:)..Thanks for the Info..

Welcome to the thread! You are always welcome

Good News if it really continues. So what's up with Sitel? Any news on their expansion there or yung training academy nila lang talaga?

Noong 2008 pa plan ng sitel ti put up a site sa poro point, but due ti financial crisis ng US di naituloy. Hopefully this year marealize na ang plan nila. Active parin ang academy nila sa sfc

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of
Labor and Employment’s (DoLE’s) National
Skills Registry System (SRS) has gained
ground in Pangasinan with the municipality
of Malasiqui as its next target for a
databank of manpower supply. This was sealed in the recent signing of a
memorandum of understanding (MoU)
among Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Rachel
Arenas, Malasiqui Mayor Armando
Domantay, Sr. and DoLE Region 1 Director
Henry John Jalbuena at the Arenas Civic Center, Pangasinan.


The MoU, which is the fourth to be signed
since December 2010, has furthered the
institutionalization of the SRS in local
government units. The first was signed by the City of San
Fernando (La Union), followed by the
municipality of Rosales (Pangasinan), and
then, municipality of Sudipen (La Union).

Jalbuena said the SRS is envisioned to
enhance the databank of manpower
supply with their corresponding skills and
qualifications for ready access of
employment service clients. “The SRS aims
to strengthen the current system of Register of labor demand from employers
that shall be available to both jobseekers
and employers through the existing Phil-
jobnet,’’ he explained. “This social pact between the DoLE and
the municipal government of Malasiqui
foreruns labor mismatch problems, which
is foremost in President Benigno S. Aquino
III’s 22-point labor platform and policy
reforms,” Jalbuena said.

The municipal government has committed
to mobilize barangay officials and
personnel to assist in the implementation
of SRS activities such as purposive data
gathering, encoding of manpower
information, storage and updating of register and preparation of reports. Jalbuena said the SRS will ensure the
availability of relevant labor market
information needed to effectivity facilitate
the employment of those unemployed and
assist business establishments in sourcing
qualified manpower to fill their existing vacancies.

Jalbuena said the SRS will ensure the
availability of relevant labor market
information needed to effectivity facilitate
the employment of those unemployed and
assist business establishments in sourcing
qualified manpower to fill their existing vacancies. The job fair offered a total of 1,546 local
job opportunities from 15 employers across
the region.

Source link: www.mb.com.ph/articles/325384/malasiqui-arenas-supports-doles-srs

San Fernando city and Sudipen 1st and 3rd, respectively ^^

Published : Monday, July 04, 2011 00:00 Article Views : 102 Lacson pushes PNP reforms Written by : Alfred Dalizon

MAMANG PULIS -- THE first Philippine National Police chief who introduced honest-to-goodness reforms will be back in
Camp Crame this year to join PNP chief Director General
Raul M. Bacalzo in calling for a sustained transformation
program in the organization. Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson will be the guest of honor and
speaker in today’s flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame to
kick off the 16th Police-Community Relations Month. It will
be the second time this year that Lacson will speak before
his former officers and men and the first time that he will
be given an honor parade 10 years after he was forced to resign as the country’s top policeman.

Lacson surfaced last March 26 after more than a year in
hiding abroad to avoid what he called as persecution from
the former Arroyo government. Weeks later, he was the
guest of honor and speaker when the PNP Foundation, Inc.
donated more than a million pesos worth of equipment to
the Crime Laboratory. He is known for introducing genuine reforms in the police
force, starting with his crackdown on inept, corrupt cops
and scalawags that gave the PNP an all-time high public
satisfaction rating. Lacson became popular for his iron-fist
policy on rogue officers and criminals. He made sure that
police officers are physically fit to run after criminals, stopped policemen from using recovered stolen vehicles
and started the policy that only 15 percent of the PNP’s
budget will go to the national headquarters as the 85
percent should go to the field.

Bacalzo made sure that all those programs will continue as
part of the police transformation program. Lacson will be assisted by his underclassmen, Bacalzo and
Director Rommel DF Heredia of the Directorate for Police-
Community Relations, in honoring police officers and men
who exemplified best practices in the force that helped
them gain widespread community support in fighting
criminality and effecting reforms in the organization.

The Pampanga Police Provincial Office headed by Senior
Supt. Edgardo Tinio will be awarded for topping the ‘Best
Among the Best Practices’ in the provincial police office
level following its success in launching a sustainable police-
community relations program that mobilized the Pampanga
youths in the anti-drug campaign.

The Baguio City Police Office headed by Senior Supt. David
Lacdan topped the category in the city police office level
for its pro-active tourist-based program that helped attract
more foreign and domestic tourists in the City of Pines. The
Pura Municipal Police Station in Tarlac headed by Senior
Inspector Jovy Arceo topped the municipal police station level for initiating a year-round police-community relations
program to help local barangay residents and students.

The Meycauayan City Police Station in Bulacan headed by
Supt. Eric Noble topped the city station level for its
noteworthy programs that spawned active partnership
among the police, the local government and the civil
society.

Individual awardees are Superintendent Elsa F. Miranda
of the Tarlac Police Provincial Office-Best Police-
Community Officer, Police-Commissioned Officers’ Level;
Senior Police Officer 3 Josie P. Page of the Sta. Rosa City
Police Station in Laguna, Best PCR Officer, Non-
Commissioned Officers’ Level; Supt. Nino David L. Rabaya- DPCR Police Commissioned Officer of the Year; SPO3
Francisco B. Licos, DPCR Police-Non-Commissioned Officer
of the Year; Non-Uniformed Personnel Reynaldo K. Eparwa
and Ma. Myla C. Wagan-DPCR NUPs of the Year; Bauang, La
Union Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. de Guzman as Best
Local Chief Executive of the Year; and the PNP Foundation, Incorporated led by its president Rafael P. Dizon III, for its
sustained effort in helping the PNP’s peace and order
campaign.

Today will also be the start of the observance of the 16th
Police-Community Relations Month. Presidential
Proclamation No. 764 signed on January 24, 2005 made the
month of July every year as “Police Community Relations
Month”. This year’s theme, “Matatag na Ugnayan ng Mamamayan at
Kapulisan Tungo sa Mapayapa at Ligtas na Pamayanan”,
reflects on the intensified drive of the PNP against all
forms of criminalities and lawlessness in cooperation with
the community which had given community-policing a big
boost, said Bacalzo.

“The help extended by all stakeholders especially in every
locality helps us in policing and in our anti-criminality
campaign,” Bacalzo said.

Sourcelink: www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/8659-lacson-pushes-pnp-reforms

^^

Bauang Mayor Martin de Guzman III is PNP's best local government executive of the year 2010 :cheers: :banana: :applause:

La Union, Philippines – Travelers planning a holiday in La Union, Philippines will surely be pleased with Thunderbird Resort Poro Point’s user-friendly reservations system. The resort has recently improved its online services by adding a booking engine onto its website, http://www.thunderbird- asia.com/poro.html. This innovative new feature, powered by DirectWithHotels, makes the process of booking accommodations on the Internet easier, faster, and safer for guests.

Right after clicking the bright “Reserve Now” button on the resort’s website, all guests have to do next is specify their desired date of arrival and departure, choose a room type, and then pay the required 10% deposit guarantee. The deposit ensures that the reserved room will be available and ready upon the guest’s arrival at the resort. An e- mail confirmation will be sent to the guest once the deposit has been made. The balance is then payable at the hotel.

Thunderbird Resort Poro Point is a 5-star resort in La Union, Philippines that offers Mediterranean-inspired
accommodations and world-class services. Each living space is elegantly equipped with plush furniture and modern conveniences such as HD LCD TV
with home theater surround system, free Wi-Fi access, iPod docking station with speakers, electronic safety box, and pantry with coffee and tea making facilities.

Aside from providing top-rated room amenities, splendid facilities are also offered at this La Union resort. Restaurants (Olives Restaurant, Patio Santorini, and Vegas Café), bars (Pool bar, Cabana bar), the Santorini swimming pool, Fiesta Casino, and a half-court basketball area are just among the many selections available to cater to any pleasurable endeavor.

This accommodations provider in San Fernando City, La Union is only 15 minutes from the town of San Juan, the Surfing Capital of the North. It is also just an hour’s drive from Baguio, which is famously known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines. It is also near notable tourist attractions like La Union Botanical Garden, Christ the Redeemer, Kasay Marine Sanctuary, Children’s Park, Engineered Sanitary Landfill, and the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone.

More popularly known as the Garden Coast because of its sprawling botanical gardens, La Union—the regional center of Ilocos region—boasts of world- class surf breaks. The province offers a welcoming sanctuary from the humid and sometimes scorching weather of Manila. To catch better sea waves, the best time to visit La Union is from May to June and October to March.

To learn more about Thunderbird Resort Poro Point’s online reservation system and to book online, simply log on to http:// www.thunderbird-asia.com/
poro.html

Source link: www.express-press-release.net/free/book-a-fuss-free-holiday-at-thunderbird-resort-poro-point-with-its-user-friendly-reservation-system/press-release/2011/07/04/?refid=0

kailan magbubukas ang Pancake house sa ONP? May nag-occupy narin ba sa ibang pwesto ng ONP?

update: mcdo agoo is for construction na. Expect construction to begin anytime from now

update: mcdo agoo is for construction na. Expect construction to begin anytime from now

:banana::banana::banana:

alanganin nga lang yung isa pa sanang mcdo sa sfc, according to a realiable source, kontra sa another mcdo ang may ari ng franchise ng mcdo sfc

kailan magbubukas ang Pancake house sa ONP? May nag-occupy narin ba sa ibang pwesto ng ONP?

no idea. pancake house is not yet being constructed at the moment at ONP. i wonder why? so far no other leasees yet.

Miramonte Beach Resort is the oldest resort in La Union having been established pre-war. It is the only resort hotel located near the intenational seaport, regional airport and walking distance to the Fiesta Casino. It is a private property but located within the government declared PORO POINT SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE.

Soon a hotel and golf course will be established within the Casino grounds.

Miramonte Beach Resort has a restaurant bar, 16 individual hotel rooms and 2 conference rooms, all partly operational.

For the convenience of foreign guest, it is 20 meters away form the Regional Office of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation. Safe and peaceful i adjoins the Philippine Navy grounds.

Miramonte Beach Resort is bounded on the west by a cove, the favorite water skiing area of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

link: http://launion.mlsdirectory.net.ph/bestproperties/properties/miramonte.html
the resort is owned and managed by the Dulay Family, same owner of Long Beach Resort and Nalinac Beach Resort.

no idea. pancake house is not yet being constructed at the moment at ONP. i wonder why? so far no other leasees yet.
Thanks sa update!
Matagal tagal narin since naglagay na sila ng malaking tarp sa pwesto nila.baka wala pa silang na-hire na crews

the resort is owned and managed by the Dulay Family, same owner of Long Beach Resort and Nalinac Beach Resort.

Ang dami pala nilang resort na pag aari. Sa kanila rin yata yung villa navarro sa caba. They are the province' resort tycoon huh.

from a blog at langyaw.com
source link: http://langyaw.com/2011/05/14/santorini-inspired-architecture-at-poro-point/

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/thunderbirds_2.jpg

It was ubiquitous as the blue domed white structure got visible from the distance. Thunderbird Resorts sits, ensconced at the tongue of land that is the peninsula of Poro Point in La Union, the only five star resort in Northern Luzon as of this writing.

It was a great relief as we finally, after 5 hours on the road from Manila, drove up the main building in all its white washed glory whose architecture has been inspired by the traditional structures of Santorini Island in Greece. Mention of that far off place not only brings historical facts of one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history but more for its beautiful bleached whited buildings that are perched on the rugged terrain of that ancient caldera.

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/thunderbirds_1.jpg

Like its inspiration, Thunderbird Resorts is also atop a promontory spanning 65 hectares of undulating hills, 100 foot cliffs and giving a beautiful view of the sea that, at the time we were there, was rather dramatic as dark clouds pregnant with rainwater hovered above. The sight was just memorable. Like impressionistic paintings of the masters.

I just like its architecture. The smooth clean lines, block like with its arcade. An open air structure that is both inviting and invigorating to the tired soul and body. Despite its minimalistic approach, there are still surprises. The dome itself seems to be the piece de resistance, where everything else revolves around. Inside, a peek up does provide a beautiful monochromatic (blue hued) artwork.

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/thunderbirds_6.jpg

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/thunderbirds_5.jpg
Spacious rooms of the resort.

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/thunderbirds_4.jpg

The area is large. With its casino, restaurants with good food, golf course and sports facilities, and eventually, the residences that will be built later on. From the main building going to the sea, is a swimming pool in an aptly landscaped area while the sea is untouched left to its rugged state.

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/thunderbirds_3.jpg
Pool area with a view of the hotel building.

But its not all beautiful and rosy though. The benches and sheds along the coastline can be an eyesore and a bit garish even with its tri-toned color scheme. It would have been better if the structures were built in consonance with the minimalist architecture of the main building or in harmony with the environment but what you have is rather detached and imposing.

The place is actually still in development and many areas are barren or undeveloped considering that this is a five star hotel and resort. It can be a bit untidy to look at but I think, a few years from now, it will be transformed into one big landscaped area.

If given a chance to linger more, I would have just sat on a chair at the verandah of the main building or at the rooms and stared for hours at the sea, contemplating on the vagaries of life while observing nature: the changing tides, the brooding sky and fading sun as day turns to night.

Thunderbird Resorts
Poro Point, La Union
www.thunderbirdresorts.com
(+6372) 888-7777

photos are from POD website
link: http://podweddings.com/tag/thunderbird-wedding/

http://podweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/022.jpg

http://podweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/03-edited1.jpg

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http://podweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/111.jpg

more of John-Prescilla wedding photos from http://podweddings.com/tag/thunderbird-wedding/

http://podweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/141.jpg

http://podweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/15.jpg

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http://podweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/18.jpg

http://podweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/19.jpg

Family Vacation 2010: La Union
Posted on July 4, 2011 by noelombrog
link: http://travelbuglogs.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/family-vacation-2010-la-union/

From Vigan, and the Santa photo-op, we proceeded to our programmed overnight stop at San Fernando, La Union. Our destination is Sunset Beach Resort.



http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/wigp9736.jpg?w=300&h=199

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/wigp9737.jpg?w=300&h=199
Across the Bar

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/wigp9756.jpg?w=300&h=199
Mini Library

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/wigp9740.jpg?w=199&h=300
Native Crafts on Shelf

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/sunsetbeachfront-web.jpg?w=640&h=169
Sunset beachfront

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/launionbeach-02w.jpg?w=640&h=166
Formerly Wallace Air Station

More of Sunset Beach Resort from http://travelbuglogs.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/family-vacation-2010-la-union/

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/wigp9867.jpg?w=300&h=199

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/sunsetpoolareanight-01w.jpg?w=300&h=135
Pool

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http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/wigp9879.jpg?w=300&h=198
Grilled Tuna

http://travelbuglogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/wigp9878.jpg?w=300&h=199
Vegetables

After dinner, we lounged around for a while. Since the wind was picking-up, we decided to turn in early. The next day, we went to the city (San Fernando) to have breakfast at McDonald’s. Later, we returned to the resort so that the kids can take their last dip in the pool. Meanwhile we drank coffee in a hut by the beach. We were considering going up to Baguio via the Naguilian Road. However, dark clouds were rolling in from the west. The winds were picking up. We remembered that the bridge in La Union was under repair; vehicles had to detour along the riverbed to cross to the other side. If the rains fall in torrents, we could get stranded in La Union. So we packed our things and checked out post haste. Baguio would have to wait for another time. It was raining hard when we left the resort. Luckily, it was only drizzling when we had to cross the riverbed. We were safely on our way back to Manila.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/263150_10150700161540383_681855382_19588810_2635880_n.jpg

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http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260115_10150700159150383_681855382_19588800_4541052_n.jpg

Photos from: Rey Balingit Bonifacio (http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260115_10150700159150383_681855382_19588800_4541052_n.jpg)

Ang dami pala nilang resort na pag aari. Sa kanila rin yata yung villa navarro sa caba. They are the province' resort tycoon huh.
nope...iba ang may ari ang villa navarro sa caba, hindi dulay.

ngee akala ko sila ang may ari

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/promotion/zest.jpg

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/promotion/golf.jpg

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/promotion/p1.jpg

Visit their website at http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/

THE NATIONAL Tobacco Administration (NTA) is providing as much as P222 million worth of assistance to tobacco farmers to enable them to plant rice as well, an official of the agency said.


In a telephone interview over the weekend, NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza said the assistance will consist of loans to enable tobacco farmers to plant rice when their main crop is not in season.

The tobacco crop year, he said, runs from October to June.

“We are giving this rice planting assistance while they (tobacco farmers) are not planting tobacco. These farmers will start planting tobacco in October,” he said.

The funds, Mr. Zaragoza said, will be given to accredited cooperatives, which will then lend to their members.

The agency, he said, started distributing checks to tobacco farm cooperatives on Friday last week in the provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra and Mindoro.

Beneficiary farmers are expected to plant palay in over 1,242 hectares of land, Mr. Zaragoza said.

In a statement yesterday, he said that apart from P22 million worth of loan assistance that are being distributed, NTA was prepared to provide P200 million more in loans to help farmers in other aspects of the business.

“We understand that in order to be more productive, viable, and relevant, tobacco farmers have to participate in all facets of production, training and marketing,” Mr. Zaragoza explained.

He said that planting of rice by tobacco farmers during the wet season should help the country reach its production target for the grain. The country aims to increase by 10.3% to 17.4 million metric tons (MT) the production of unmilled rice this year.

Palay output reached 15.77 million MT last year, down 3.07% from the level recorded in 2009 due to a dry spell in the first half and storms that struck towards yearend.

Palay production reached 4.037 million MT in the first quarter of 2011, 15.63% more than a year ago. -- L. D. Desiderio

source link: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=Tobacco-farmers-get-government-assistance-to-diversify&id=34123

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270124_234866533198619_204145946270678_909548_5119219_n.jpg

REVIVING BARORO WATERSHED: LU VOLUNTEERS GO GREEN. Volunteers from the Provincial Government of La Union, Municipal Government of San Gabriel, Philippine National Police – San Gabriel and Tanim Kalikasan, Inc. conducted a simultaneous tree-planting activity in Barangays Balbalayang and Bayabas, San Gabriel, La Union on June 28, 2011 in implementation of the Baroro Watershed Native Forest Development Project. The volunteers planted Philippine Dipterocarps and other saplings native to the virgin forests of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range to proliferate the ecosystem of Baroro watershed, which is a major water source for San Fernando City, San Juan and parts of Bacnotan.

Photo By: Jonah Avegail C. Gaerlan, PITO-LU

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=234866533198619&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater)

Get 360-degree views at Thunderbird Resort Poro Point

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/standardp.jpg
Standard room accomodations http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Room.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/facade.jpg
Resort's facade http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Facade_Day.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/olives.jpg
Fine dining at Olives Restaurant http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Olives.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/reception.jpg
Reception lobby http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Reception.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/vegas.jpg
Vegas Restaurant http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Vegas.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/hole4.jpg
Hole 4 http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Hole4.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/pool_poro.jpg
Pool http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Pool_New.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/hole9.jpg
Hole 9 http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Hole9_New.html

http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/images/thumbs/casinop.jpg
Poro Point Fiesta Casino http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/Poro/Poro_Casino.html

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/265046_228256650528615_144790318875249_774617_7029681_n.jpg

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http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270922_228256747195272_144790318875249_774623_7180125_n.jpg

Photos from: Villa Marand Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=228256650528615&set=a.228256647195282.58161.144790318875249&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=228256747195272&set=a.228256647195282.58161.144790318875249&type=1&theater&pid=774623&id=144790318875249)

^^ follow up update, para sa kids. Under construction ngayon ang Aqua Play.

With Villa Marand in Bauang in bustling development, matutuloy paba kaya yung Juanita Resort and Hotel sa katabi lang niya?

i saw today workers are now doing construction works on pancake house at ONP. thanks goodness. good for SFC.

i saw today workers are now doing construction works on pancake house at ONP. thanks goodness. good for SFC.

Hay salamat. Nabasa siguro nila itong site na ito :jk:

I'm excited para dito! Sana may mga popular branches na ang magoccupy sa stalls ng onp :banana:

pnr plans to redevelop its la union line. What does it mean? I found at this thread an article related to this. The thread is about the redevelopment of tutuban mall in manila www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=80963082#post80963082

Nutrition Month kicks off in La
Union

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union
July 6 (PIA) -- The celebration of
the 37th Nutrition Month kicks-
off Monday, July 4, at the
People’s Hall, City of San
Fernando, this province with the Theme: “Isulong ang
Breastfeeding – Tama, Sapat at
Eksklusibo (TSEK)”.

The event is a joint launching of
this year’s celebration and also
the regional nutrition committee
cum local media conference. Part of the highlights is a lecture
on breastfeeding / counselling
given by Emily M. Laroya, Nurse
III, City Health Office where she
discussed on the importance and
benefits, policy initiatives, advantages, psychological and
emotional effects of
breastfeeding, as well as the
disadvantages and negative
effects of artificial of bottle
feeding.

There was also a contest on
“Proper Breastfeeding” where 13
mothers and their babies from
the City of San Fernando were
rated based on proper cuddling,
the emotional attachment, how the baby sucks from the mother’s
breast, and baby’s weight
improvement.

During the event, Director
Victoria N. Mañez, National
Nutrition Council 1 Regional
Coordinator emphasized on this
year’s theme which is: “promote,
protect and support good breastfeeding practices.”

Breastfeeding, Mañez said,
provides maternal benefits like
physiological, emotional and
financial, as it lessens the
possibility of mother’s acquiring
various types of infection, anemia, cervical and breast
cancer, helps delay anew
pregnancy for six months, helps
emotional bonding and
development between the
mother and child, and it saves them from the expensive cost of
infant formulas.

This also aims to increase the
number of exclusive
breastfeeding or giving babies
only breastmilk and no other
liquid, like water and vitamin
supplements and solid foods for a period of six months because
breastmilk provides the ideal/
complete food nutrient that the
infant needs, Mañez added.

An open forum was also
conducted enjoining the Regional
Organization for Nutrition
Development Advocates, the
Association of Regional
Government Information Officers, the private sector and different
line-agencies. (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La
Union)

Source link: www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=41983

from TPLUEx thread

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/325436/banks-sign-p115b-term-loan-tplex-road-project

Banks sign P11.5-B term loan for TPLEx road project
July 5, 2011, 3:06am

MANILA, Philippines — BDO Capital and Investment Corporation and Development Bank of the Philippines, the joint arrangers announced the signing of the Loan Agreement between Private Infra Dev Corporation and the syndicate of banks led by BDO Unibank, Inc., Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines last June 2, 2011 at the Garden Ballroom, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Witnessing the signing ceremony are Rogelio L. Singson, Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Chairperson of BDO Unibank, Inc., Ms. Tessie Sy-Coson, the Chairman of DMCI Holdings, David M. Consunji, the past presidents of the Philippine Constructors Association led by Felipe F. Cruz, Alfredo V. Asuncion, Rogelio C. Lombos, Emilio Tumbocon, incumbent PCA President, Levi Espiritu and PCA Directors and Officers.

Shown in the picture are the signatories seated in 2nd row from left: Eduardo Francisco, President of BDO Capital and Investment Corp.; Joseph Pineda, Director of Rapid Thoroughfares Inc.; Samson C. Lazo, President of Private Infra Dev Corporation; Jorge A. Consunji, President of DM Consunji, Inc.; Francisco F. Del Rosario, Jr.; President of Development Bank of the Philippines; Ferdinand K. Constantino, Director of Rapid Thoroughfares Inc.; Nestor Tan, President of BDO Unibank, Inc.; Isidro A. Consunji, President of DMCI Holdings, Inc.; Ms. Hilda Pico, President of Land Bank of the Philippines; Hans Wassmer, Senior Executive Vice-President of BDO Unibank, Inc.; and Delfin J. Wenceslao, Jr., President of DMWenceslao & Associates, Inc.

Seated in the front row from left are the other signatories: Jose Amado Angeles, Senior Vice President of JVAngeles Construction Corporation; Anthony L. Fernandez, President of First Balfour, Inc.; Gerardo V. Pancho, President of CMPancho Construction, Inc.; Antonio S. Evangelista, Chairman of New Kanlaon Construction, Inc.; Ms. Myra C. Reinoso, Chief Financial Officer of Private Infra Dev Corporation;. Noelito D. Policarpio, President of RDPolicarpio & Co., Inc.; Augusto F. Manalo, President of JEManalo & Co.; John A. Bautista, President of Rockford Development Corp.; Roberto L. Castillo, President of EEI Corporation.

Private Infra Dev Corporation is a consortium of 10 Filipino constructors and SMC/Rapid Thoroughfares Inc. who won in a solicited bidding the award for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Project. This is the first PPP Project with all Filipino expertise and local financing to undertake such a major infrastructure project in accordance with the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) Law.

Construction of the 88.5 kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union expressway (TPLEx) is well under way as the government is set to bid out the operation and maintenance (O&M) for the linked up light rail transit line 1 and metro rail transit line on July 11.

Works are being done up to Gerona, Tarlac from the end of Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway in La Paz town in Tarlac. The target is to have that stretch be asphalted and operational by the middle of next year. Right-of-way problems in the TPLEx have been set aside and which paved the way for the ground works of the road construction.

The four-lane highway spans 88.5 kilometers from La Paz, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union and would connect to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway.

The new highway, originally set for completion in 2013.

The Palace is making the right move by rejecting new or
higher taxes in the immediate term, which could make an
impact on the tobacco industry, the Philippine Tobacco
Growers Association Inc. (PTGA) said Tuesday. The PTGA was reacting to President Benigno Aquino III’s
rejection of the proposal by the New York-based Standard
and Poor’s to boost the government’s revenue intake as a
prelude to a credit upgrade.

PTGA president Winston Uy noted that Philippine tobacco
and alcohol commodities are already some of the most
heavily taxed products in the world. “As experienced in other countries such as Singapore and
Hong Kong, their governments just lose revenue by over-
taxing alcohol and cigarettes as counterfeit and smuggled
products dramatically increase in number as a result," Uy
said.

Uy added that an increase in excise tax rates will negatively
affect the livelihood of some 50,000 tobacco farmers located
principally in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos
Norte, Cagayan, and Isabela. In March, however, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said
raising sin taxes shoots two birds with one stone: monopoly and tax efficiency. — PE/VS, GMA News

Related link: www.m.yahoo.com/w/news_asia/tobacco-group-commends-palace-move-vs-higher-taxes-152608494.html?orig_host_hdr=ph.news.yahoo.com&.intl=ph&.lang=en-ph

from a blog by: phoebeann
link: http://www.phoebeann.me/wiped-out-and-loaded-at-la-union?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wiped-out-and-loaded-at-la-union

Montemar Village, San Juan
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Macho Temple, San Fernando City
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San Juan Surf Resort
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ANOTHER BRIDGE OF LOVE ERECTED - Development partners (from right to left) led by the Northern Philippines Tribal Communities Development Center headed by Executive Director Manuel C. Ano; Swiss Government represented by Hon. Juerg Casserini, Charge d’ affaires of the Swiss Embassy in the Philippines; Municipal Government of Rosario led by Mayor Bellarmin A. Flores III; and the Provincial Government of La Union represented by Mr. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, Supervising Administrative Officer of the Office of the Provincial Governor, during the blessing and inauguration of the 127-meter long Tabtabungao-Cataguintingan Steel Matting Suspension Footbridge in Rosario, La Union held on July 1, 2011.

from: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=237831646235441&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater)

by La Union Information and Tourism on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 9:04pm


The La Union Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) joins in the nationwide celebration of this year’sSMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE WEEK with its theme: “Pinoy SME: Business Tayo!” The La Union SMED Council chaired byMr. Robert Lim (President of Chamber of Commerce & Industry-La Union) and Co-chaired by Hon. Manuel C. Ortega (Governor of La Union) enjoins its member-agencies and SME Partners to hang streamers during the SMED Week to remind the public of the importance of SMEs in influencing development and sustainable growth through their contribution to the creation of wealth, employment, and income generation in the countryside.



This year, the La Union SMEDC endorsed the nomination of Crissani Apparell for the SME Star Elite Award, being the SME Rising Star Awardee of the province of La Union. The Council likewise, has signified its commitment in pushing the SME Development Agenda for the next five years and this will form part of the SME Pledge Book to be presented to HE President Benigno S. Aquinoduring the SME Summit on 07 July 2011 at the Philippine Trade Training Center.



As highlight of the 2011 SME Week Celebration in La Union, the following activities are scheduled to be undertaken at the Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, San Fernando City, La Union on 06 July 2011:



· Opening Program/Financing Forum

· Awarding Ceremonies (DSWD’s SEA-K beneficiaries and DTIs SME Rising Star)



A motorcade to be participated in by the La Union SMED Council members will start the SME Week celebration in the morning of 06 July 2011. Likewise, a Skills Demo on Massage which is spearheaded by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will also be simultaneously conducted at the Bahay Kubo, in front of City Hall of San Fernando City, La Union in the afternoon of 06 July 2011.

From: La Union Information and Tourism FAcebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=237831646235441&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater#!/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/la-union-smed-council-celebrates-2011-small-and-medium-enterprise-week/237833756235230)

By: Abigail D. Ancheta-Cabilin, PITO-LU



Launched early December last year, LUVWI’s “Candy For A Cause” educational scholarship fund raising program was able to send to school 18 poor yet deserving students from La Union municipalities to take up vocational-technical courses and relevant college degrees.

And to continue with its goals to uplift lives of poor families in La Union, LUVWI continues with its school caravan to all municipalities of La Union to conduct Seminar on Common Diseases in Children to trim down the number of affected children. Simultaneous with the seminar, LUVWI members and officers led by Madame Geraldine R. Ortega, also distribute umbrellas for parents, raincoats and slippers for the pupils in time for the rainy season including school supplies. Most importantly, Madam Deny leads in handing out Rosaries and teaching them personally on the proper way of using it.

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LUVWI Chairman Madame Geraldine R. Ortega with San Gabriel Mayor Divina D. Velasco distributes school supplies at Lacong Elementary School, San Gabriel, La Union as part of the LUVWI’s School Caravan.

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=237831646235441&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater#!/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/luvwis-candy-for-a-cause-soars-into-the-next-level-by-abigail-d-ancheta-cabilin-/237856726232933)

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Photo from: Bobby Baradi

sana ay ginagawa na ang sports center ng bauang.

pnr plans to redevelop its la union line. What does it mean? I found at this thread an article related to this. The thread is about the redevelopment of tutuban mall in manila www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=80963082#post80963082
if it's planned and designed by palafox, it must be huge. i find it hard to imagine how will they rehabilitate the PNR lines in LU when most of the ROWs have already been converted into bypass or alternate roads.

For years, when my family spent summers and All Saints’ and All Souls’ holidays in my father’s hometown, Bauang in La Union, the first order of each day was to hit the beach. We were confined to that area, breathing in the sea air and getting as much swim time as we were allowed for the too-few days before going back for that long eight-hour trek home.
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/files/2011/07/micky_1-300x200.jpg
But our most recent visit was different because the first agenda was to hit the table.

Mary Jane Ortega, former mayor of San Fernando City and wife of La Union Congressman Victor Ortega, had a long table ready for this sort of family homecoming. It would take weeks after to trace the connection between our two families. It was always hinted, however, and though my siblings and I were curious, we never bothered to ask my late father.

But this trip was not only about rediscovering family, but also... Read More (http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/5014/fine-ilocano-feast-in-la-union)

Dipolog City Police named one of the best in Philippines
Friday, July 08, 2011 12:25:00 AM

DIPOLOG CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 7, 2011) - The Dipolog City police station is now among the country’s best, according to a recent assessment of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The evaluation was part of an annual assessment by the PNP on all police stations in the country.

Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr, head of the Field Evaluation and Validation for Unit Award, said the local police station is now among the top three "Best Component City Police Stations" in the country. The other contenders for the award are San Fernando City Police Station in La Union province and Mati City Police Station in Davao del Sur province.

Garbo said that the standard criteria set by the PNP as basis for judging included the Administrative and Operational Concern and the performance of the police station.

The Best City Police Station which will receive plaque and supplies from the PNP will be known during the 20th Anniversary on August 8. (Alfonso T. Ruda)
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20110707122500

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267673_1794064104039_1612790914_31346105_4367046_n.jpg

Photo from: Bobby Baradi
the grandstand at the LUNHS in SFC is now totally dilapidated and hoping some concerned groups would have the heart and deep pockets to rebuild it together with its track and field area.

if it's planned and designed by palafox, it must be huge. i find it hard to imagine how will they rehabilitate the PNR lines in LU when most of the ROWs have already been converted into bypass or alternate roads.

and in addition to, many houses have already been put up even inside the 10-meter wide property of PNR, aabot pa ng patayan ang pagpapatayo ng mga bahay sa halos gilid ng riles

Dipolog City Police named one of the best in Philippines
Friday, July 08, 2011 12:25:00 AM

DIPOLOG CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 7, 2011) - The Dipolog City police station is now among the country’s best, according to a recent assessment of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The evaluation was part of an annual assessment by the PNP on all police stations in the country.

Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr, head of the Field Evaluation and Validation for Unit Award, said the local police station is now among the top three "Best Component City Police Stations" in the country. The other contenders for the award are San Fernando City Police Station in La Union province and Mati City Police Station in Davao del Sur province.

Garbo said that the standard criteria set by the PNP as basis for judging included the Administrative and Operational Concern and the performance of the police station.

The Best City Police Station which will receive plaque and supplies from the PNP will be known during the 20th Anniversary on August 8. (Alfonso T. Ruda)
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20110707122500

we could recall the San Fernando City Police' past achievement when they captured the most wanted murderer from Pampanga. I salute the SFC Police for maintaining peace and order in the city despite low police-population ratio. San Fernando City indeed is a peaceful city:cheers:

the grandstand at the LUNHS in SFC is now totally dilapidated and hoping some concerned groups would have the heart and deep pockets to rebuild it together with its track and field area.

diba under La Union government iyan? oo nga sana nga naman i-renovate narin ang mga facilities ng La Union High. nakakaawa naman sa mga estudyante. hindi na siya conducive for learning. Noong nag-brigada eskwela nalang sa La Union high last year, sumama ako. The classrooms are in bad shape and needs total renovation.

Noong nabubuhay pa ang mother ko siya noon ang nag-aalocate ng budget para sa LUNHS. She was working kasi sa highways

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union July 8 (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) seeks to award land-based and sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who, despite the distance, absence, pressure that comes between them and their families, still manage to keep their relationships intact and maintained the moral values of a model Filipino family.

OWWA opens the door for recognizing these OFWs with their Search for the 7th Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) 2011 and is now accepting nominations here in the region and abroad provided these OFW families are living here in the Philippines..

According to Amapola Z. Villar, labor communication officer, Regional Welfare Office 1, the search is one way of acknowledging the outstanding efforts and determination of OFWs and their dependents in preserving a strong family bond and highlight the exemplary ways of OFWs and their families to conquer challenges of migration.

The criteria for nominations are:

- The family is headed by an OFW (land-based or sea-based), either married or single, and presently working abroad with valid proof of OWWA membership;

- OFW does not have an immigrant status in the foreign country and must possess valid working permit or employment documents;

- OFW has at least 4 years of work experience abroad;

- OFW family is known as solid/ stable family in the locality; and

- OFW Family is Financially Stable

All nominations should be endorsed by any non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations, religious associations, and local government units. No individual nominations will be entertained nor accepted.

Evaluation shall be conducted by a screening committee composed of national government agencies, NGOs, and church-based organizations.

As a general rule, winners in the regional search will represent the region at the national level.

Villar also reminded that nomination forms are available at the OWWA Regional Office1, Zambrano Building, this city, or downloadable at www.owwa.gov.ph. For inquiries, email at owwalaunion@yahoo.com with the subject MOFYA NOMINEE or at facebook account - OWWA La Union/OWWA Region I. (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La Union with reports from OWWA – RWO1)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=42429

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 8 (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 1 (OWWA1) has opened the 2012-2013 scholarships to active OWWA member Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) with beneficiaries/dependents currently enrolled or graduates of fourth year high school.

According to OWWA1 labor communication officer Amapola Z. Villar, the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) offers a four to five year baccalaureate course in any institution accredited by the Commission on Higher Education on the condition that they pass the qualifying exam and should be one among the top 100 passers nationwide.

Another condition, Villar said, aspirants must not have taken any previous vocational courses or college degree.

OFWs who are active OWWA members, either sea-based or land-based, are those that are actively working on-site, on vacation, or those whose contracts have been earlier terminated but membership has not expired.

Part of the scholarship grant is a financial assistance worth Php 30, 000 per semester or Php 60,000 per year, and Php 90,000 per year in trimester schools provided they have complied with the scholarship agreement.

The scholarship grant shall continue until completion of the course regardless of the status of OFW membership, Villar added.

Application forms are available at OWWA Regional Office l, Zambrano Building, City of San Fernando, La Union, or interested applicants may download the forms at www.owwa.gov.ph website.

For inquiries, applicants may search OWWA’s facebook account by typing OWWA Launion or OWWA Region I., or send an email to owwalaunion@yahoo.com and include the subject EDSP application. (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La Union with reports from OWWA-RO1)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=42424

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union July 7 (PIA) -- This year’s nationwide celebration of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Week carries the theme: “Pinoy SME: Business Tayo!” Here in La Union, SME is strongly supported by various sectors initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – regional and provincial offices in partnership with the La Union Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LUCCCI) and the provincial government of La Union (PGLU).

According to DTI-LU’s senior trade and industry specialist and SME Officer Clarita Antonio, the La Union Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) enjoins all its member-agencies and SME partners in the hanging of streamers to signal the start of the celebration which starts from July 3-9, 2011.

This will also serve as a reminder on the importance and role of SMEs in pushing and contributing to the development and sustainable growth of the economy thru employment and income generation in the countryside, Antonio added.

The event started Wednesday, July 6 in the province with a motorcade by the SMED Council members in the morning and a skills demo on massage by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, simultaneously conducted at the Bahay Kubo, in front of the San Fernando City Hall.

Highlights of the celebration were the Financing Forum and the Awarding Ceremonies for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Self-Assistance Kaunlaran beneficiaries and DTI’s SME Rising Star.

This year, the La Union SMEDC endorsed the nomination of Crissani Apparell for the SME Star Elite Award, being the SME Rising Star awardee of the province.

Meanwhile, the council has signified its commitment in pushing the SME Development Agenda for the next five years and this will form part of the SME pledge book to be presented to President Benigno S. Aquino during the SME Summit on July 7, 2011 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Manila. (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La Union with reports from DTI-LU)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=42205

BY RUELLE ALBERT D. CASTRO

It’s just 700 or so days to June 30, 2013, and Sen. Manuel Villar is looking forward to the end of his second six-year term so he can go back to what he does best: developing raw land and building houses.

Villar said by 2013, he would be 21 years in politics and that’s long enough. He is raring to go back to business, focusing on consolidating and expanding his flagship brand Vista Land and Lifescape Inc.

"Two years na lang ako," Villar said.

Villar bid goodbye to his Camella Homes and Palmera Homes development in 1992 for a successful run for the lone seat of Las Piñas in the House. He spent the maximum three three-year terms there, becoming Speaker in 1998, before winning a seat in the Senate in 2001.

He was re-elected in 2007 and made an unsuccessful run for the presidency in 2010.

Villar said Vista Land is expecting to make its presence felt in 70 municipalities by next year, after targeting to close the current year with 58 towns.

He said the same recipe that drove Vista Land to success – affordable homes in a wholesome environment – will ensure the company’s growth.

Villar said the company’s land bank is so diversified that Vista Land can tap into any market appropriate for the demand.

"Metro Manila has only 20 percent of the population," he said.

Villar, however, said Vista Land recognizes the opportunities in the condominium market.

"We (also) will continue to improve on our verticals," he said.

Villar said Vista Land is also beefing up it rental space as the company moves closer to its target of P1 billion revenue from the leasing business.

Commercial, business process outsourcing and office spaces remain a premium, he said.

The group, moreover, is looking into power and water distribution, mining and other "sunrise industries," Villar said.

The mining business of the Villar Group is handled by Polar Holdings Corp., an acquisition.

Villar also said the group might venture abroad as well, targeting countries where his group’s expertise can add value.

Vista Land’s business is grouped around the subsidiaries Brittany, Crown Asia, Camella and Vista Residences.

Among its latest projects is the 300-hectare Sta. Elena development in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, at a cost of P5 billion.

The site will be devoted to neighborhood centers, commercial developments and BPO and offices.

Camella, the original brand which laid the backbone for the Villar Group business, is aggressively expanding into key locations nationwide.

Among the areas where it is targeting expansion are Ilocos Sur, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Batangas, Quezon, Davao, Butuan, Agusan, Zamboanga and the Bicol provinces.

Vista has allocated P45 billion in capital expenditures from 2011 until 2013.

source link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/july07/busi1.html

Researcher: AM Reyes, CC Domingo, CA Orallo, LP Calacal, RD Medrano, PB Gayo

Generator: DENR-1

Description:

The project, Bamboo Plantation and Development in La Union, was implemented under the Community Livelihood Assistance Special Program (CLASP). This is one strategy in forest resources management responsive in alleviating upland poverty and promoting the growing bamboo resource-based industry. Sixty

hectares bamboo plantation in San Fernando City were established with four peoples’ organization (POs), the beneficiaries of the project. The project aimed to establish additional plantation areas to sustain the growing handicraft industry of the City, and to generate alternative and additional source of income of upland farmers, and adopt the technologies on bamboo plantation and management. However the project was terminated and was turned over to the PO under the supervision of the local government. Normally, when a government program or project is turned over to the PO, the project’s sustainability is put at stake. The case of this project was far different, because the LGU and the PO played important roles in ensuring that the activities were sustained. The project served as a showcase and a learning venue on how the POs managed their livelihood projects to become an enterprise. The study basically aimed to assess the partnership of the DENR, the LGU and the POs in the implementation of the various activities of the project which will serve as a source of information and a learning laboratory toward the making of a livelihood into an enterprise development.

Findings:

· Social. Majority (80%) of the beneficiaries have increased their understanding and appreciation on the importance of bamboo. Before, bamboo was just a mere resource, now bamboo is considered a wonder resource with multiple use. Active participation by the beneficiaries was also observed. The men and women were involved in the different activities in the bamboo project from the site preparation to marketing of bamboo products. The environmental awareness was also enhanced as manifested in increased membership and non-members engaging in bamboo farming. Today, there is 20% increase in membership.

· Technical Feasibility. Continues adoption and utilization of technology on bamboo production (propagation, plantation, protection, and maintenance, harvesting). The One-Node and Two-Node planting was adopted

· Economic. The project has provided additional income by 15-20%. Though their income from the project cannot be isolated from their earnings, this supplemental income contributed in meeting the needs of the family. Likewise, there was an increase production of raw materials for the bamboo industry by 10-15% for every hectare plantation. An individual engaged in kuribot (crates and basket) manufacturing can get an income of Php28,896.00 a year or P240.80.day by investing a capital of P17,304.00 for material and labor costs.

· Ecological Impact. The once inadequately stocked areas have been enriched with bamboo which will serve as protection from further erosion and stream bank denudation. Bamboo technologies were applied in both nursery and plantation establishments..

· Political. The project has challenged the local leaders to support it as their one town, one product (OTOP). As their OTOP, this commodity contributed to their economic development goals along with job generation and poverty reduction. Likewise, assistance from other GOs, NGOs and other funding institutions poured in.

source link: http://ilarrdec.mmsu.edu.ph/content/view/387/31/

http://www.hangoutphilippines.com/images/HO%20Place%20for%20friends%20498.jpg

Branch #1 - Pennsylvania Road, San Fernando City, La Union Philippines Click here for Map & Directions
Branch #2 - Baguio Coming Soon

http://www.hangoutphilippines.com/images/HO%20Place%20for%20friends%20498.jpg

Branch #1 - Pennsylvania Road, San Fernando City, La Union Philippines Click here for Map & Directions
Branch #2 - Baguio Coming Soon
same place ba ito ng dating Amber Room at Giggles?

same place ba ito ng dating Amber Room at Giggles?

di ko alam yun ah. tignan ko nalang mamaya ang location nito

2nd NATIONAL SURF INK TATTOO COMPETITION

Time:
Friday, July 29 at 9:00am - July 31 at 11:30pm

Location
URBIZTONDO SAN JUAN LA UNION PH

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Security Bank 2 - SKM Building


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Banco De Oro 3 - Tan Building

Just arrived from San Fernando. I am glad to see some changes in the city. Na-repaint na sa blue at white ang IRH gate at walls, naglagay narin ng malaking advertisement sa billboard ang The Point Residencies, and a growing commerce sa city proper. :cheers:

I hope they would repaint also the city hall and the city plaza. It is good that the city plaza is expanding at its west wing. I am also glad to see the Tomb of the Unknown soldiers monument to be repainted

bakante parin sa area ng proposed Robinsons. Sana doon nalang ang SM

I really hope that for the benefit of those students and workers from outside La Union or points of La Union far from San Fernando city, somebody would invest to build a high-rise residential tower right at the heart of the city, like this one in University belt in Manila.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252730_1707748626206_1612790914_31276528_2318455_n.jpg

Visit Hangout Philippines' Facebook Page at:
http://www.facebook.com/HangoutPhilippines

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San Fernando, La Union Mayor Pablo Ortega (in yellow vest) watches a whale shark (locally known as butanding) that went near the shore of Barangay Catbangen.

source link: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=704557

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Bethany Future Hospital 4-story Building

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Bethany Hospital Inc. (BHI) is an 80-bed tertiary hospital, licensed by the Department of Health and accredited by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Bethany Hospital is the first mission hospital outside of Metro Manila. It was established in 1921 through an anonymous donor from the USA and from contributions gathered both from the Catholic and Protestant communities in the area.

Today, Bethany Hospital has been transformed from the oldest to one of the most modern hospitals not only in La Union but also in the Ilocos Region. The hospital stands magnificently in a "small hill" in the center of town restored to its former grandeur befitting to the call of the modern ministry of healing.

Bethany Hospital is here to continuously serve the community to meet the needs of the modern medical world of quality health care service.
GOD HEALS, WE SERVE

link: http://www.bethanyhospitallu.com/

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Photo by: Carbajal Abet from Natives of La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=228256257207515&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater)

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Photo by: Alma Villa from NATIVES OF LA UNION facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150322867544665&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater&pid=9306753&id=539014664)

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Photo by: Elvy Nisperos Casilla from NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1815881637512&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater&pid=31450283&id=1254219487)

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Photo from: Elvy Nisperos Casilla via NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1814541244003&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater&pid=31448474&id=1254219487)

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Photo by: Elvy Nisperos Casilla via NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1814423961071&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater&pid=31448407&id=1254219487)

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Photo by: Elvy Nisperos Casilla via NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1814421281004&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater&pid=31448404&id=1254219487)

from a blog by Oooneh at http://ooohneh.blogspot.com/2011/06/san-fernando-city-la-union.html

The beaches of the Province of La Union is popular as the surfing waters of the North. Its capital - San Fernando City is the gateway to get to the surfing shores of San Juan. Often missed by tourists eager to get a shot at riding the waves of La Union are various sites in San Fernando City of cultural and historical significance.

On a fieldwork assignment in Pangasinan, we made San Fernando City our basecamp. Thus I had the chance to visit some of its tourist sites. Check some of the places worth paying a visit in San Fernando.

1. HEROES HILL AND FREEDOM PARK STAIRWAY
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2. ST. WILLIAM CATHEDRAL
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3. SAN FERNANDO TOWN PLAZA
Located just in front of the St. William Cathedral at the town proper.
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4. MA-CHO TAOIST TEMPLE
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from a blog by Oooneh at http://ooohneh.blogspot.com/2011/06/san-fernando-city-la-union.html

5. PINDANGAN RUINS
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6. LA UNION BOTANICAL GARDEN
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7. BAUANG BEACH
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8. PORO POINT LIGHTHOUSE
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9. SAN FERNANDO CITY ENGINEERED LANDFILL
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Hugo Le Roi

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Soon to open: Metrobank Sevilla (San Fernando 3) - Tan Building

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Hugo Le Roi

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Hugo Le Roi

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Hugo Le Roi

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Hugo Le Roi

Provincial Information and Tourism Office-La Union



A historic day unfolded in the Ilocandia amidst heavy rain as the people of La Union led by Gov. Manuel C. Ortega witnessed the inauguration of their Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Legislative Building and Session Hall located at the Capitol Compound on July 8, 2011. Governor Ortega said the occasion stressed that bad weather can not deter his administration’s commitment to public service.



The ceremonial cutting of the ribbon was led by La Union 1st District Representative Victor F. Ortega, La Union 2nd District Congressman Eufranio C. Eriguel, ABONO Party-list Representative Francisco Emmanuelle R. Ortega, Governor Ortega, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) led by Vice Gov. Aureo Augusto Q. Nisce, Mayors, Directors of the various regional national line agencies, members of the judiciary, church leaders, non-government organizations, school heads, officials from the Philippine National Police and officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was immediately followed by the unveiling of the building markers and bust of Speaker Pro-Tempore Ortega which was highlighted by the presence of the late leaders’ children led by Apo Manoling and Apo Victor.



During the 19th SP’s inaugural session in their new home, a resolution was passed naming the new building’s conference halls after Sen. Alejo R. Mabanag, Sen. Camilo P. Osias and Sen. Mangnolia W. Antonino, all of whom were distinguished Senators from La Union.



Prior to the events, a Thanksgiving Mass at the Diego Silang Hall and blessing of newly-acquired vehicles and equipment and grottos at the Capitol Grounds were celebrated and led by Fathers Alfonso V. Lacsamana and Nolan R. Nabua.



The new building was realized with supporting funds coming from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and named after the late House Speaker Francisco Isabelo L. Ortega. Intimately called Apo Pacoy by the people of La Union, he first served as Majority Floor Leader of the San Fernando Municipal Council; Representative of the 1st District of La Union (1934-1935, 1941-1946, 1946-1949, 1953-1957, 1957-1961 and 1961-1965; Legislative Secretary to President Elpidio Quirino, 1950; appointed Mayor of Baguo City, 1951; and Commission on Elections Commissioner, 1966-1967. He is the son of La Union’s first elected governor, Joaquin J. Ortega; father of Governor Ortega and Victor F. Ortega; and grandfather of ABONO Party-List Representative Francisco Emmanuelle R. Ortega. Other than the Session Hall located at the ground floor and offices of the Board Members, the building shall also contain the Office of the Secretariat at Basement I; SP Archives at Basement II; conference rooms at Basement III; and the proposed physical fitness area at Basement IV.



The old legislative building which originally housed the Museo de LaUnion, is being considered to be converted into a reception center which shall house official guests of the province.

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BUWENA MANO -The 19th La Union Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Aureo Augusto Q. Nisce holds its first session in its new home, the Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Building and Session Hall located at the Capitol Grounds on July 8, 2011. Seated in front at right is Gov. Manuel C. Ortega. Photo by: Israel O. Rudio, PITO

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/new-lu-legislative-building-inaugurated-by-israel-o-rudio/240157902669482)

:banana::banana::banana::cheers:

^^ The building isn't complete yet, I hope they could already finalize the construction of the roof deck. I also hope somebody could photograph its interiors. It will be a new landmark in the province

By: Israel O. Rudio

Provincial Information & Tourism Office-La Union



Sto. Tomas, La Union chess sensation Loren B. Laceste beat favored contenders during the Canadian Youth Chess Championship 2011 (18 open) held on July 6-9, 2011 held at Sheraton Parkway North Hotel and Suites in Toronto, Canada, qualifying him to the World Youth Chess Championship 2011 in Brazil.



First round against FIDE Master Roman Sapozhnikov who has a rating of 2424 as compared to Laceste’s (2027) resulted to a draw. In the second round, the former San Juan de Letran standout beat Dalia Kagramanov who has a 2027 rating. After losing in the third from Michael Kleinman who has a rating of 2343, he made a dramatic winning streak from the fourth to the seventh round, beating Woman Chess Master Yelizaveta Orlova (2073), Alexander Martchenco (2395), Brendan Fan (2097) and International Master Arthur Calugar (2437), respectively.



Starting as a an eight-year old representative of the country during the 2002 World Youth Chess Championship in Greece, Laceste is a proud product of the La UnionChess Program. Last June, Caba, La Union’s very own Chardine Cheradee Camacho was conferred with the title Woman International Master (WIM) after conferment from the World Chess Federation (Fide) while two other young wood pushers from La Union, Mariel Batulan of San Fernando City and Brena Mae Membrere of Aringay added more honor to the province as they bagged Gold Medals in Chess in the Secondary Division in this year’s Palarong Pambansa held in Dapitan City last May.

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File photo shows the proud Mr. and Mrs. Melchor Laceste of Barangay Damortis in Sto. Tomas, La Union together with their son, Loren B. Laceste, who emerged champion in the Canadian Youth Chess Championship 2011 (18 open) held on July 6-9, 2011 held at Sheraton Parkway North Hotel and Suites in Toronto, Canada, qualifying him to the World Youth Chess Championship 2011 in Brazil. Provincial Information & Tourism Office-La Union

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/laceste-qualifies-to-world-youth-chess-championships-by-israel-o-rudio/240160186002587)


:rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock:

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Photo by: Airwind

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Photo by: Airwind

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A High-rise building and a Overpass foot-bridge ? That would be nice if that will be in SFC...it needs massive urban renewal and a political will to do it...Let's DOH it na lang muna...he he

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Soon to open: Metrobank Sevilla (San Fernando 3) - Tan Building
I thought it would be BDO Branch-3?

A High-rise building and a Overpass foot-bridge ? That would be nice if that will be in SFC...it needs massive urban renewal and a political will to do it...Let's DOH it na lang muna...he he
High rise apartment bldgs for students? no, i doubt it will be feasible for now but the footbridges are NEEDED right away infront of SLC , Lorma, DMMMSU, BHC schools. This way, road traffic will be manageable and pedestrians can cross the Quezon Ave. safer.

Provincial Information and Tourism Office-La Union













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BUWENA MANO -The 19th La Union Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Aureo Augusto Q. Nisce holds its first session in its new home, the Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Building and Session Hall located at the Capitol Grounds on July 8, 2011. Seated in front at right is Gov. Manuel C. Ortega. Photo by: Israel O. Rudio, PITO

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/new-lu-legislative-building-inaugurated-by-israel-o-rudio/240157902669482)

:banana::banana::banana::cheers:
Nice to see LU officials with their own official desk and PC. WTG LU! :cheers:

I thought it would be BDO Branch-3?

baka pati rin BDO SF-3. Baka nauna lang ang metrobank na nag-oocupy ng isang space sa building. Metrobank talaga ang nakita ko

high-rise na kahit 12-storeys lang. I think uusbong yan sa SF market.

Maganda sana kung mai-request ang mga footbridges sa priority projects ng SFC government. di na kasi biro ang trapiko rito.

by Abe N. Libadia

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 13 (PIA) -- Ilocos Region’s infrastructure sector is focusing on providing adequate and reliable infra support for agriculture, industry, tourism and human resources development for the next six years.

As envisioned in the medium term regional development plan 2011-2016 (MTRDP-2010-2016), infrastructure support facilities shall be provided to the various sectors in the region in accordance to appropriate design standards, plans and specifications.

MTRDP-2010-2016

Ilocos Region’s MTRDP-2010-2016 is a blueprint which laid down the goals, targets and strategies paralleled with the thrusts of the new administration in attaining its economic vision for the next six years.

Transportation Sub-sector Plan

The subsector on transportation as specified in the MTRDP plans to put up more alternate and access roads and bridges to ensure accessibility to seaports and airports to affect reliable inter-modal transport system.
These roads and bridges will likewise serve as alternate routes in case od road cuts or unpassable bridges caused by massive flooding and landslides.
The sub-sector will also improve and maintain key inter-regional road networks to perk up economic activities between and among neighboring regions.
The length of the region’s paved national road increased from 1,509.66 kilometers in 2009 to 1,549.33 kilometers or 39.67 kilometers more in 2010.
Among the major road sections completed were the Laoag-Sarrat-Piddig-Salsona road in Ilocos Norte; widening of Pangasinan-Tarlac road Carmen Junction-Manat road and the Urdaneta Junction-Dagupan-Lingayen road in Pangasinan; Sta. Lucia-Salcedo road in Ilocos Sur; and the San Fernando By-Pass road extension in La Union. The total appropriation spent was P166.57 Million.

Upland access roads and bridge projects connecting the region’s road network to the Cordillera region were the Abra-Ilocos Norte road; Phase V of the Aluling bridge along the Tagudin-Cervantes road junction Santiago-Banayoyo-Lidlidda-San Emilio-Quirino road, and Sta. Maria-Burgos-Lidlidda road in Ilocos Sur; and the Rosario-Pugo road in La Union.

The Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway, a breakthrough Build-Operate-Transfer project undertaken by the Private Infrastructure Development Corporation, started construction in 2010. The 88-kilometer 4-lane expressway providing a comfortable and safe travel experience of motorists going to North Luzon is expected to be completed soon.

Power Sub-sector

As contained in the MTRDP, the power subsector is expected to provide adequate power supply for agriculture, tourism, commercial and industrial use. Alternate power supply facilities such as solar power projects are also expected to provide the much needed electricity particularly in remote and upland villages in the Region.

All towns and villages in the region have access to electricity in 2010. However, 305 of the region’s 7,290 sitios mostly in remote upland barangays have yet to be electrified. For household connections, the sector has yet to address the electricity needs of some 79,552 households were unserved in 2010. The region has approximately 857,100 households.

Water Resources Sub-sector

The construction of flood control structures including dredging of rivers form part of the strategies for water resources subsection in the MTRDP to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in the farm production of the region.

Repairs of typhoon damaged irrigation systems as well as the generation of new irrigation areas shall be pursued. This would contribute in the increase of rice production to maintain sufficiency and improve food security of the region.

The Contract Package 2 of the Agno river Flood Control project, Phase 2 in Pangasinan is already 99.45 percent complete, promising a more disaster-resilient community in the area.

In terms of irrigation support, three multi-billion irrigation projects in the region were implemented in 2010. The Banaoang Pump irrigation Project in Ilocos Sur has been completed while the Lower Agno River irrigation System and the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project were 68.37percent and 53.53 percent complete respectively. The three projects which was a combined coverage service area of 34,450 hectares were implemented at a cost of P14.66 billion.
After several years of constant decline in the region’s irrigation service, a significant growth was achieved in 2010. Irrigation service area went up from 127,571 hectares in 2009 to 159, 736 hectares or 25.21 percent higher in 2010. As a result, the regions irrigation coverage significantly soared to 50 percent of the total potential irrigable area from just about 40 percent in 2009. The increase was attributed to the generation of an additional 1,240.88 hectares and the restoration of another 1,682 hectares and the rehabilitation of some 7,423 hectares in 2010.

Achieving Sustained Growth In 6 Years

The goals, targets, strategies including the infra projects spelled out in the MTRDP 2010-2016 are geared towards achieving sustained growth, employment generation, improvement in health and education facilities for better quality and manpower, and build capabilities for resilient communities in Ilocos Region. (ANL-PIA 1 La Union)(Abe N. Libadia/NEDA-R1 Report)

Source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=43227

By: Joan Diaz
Governor’s Press Corps-La Union

The Municipality of Bauang will implement a newly-approved ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic bags on dry goods and regulating its use on wet goods in support to the global environmental campaign on the reduction of non-biodegradable wastes such as plastics.

Ordinance No. 5 Series of 2011 aims to reduce if not totally eliminate the use of plastic bags as packaging materials and encourage the public to use alternative packaging materials such as bayong (woven bags), katsa (cloth bags), banban (bamboo strip), paper bags, and other similar materials. It requires the market goers to bring their own recyclable and reusable bags or containers when going to the public market.

For business establishments, they will not be allowed to utilize plastic bags as packaging materials for dry goods (textiles, clothing, etc) while those trading wet goods are prohibited to use plastic materials for primary packaging. Likewise, no business establishment shall offer or sell plastic bags.

Aside from the use and selling of plastic bags, improper disposal of plastic wastes and cleaning of fish such as removal of scales and internal organs within the fish vending premises are also prohibited. First offense requires a fine of PhP 500, second offense at PhP 1,000 and third offense at PhP 2,500 and in the case of business establishments, cancellation of their license to operate for a period of six months.

Non-biodegradable wastes such as plastic bags make up the biggest portion of garbage in dumpsites and even clog canals, creeks, rivers, and other waterways if uncollected, posing as threat all year round due to the unpredictable weather because of climate change.

From: La Union Information and Tourism, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/lgu-bauang-bans-plastic-bags-by-joan-diaz-governors-press-corps-la-union/241111682574104)

^^ little info: Naguilian is the first LU municipality to ban plastic bags. sana tularan rin ng ibang La Union LGUs. Buong Laguna, for example, already bans plastic bags sa mga supermarket nila

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union July 12 (PIA) -- The La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO) recently announced that the recently conducted random drug testing to all their 104 uniformed and civilian personnel came with negative results on the use of any illegal/prohibited substance.

This surprised drug tests was administered by personnel from the Regional Crime Laboratory of the Police Regional Office 1, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Regional Office 1, as part of the Police Community Relations Month activity this July.

Police Superintendent Eduardo C. Abaday, LUPPO Chief, Public Information Office said that this is undertaken to measure how the Philippine National Police complies with not just the requirements during recruitment but also in keeping their men, uniformed and civilian per se, free from the use of illegal/prohibited drugs and abuse of their authority.

LUPPO Provincial Director Ramon O. Purugganan said that to show their sincerity in the conduct of this test, all personnel who were supposed to be found positive of this illegal substance shall be subjected to further investigation.

The activity was witnessed by La Union Vice Governor Aureo Augusto Q. Nisce; Atty. Dennis Lomboy, Provincial Legal Officer of the National Police Commission; Fr. Nolan Nabua, St. Jude Parish Priest; barangay officials from the different municipalities of the province; and local media practitioners. (JCR/MPA-PIA 1 LU with reports from PSupt. ECA – LUPPO)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=43135

:banana::cheers:

Nice to see LU officials with their own official desk and PC. WTG LU! :cheers:

Mala-mini house of the congress :banana::cheers:

Municipal and officials and employees, staff of Nat'l Grid Corporation, Parole and Probation Regional Office, and students fr the Acao National High School actively took part in the tree planting.

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From: BAUANG, LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150223794973204&set=a.10150223788638204.307284.336893718203&type=1&theater&pid=7184521&id=336893718203)

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from: La Union information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150223829118204&set=a.10150223825348204.307301.336893718203&type=1&theater&pid=7184773&id=336893718203)

MANILA — Holcim Philippines, Inc., the country's leading cement manufacturer, said Wednesday it has adjusted its prices by six percent in Luzon effective last month largely due to high cost of coal.

In a statement, the company said the increase which took effect last June 23 was still within the suggested retail price submitted to the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) in July 2010.

The cement manufacturer noted that even as businesses across industries normally adjust prices annually to cope with inflationary pressures, it had held off any price increases since last year to help the public cope with rising prices caused by the volatility of oil and other commodities.

It recognizes, however, that it is not economically feasible to keep prices at these levels given significant cost pressures coming from steady price increases for various commodities, particularly coal.

Holcim operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Davao. It currently has more than 1,700 employees in the Philippines.

Holcim is one of the world's leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt.

The group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents. (PNA)

republished at: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/34136-Holcim-adjusts-prices-by-6%25-in-June.html

hugo, kumusta na pala yung nasunog na mall sa inyo?

hugo, kumusta na pala yung nasunog na mall sa inyo?

salamat sa pagbisita sa thread! ayun kasalukuyang inaayos ang mga na-apektuhang parte ng mall. target re-opening date ng sinehan at worlds of fun ay sa October. ok naman ang CSI La Union sa ngayon malakas parin ang negosyo rito

^^ kailangan narin talaga sa San Fernando ang another full-service mall, like SM or Rob.

salamat sa pagbisita sa thread! ayun kasalukuyang inaayos ang mga na-apektuhang parte ng mall. target re-opening date ng sinehan at worlds of fun ay sa October. ok naman ang CSI La Union sa ngayon malakas parin ang negosyo rito


So malapit na rin. Thats good to know! :)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/263531_10150228007321016_653081015_7702421_5850414_n.jpg?dl=1

Photo by: Airwind

i don't think that's poro point. that's more like downtown san fernando..

lagi kung nakikita yan pag umuuwi ako dahil yung bahay ng uncle ko is just next to carrille resort at camp diego silang.

salamat sa pagbisita sa thread! ayun kasalukuyang inaayos ang mga na-apektuhang parte ng mall. target re-opening date ng sinehan at worlds of fun ay sa October. ok naman ang CSI La Union sa ngayon malakas parin ang negosyo rito

nung nasa pinas ako, kararating ko lang galing baguio nung nasusunog ang CSI, dahil yung jeep na sinakyan ko papuntang carlatan ay dumaan diyan sa CSI. it took us about half an hour na makarating dun sa carlatan, dahil sa traffic.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268968_10150220640256986_526316985_7593620_7036093_n.jpg

Photo by Monch BArnachea via NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150220640256986&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater&pid=7593620&id=526316985)

ganito pala ang loob ng st. christopher church. lagi kong nakikita to pag nagpupunta ako ng bangar but never been inside the church. hehe

i don't think that's poro point. that's more like downtown san fernando..

lagi kung nakikita yan pag umuuwi ako dahil yung bahay ng uncle ko is just next to carrille resort at camp diego silang.

I stand corrected:)

The view of the city from Carille especially at night is magnificent, ang liwanag ng city proper at ng Poro Point

nung nasa pinas ako, kararating ko lang galing baguio nung nasusunog ang CSI, dahil yung jeep na sinakyan ko papuntang carlatan ay dumaan diyan sa CSI. it took us about half an hour na makarating dun sa carlatan, dahil sa traffic.

I also remember that day. I just came from Chowking when someone I know told me the bad news, and he pointed at the black smoke that is seen in the city proper. I texted my sister and only to found out that they are just outside the burning mall. They were at the department store of the mall when the fire started at the appliance center

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union — Police intercepted and confiscated last Thursday 320 kilograms of fish caught through dynamite fishing at the San Fernando City Public Market in this province.

Superintendent Rolando Bersola, city chief of police, said one of the fish vendors was arrested but his identity has been withheld, pending the arrest of his alleged cohorts.

Bersola quoted officials of the City Agriculture Office as saying that most of the confiscated fish were “galunggong.” (Freddie G. Lazaro)

source link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/326939/citizens-arrest-antismoking

MANILA, Philippines - The Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway (TPLEX) project, one of the country’s most important infrastructure undertakings to date, has wrapped up its financial closing, with BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) providing the bulk of its debt component.

The financial closing was formalized through the recent signing of a P11.5-billion term-loan facility among the lenders and the project’s proponent Private Infra Dev Corp. (PIDC), an all-Filipino consortium led by Rapid Thoroughfares, Inc., DMCI Group and D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. Apart from BDO, the other participating banks were Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines.

The TPLEX project, with an estimated cost of P19 billion, is being undertaken via a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract between the government -- through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) -- and PIDC.

It is an 88.58-kilometer (km), two-lane travel way (with provisions for widening) traversing from La Paz, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union. Once completed, it will reduce significantly the current travel time from Manila to Baguio.

Phase 1 or the construction of the two-lane travel way would be completed in five years.

“TPLEX is a momentous project because it has many firsts to its credit. It is the first all-Filipino owned public-private partnership (PPP) project; the first PPP project funded by all-Filipino banks; and, the first toll road project under the PPP that completed its financial close,” said BDO president Nestor V. Tan.

source link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleId=706156

CORPORATIONS WILL soon be able to file their registrations with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through the Land Bank of the Philippines’ (Landbank) larger branch network under an inter-agency effort to simplify business processes.

The two parties agreed yesterday to let entrepreneurs file their incorporation requirements at any of Landbank’s 326 branches, instead of the current setup where they would have to be submitted to the SEC, which has only six offices nationwide.

The arrangement is now being pilot-tested at the Landbank La Union branch and its partner SEC Baguio office. Officials are hoping to roll out the partnership to all Landbank branches nationwide by Sept. 15.

“Landbank will accept the application for registration, pre-process it, collect the fees and send it to the nearest SEC office. Once the forms are ready, the client can claim them from us,” Landbank President and CEO Gilda E. Pico said during the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement yesterday.

Ms. Pico said the new setup would cut the processing time for business registration, as well as bring down incidental costs for transportation.

Moreover, there won’t be additional fees should entrepreneurs course their registration through Landbank.

SEC Chairman Teresita J. Herbosa added that the troublesome process of starting a business was a common complaint of clients.

According to the 2010 Doing Business Report of the International Finance Corp. (IFC), it takes an estimated 45 days for an entrepreneur to incorporate and register a new firm in the Philippines.

The country ranked 162nd out of 183 economies last year in terms of the ease of starting a business, falling seven notches from its previous post. IFC officials have noted, though, that the area is “not complicated to reform.”

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, who witnessed the deal’s signing, said the government is focused on simplifying the process of doing business in the Philippines, to “make it easier for people to help the economy grow faster.” -- Diane Claire J. Jiao

source link: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=More-gov%E2%80%99t-sites-to-handle-corporate-registrations-by-Sept.&id=34780

Friday, July 15, 2011

BAGUIO has been chosen as one of eight cities (four in the Philippines) named as sites of AsianCitiesAdapt, a project to develop local adaptation strategies being coordinated by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

Representatives of ICLEI and other participating agencies will join Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan at the launching of the one-year project on Tuesday morning at the Ridgewood Residence at Barangay Lualhati here.

Domogan created last April 12 a task force he heads to spearhead the development and implementation of the city's climate change adaptation plan in relation to the AsianCitiesAdapt project.

With him in the launching will be Holger Robrecht of the ICLEI European Secretariat, Jana Werg of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Florencio Ballesteros Jr. of the UP National Engineering Center, Victorino Aquitania of the ICLEI Southeast Asian Secretariat, and a representative of the German Embassy.

Aquitania, a native of Baguio, worked with the city planning and development office before transferring to ICLEI.

ICLEI is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations who have made a commitment to sustainable development.

As per the media advisory, "the project brings together science and policy in order to identify the impacts of climate change and to development concrete local adaptation strategies."

Aside from Baguio, the other chosen cities in the Philippines are Dagupan, Tuguegarao and San Fernando, La Union. The sites in India are Howrah, Madurai, Kochi and Visakhapatram.

AsianCitiesAdapt is part of the International Climate Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany.

As indicated in ICI's website, it has been financing since 2008 climate projects in developing and newly industrialized countries, as well as countries in transition.

ICLEI is a global association of more than 1,200 local governments and municipal organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development, according to the media advisory issued on the launching.

"As a movement, ICLEI runs the world's largest climate program of cities that links local action to national goals and internationally agreed targets." (Ramon Dacawi)

source link: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=More-gov%E2%80%99t-sites-to-handle-corporate-registrations-by-Sept.&id=34780

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on July 15, 2011.

by Venus H. Sarmiento

DAGUPAN CITY, July 15 (PIA) -- The Ilocos Region is better off in various aspects of nutrition as compared to other regions, regional nutrition officer Victoria Mañez said as she revealed the results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 2008.

Mañez said during the KBP Forum held at the Philippine Information Agency office today that malnutrition among children is still low but the region registers a big percentage of children and lactating women with anemia.

The region ranks 9th and 12th in the number of underweight (26.1%) and underheight (23.9% ) children in the zero to five years old category; 13th and 12th in the 6-11 year old category.

Bicol Region has the highest number of underweight children with 33.8 percent while the Cordillera Autonomous Region has the lowest number with 19.9 percent.

“Ang problematic category dito sa atin ay ang mga underweight lactating mothers at nutritionally at risk pregnant women kung saan tayo ay pang-apat sa buong Pilipinas,” Mañez said.

Iron deficiency registers a big number among 6-12 years old and in lactating women, she added.

Mañez said the nutrition office is bent on eradicating malnutrition in the region through various projects including breastfeeding forums, vegetable gardening and feeding programs.

The nutrition office, together with other agencies, are currently touring and evaluating 10 towns and cities for the Search for Child Friendly Local Government Units. The entries include the cities of Urdaneta, Laoag, Vigan and Candon and the towns of Sta Cruz , San Vicente and Tagudin in Ilocos Sur; Santol and Agoo in La Union and Pinili in Ilocos Norte. (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan)

source link: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=43659

:applause: :cheers:

hmmm ma-try nga pagbalik ko ng La Union

from Marand Resort and Spa, Bauang - Good Eats

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http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262729_157280484341728_144077772328666_328310_108849_n.jpg

Photos from Villa Marand Oresort and Spa Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=157280301008413&set=a.157280294341747.38421.144077772328666&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=157280301008413&set=a.157280294341747.38421.144077772328666&type=1&theater&pid=328301&id=144077772328666)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Source: Manila Bulletin

BDO Capital and Investment Corporation and Development Bank of the Philippines, the joint arrangers announced the signing of the Loan Agreement between Private Infra Dev Corporation and the syndicate of banks led by BDO Unibank, Inc., Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines last June 2, 2011 at the Garden Ballroom, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Witnessing the signing ceremony are Rogelio L. Singson, Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Chairperson of BDO Unibank, Inc., Ms. Tessie Sy-Coson, the Chairman of DMCI Holdings, David M. Consunji, the past presidents of the Philippine Constructors Association led by Felipe F. Cruz, Alfredo V. Asuncion, Rogelio C. Lombos, Emilio Tumbocon, incumbent PCA President, Levi Espiritu and PCA Directors and Officers.

Shown in the picture are the signatories seated in 2nd row from left: Eduardo Francisco, President of BDO Capital and Investment Corp.; Joseph Pineda, Director of Rapid Thoroughfares Inc.; Samson C. Lazo, President of Private Infra Dev Corporation; Jorge A. Consunji, President of DM Consunji, Inc.; Francisco F. Del Rosario, Jr.; President of Development Bank of the Philippines; Ferdinand K. Constantino, Director of Rapid Thoroughfares Inc.; Nestor Tan, President of BDO Unibank, Inc.; Isidro A. Consunji, President of DMCI Holdings, Inc.; Ms. Hilda Pico, President of Land Bank of the Philippines; Hans Wassmer, Senior Executive Vice-President of BDO Unibank, Inc.; and Delfin J. Wenceslao, Jr., President of DMWenceslao & Associates, Inc.

Seated in the front row from left are the other signatories: Jose Amado Angeles, Senior Vice President of JVAngeles Construction Corporation; Anthony L. Fernandez, President of First Balfour, Inc.; Gerardo V. Pancho, President of CMPancho Construction, Inc.; Antonio S. Evangelista, Chairman of New Kanlaon Construction, Inc.; Ms. Myra C. Reinoso, Chief Financial Officer of Private Infra Dev Corporation;. Noelito D. Policarpio, President of RDPolicarpio & Co., Inc.; Augusto F. Manalo, President of JEManalo & Co.; John A. Bautista, President of Rockford Development Corp.; Roberto L. Castillo, President of EEI Corporation.

Private Infra Dev Corporation is a consortium of 10 Filipino constructors and SMC/Rapid Thoroughfares Inc. who won in a solicited bidding the award for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Project. This is the first PPP Project with all Filipino expertise and local financing to undertake such a major infrastructure project in accordance with the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) Law.

Construction of the 88.5 kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union expressway (TPLEx) is well under way as the government is set to bid out the operation and maintenance (O&M) for the linked up light rail transit line 1 and metro rail transit line on July 11.

Works are being done up to Gerona, Tarlac from the end of Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway in La Paz town in Tarlac. The target is to have that stretch be asphalted and operational by the middle of next year. Right-of-way problems in the TPLEx have been set aside and which paved the way for the ground works of the road construction.

The four-lane highway spans 88.5 kilometers from La Paz, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union and would connect to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway.

The new highway, originally set for completion in 2013.

source link: http://www.sminvestments.com/smic/index.php?p=259&type=2&sec=25&aid=9092

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http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283807_164630043606772_144077772328666_353225_2185883_n.jpg

Photos from: Villa Marand Resort and Spa Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=164629653606811&set=a.164629626940147.40022.144077772328666&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=164630043606772&set=a.164629626940147.40022.144077772328666&type=1&theater&pid=353225&id=144077772328666)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226652_216881958330984_100000275445605_842706_6042701_n.jpg

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http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226873_216882284997618_100000275445605_842711_3222770_n.jpg

Photos from: San Juan Surfresort Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=166164850069362&set=a.166164633402717.35081.100000275445605&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=216882284997618&set=a.166164633402717.35081.100000275445605&type=1&theater&pid=842711&id=100000275445605)

Photo taken from my bus window last Tuesday

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270451_1808755751321_1612790914_31364775_3894093_n.jpg?dl=1

Update: As of Tuesday, the Mcdo Agoo site has already been prepared for the construction. Nilagyan na ng mga nipa fence. It is located beside the hospital and the municipal hall. I think kasya ang drive thru rito, though masikip

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226652_216881961664317_100000275445605_842707_3971312_n.jpg


Photos from: San Juan Surfresort Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=166164850069362&set=a.166164633402717.35081.100000275445605&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=216882284997618&set=a.166164633402717.35081.100000275445605&type=1&theater&pid=842711&id=100000275445605)

wow ayos yan ah. ang daming activities talaga sa La Union.:cheers:

wow ayos yan ah. ang daming activities talaga sa La Union.:cheers:

:okay::okay::okay: sana makapag surfing rin ako s San Juan

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San Juan, La Union has become very popular because of surfing. And one of the better places to learn is the Billabong Surf School of the San Juan Surf Resort, popularly called the Surf Camp.

from blog by: http://www.ivanhenares.com/2010/02/la-union-surfing-lessons-with-billabong.html

Stunning Photos of Kahuna Beach Resort, San Juan at this link: http://kahunaresort.com/index.html

Kahuna Beach Resort promos
http://kahunaresort.com/gallery/files/promos.gif

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Inspired by La Union's one-legged wonder surfer Ronie "Poks" Esquivel. Constructed of the latest advanced 4-Way Stoked Stretch fabric technology. A FIRST in Philippine Surfing.

Photos by Stokedinc.

:okay::applause::rock:

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/265049_227006057340198_107061996001272_681924_3607548_n.jpg

One-legged Wonder POKS Ronie Esquivel. Fun times and Fun waves in La Union.
STOKED on Life...

Photo by Stokedinc.

From Surfing San Juan Facebook Status:

La Union will be featured in TV5's Aksyon TV program "Teknotrip" tonight from 9:00 to 10:00 PM. Stay tuned as hosts KC Montero, Lia Cruz and Abby Asistio experience La Union's destinations, activities, accommodations, food and products while using the latest gadgets in their travels. Please spread the word =)

:banana::banana::cheers:

PRESIDENT Benigno S.C. Aquino III has promised housing units for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Visayas and Mindanao next year, even as he awarded the first batch of 4,0000 housing units -- out of the 21,800 promised in southern Luzon this year -- on Friday.

The 4,000 Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CLEA) and 90 symbolic door keys given to the initial beneficiaries were awarded by the President today in Barangay Batia, Bocaue in Bulacan and Barangay Looc, Calamba City in Laguna.

This first tranche of housing units, subsidized by the government, fall under Phase 1 of the project.

"Next year the priority will be Visayas and Mindanao and then northern Luzon," said Mr. Aquino, in an interview in Calamba.

"For them to be able to do it, the NHA in particular, they have to have ready land. Unfortunately, the land ready for development in their assessment was in Luzon."

Nevertheless, Mr. Aquino praised the NHA in that it took only three months "from conceptualization and designing the program to releasing the funds and screening the applicants."

The President issued Administrative Order No. 9 on April 11 directing the implementation of the AFP-PNP Housing Project that would provide permanent housing for qualified soldiers and policemen. The government had allotted P4.2 billion this year to build the initial 20,000 homes, divided equally between the AFP and PNP.

By May, the NHA had identified 12 project locations and committed to constructing and awarding a total of 21,800 units by November. Availment of these units will be by lottery.

Mr. Cruz said that the NHA has identified more sites for the Phase 2 of the project.

He cited the following sites per region: San Fernando, La Union and Bayambang, Pangasinan (Region I); Tuguegarao City ( Region II); Subic, Zambales, San Fernando, Pampanga, Tarlac City (Region III); La Trinidad, Benguet (Cordillera Autonomous Region); Lipa City, Batangas, Lucena City, Quezon (Region IV-A); Calapan, Mindoro Oriental and Palawan (Region IV-B); Naga City, Camarines Sur, and Legazpi City, Albay (Region V); Bacolod City and Iloilo City (Region VI); Cebu City, Bohol City, and Dumaguete City (Region VII); Catbalogan, Western Samar (Region VIII); Zamboanga City (Region IX); Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City (Region X); Davao City (Region XI); General Santos City and Cotabato City (Region XII); Surigao City and Butuan City (Region XIII). -- Johanna D. Poblete


source link: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=More-housing-units-planned-for-AFP,-PNP-members&id=34820

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Photos from: Halo Halo de Iloko Facebook

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From: Kahuna Beach Resort Facebook

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Photo by: Alma Villa from NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook

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Photo by: Glo Navarro of NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook

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Hugo Le Roi

I just wonder kung paano na ang isyu about sa Thunderbird Casinos kung resolved na. Heto at malakas talaga ang casino

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267765_219746351399774_133589443348799_554083_6458755_n.jpg

From Fiesta Poro Point facebook

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From Fiesta Poro Point facebook

Update: As of Tuesday, the Mcdo Agoo site has already been prepared for the construction. Nilagyan na ng mga nipa fence. It is located beside the hospital and the municipal hall. I think kasya ang drive thru rito, though masikip

thanks for the update! sa christmas siguro ang opening niyan.

wow ayos yan ah. ang daming activities talaga sa La Union.:cheers:

more than a shopping mall can offer... :) :cheers:

thanks for the update! sa christmas siguro ang opening niyan.

once the construction has started, after 3 months, tapos na ang construction.:banana:

I really hope that the proposed Mcdo Store, which will be the third in the city, could be built somewhere in Lingsat nalang, if the owner of the Mcdo franchise in Catbangen opposes it. It will be the fastfood store nearest to San Juan and Bacnotan, and it will also cater to tourists from San Juan especially those who went for surfing and beach activities, and also tourists from Ilocos. There are also several colleges, apartments and boarding houses where students can go and eat. hmmmm my opinion

more than a shopping mall can offer... :) :cheers:

I can say that La Union is a haven for adventurers and sports-enthusiasts.We have numerous resorts and several government activities related to sports such as Bike racing in San Fernando, Surfing in San Juan, snorkeling and boat riding in the beaches of Bauang and San Fernando, Golfing at Thunderbird, wide range of activities at Pugo Adventure such as rock climbing, ziplining, etc, and mountain hiking at Santol and Bagulin :cheers:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284978_10150377059897388_601072387_10291390_4179208_n.jpg

Photo by: Camilo Corpuz from NATIVES OF LA UNION

Rang-ay Bank recently signed a partnership agreement with Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP). The Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool was established by virtue of Administrative Order No. 225-A issued on May 26, 2008. In order to encourage and facilitate agricultural lending, particular to small farmers and fisherfolks.

The partnership has made available lending opportunities to small farmers and fisher folks in the province. It aims to extend financial support to small farmers and fisher folks engaged in palay and other food crop production as well as fisheries projects and livestock raising. The program seeks to make credit available to small farmers who have no collateral. As defined, small farmers are those who are small crop growers, small livestock owners, and poultry growers. Small fisher folks may also avail of this product, they are those individuals whose principal source or sources of livelihood are the varying types of fishing activities.

An orientation was conducted by AGFP representatives’ Mr. Virgilio Jamon, Ms. Gen De Torres and Mr. Charles Santos last July 1, 2011 which was attended by Branch Managers and heads at the Chowking Function Hall. The purpose of the orientation is to familiarize Rang-ay Bank Officers of the background, structure and policies of the AGFP. To know more about the product, please visit your nearest Rang-ay Bank Branch.

From Rang-ay Bank Website: http://www.rangaybank.com/contents/2ndquarter%202011.html

The Annual Rang-ay Bank Stockholders’ Meeting was held last April 3, 2011 at the Rang-ay Bank Head Office in Nisce-Querol Bldg., Gov. Luna St., San Fernando City, La Union. Bank President & CEO, Mr. Ives Q. Nisce presented the Annual Accomplishment Report for the year 2010. The hardwork and dedication of its staff and the dynamic leadership of its officers has contributed to the continued growth of its network and the increase of its total assets in 2010. Rang-ay Bank continues to be the biggest bank in its class in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions.

Rang-ay Bank’s total resources increased by P94Million, reaching P1.380 Billion by yearend. Rang-ay Bank continues to be the highest bank in its class in the Ilocos, Cordillera and Pangasinan provinces with over 20,289 depositors in twenty (20) banking offices. A major milestone was attained as total deposits of the bank reached P1 Billion, increasing from P946Million in 2009 to P1 Billion by year-end 2010. The growth in deposits is a sign of the trust & confidence that the people continue to repose on the bank. Loans were extended to 13,778 more borrowers for the whole of 2010 and aggregated more than P1.7 Billion.

Various highlights in the year were also discussed. During the national convention of the Rural Banking Association of the Philippines (RBAP) on June 3, 2010, Globe Telecom recognized Rang-ay Bank as one of its Top Ten Rural Bank Partners. Rang-ay Bank with its twenty branches is the biggest rural bank partner of GCash in the Ilocos Region. Rang-ay Bank formally signed with the Small Business Corporation, a government financial institution tasked to expand credit to small and medium enterprises, in its headquarters in Makati City last July 2010 a memorandum of agreement. The MOA calls for the bank to strengthen its lending to small and medium enterprises (SME) through risk-based lending. Finally, Rang-ay Bank joined the Investor-Investee Helpdesk of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC). The Helpdesk is a facility whereby investor banks looking for banks to acquire, merge or consolidate with, or invest in, may be introduced to banks seeking interested acquirers/investor.

To commemorate the milestone of the bank, the theme “Panagyaman”, an Ilocano word that means thanksgiving, was celebrated last January 15, 2011 at Ilocandia Hall, Oasis Country Resort, San Fernando City, La Union. Thiscelebration was a thanksgiving for the bank’s 55 fruitful years in the service of the countryside. Amidst the global economic uncertainties threatening the economies worldwide, we at Rang-ay Bank are most grateful that the depositing public continue to repose upon us their trust & confidence. With the unwavering support of the men and women of Rang-ay Bank, it’s officers and staff, Board of Directors and stockholders, we look forward to continuing the mission of the bank’s pioneering founders of fueling local economies and strengthening countryside development.

http://www.rangaybank.com/contents/2ndquarter%202011.html

^^ Truly, Rang-ay Bank is the largest rural bank in Ilocos Region :cheers:

Dinengdeng Festival

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Rang-ay Bank employees joined in the celebration of the 7th Dinengdeng Festival and Agoo Town Fiesta 2011 last April 29 to May 5, 2011. The Branch participated in one of the highlights of the week-long celebration, the Grand Civic Parade held on the 1st day of May 2011, the celebration was headed by Cong. Franny Eriguel & Mayor Sandra Eriguel. The parade featured students of different schools as they showcased spectacular moves while dancing in the street wearing the colorful costumes. To highlight the 7th Dinengdeng Festival, people of Agoo also showed their creativity & resourcefulness in a contest participated by different barangays in cooking different recipes using the towns native vegetables.

This year’s celebration focused on the theme, “Accelerating Growth Through Transformational Leadership” and the Town’s Vision, “Agoo Kay Ganda” wherein Agoo shall be a progressive city, the center of education, trade, industry, sports, culture and tourism in Southern La Union with morally upright people and God-loving leaders committed to deliver to its citizen socio-economic prosperity, and sustained balanced ecology.

Rang-ay Bank website: http://www.rangaybank.com/contents/2ndquarter%202011.html

Pancake House

G/F One Nisce Place, San Fernando City, La Union

http://www.rangaybank.com/contents/2ndPix/pch.jpg - photo too large, check website

Welcome home!

Pancake House is a place that will make you feel homey and comfy where we serve not only our signature plain and flavored pancakes and golden brown waffles (served with whipped butter and your choice of fillings and toppings) are offered but an array of international and local dishes. Must tries in our menu are our Classic Pan Chicken with the welcome taste of homemade gravy, the best tacos in town, spaghetti with meat sauce, prime beef and ribs (USDA grade), appetizing pastas, sandwiches and burgers, our all day breakfast, refreshing milkshakes and desserts as well as other popular Western dishes.

We’re giving you more healthy dining options as well! Try two new low salt dishes - Cornmeal Crusted Fish that is golden cornmeal crusted fish served with our own low fat yogurt garlic sauce and Grilled Maple Chicken on Fruity Salad that is a high fiber mixed greens and fruits topped with low-salt grilled maple chicken, served with mango vinaigrette. These are highly recommended by Novartis and partner medical societies such as the Philippine Heart Association, Philippine Society of Hypertension and Philippine Society of Nephrology with the Department of Health. Pancake House is promoting the Low Salt Diet Advocacy, this effort is an effort to provide healthier dishes that are generally lower in calories and are flavored with less salt but are still tasty.

We are also introducing Gurtz - our 98% fat-free frozen yogurt that comes in regular, medium, and family sizes. A perfect choice to cap a meal, plain Gurts may be enhanced with a line of exquisite toppings like fruit loops, assorted marshmallows, white chocolate chips, andy sprinkles, chopped walnuts, raisins, sliced peaches, corn flakes, cherry fillings, maple syrup, crushed graham crackers and more. Also available are premium toppings like pastillas, chocolate walnut biscotti, butter streusel, chocolate fudge brownie, and New York cheesecake.

So, come in visit us and enjoy delicious comfort food, distinctively homey dining experience and friendly service at the G/F One Nisce Place, National Highway, San Fernando City, La Union.

http://www.rangaybank.com/contents/2ndquarter%202011.html

:banana::banana::banana::banana::cheers2::eat:

I really hope that the proposed Mcdo Store, which will be the third in the city, could be built somewhere in Lingsat nalang, if the owner of the Mcdo franchise in Catbangen opposes it. It will be the fastfood store nearest to San Juan and Bacnotan, and it will also cater to tourists from San Juan especially those who went for surfing and beach activities, and also tourists from Ilocos. There are also several colleges, apartments and boarding houses where students can go and eat. hmmmm my opinion
1st McDonald...in front of CKC
2nd McDonald...inside CSI
3rd McDonald...where ?

I really hope that the proposed Mcdo Store, which will be the third in the city, could be built somewhere in Lingsat nalang, if the owner of the Mcdo franchise in Catbangen opposes it. It will be the fastfood store nearest to San Juan and Bacnotan, and it will also cater to tourists from San Juan especially those who went for surfing and beach activities, and also tourists from Ilocos. There are also several colleges, apartments and boarding houses where students can go and eat. hmmmm my opinion
The Dy Family owns the 2 McDo franchises in SFC. They have the option to build additional McDo outlets if needed within their given market area. But If the proposed 3rd store is not theirs then for sure it will affect their sales in SFC.

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The Dy Family owns the 2 McDo franchises in SFC. They have the option to build additional McDo outlets if needed within their given market area. But If the proposed 3rd store is not theirs then for sure it will affect their sales in SFC.

edi sana sila nalang ang maka-isip nun. for sure they will have a nice competition with Jollibee if that happens, tig-3 stores na sila sa city, at saka para solo narin nila ang SF market, wala na silang kakumpetensiya

Monday, 18 July 2011 18:15

Liza T. Agoot / Correspondent


BAUANG, La Union—Plastic bags will soon be banned from this town.

This, after the town’s municipal council approved Ordinance 194 Series of 2011 prohibiting the use of plastic bags on dry goods and regulating its use on wet goods.

Municipal Administrator Crisanto Palabay said the ordinance endeavors to reduce, if not totally stop, the use of plastic bags as a packaging material. The ordinance also encourages the public to use alternative packaging biodegradable materials such as the native bayong (woven bags), katsa (cloth bags), banban (bamboo strips), paper bags and other natural materials that can be reused for a number of times. The passage of the ordinance also intends to drumbeat the call to the community to bring non-plastic reusable bags when going to the market.

Town officials are pushing the town ordinance as their share in the global environmental campaign to reduce the use of nonbiodegradable waste such as plastics.

In most parts of the country, especially in urban areas, plastics account for the biggest share in garbage generated.

The ordinance states that no business establishment will be allowed to utilize plastic bags as packaging materials for dry goods like textiles, while those trading wet goods are prohibited to use plastics as primary packaging material. Upon the implementation of the ordinance, establishments previously selling plastic bags will no longer be allowed to sell these.

Palabay said the ordinance also prohibits the improper disposal of plastic waste and cleaning fish entrails within the fish-vending premises as this practice entails using plastics to contain refuse taken out of the fish.

Violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense and P2,500 for the third offense. In the case of business establishments, the penalty is six months’ suspension of the business permit to operate.

Implementation of the ordinance on interregion buses traversing this town is postponed for three months to allow information dissemination to reach concerned bus operators prior to apprehension.

Palabay said that based on the provisions of the ordinance, plastic bags and other residual waste contribute a huge volume to the municipal waste-dumping facility while those not collected causes clogging of the canals, creeks, rivers and other waterways, posing a threat not only during the rainy season but to the unpredictable weather condition caused by climate change.

source link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/13920-bauang-la-union-bans-use-of-plastic-bags

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282772_244186095599996_204145946270678_947719_7920852_n.jpg

Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. de Guzman III led the tree planting activity of the Municipal Government of Bauang in cooperation, with the La Union Parole and Probation Office, National Grid Corporation of the Phils., Don Eulogio de Guzman Jr. Vocational School (formerly Acao National High School) , and the barangay council of Acao as a part of the International Year of the Forest. 2,000 mahogany seedlings were planted at the watershed area of Sitio Baratao in Acao last July 12, 2011. (Joan Diaz)

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=244186095599996&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283395_243638375654768_204145946270678_946216_6249479_n.jpg

Staff of the La Union Provincial Engineer’s Office open and clean clogged sewerage canals at the corner of Quezon Avenue and General Luna St. to lessen flooding in downtown San Fernando.

Photo by: Israel O. Rudio
Provincial Information and Tourism Office-La Union

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=243638375654768&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater)

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union July 19 (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Office 1 (LTO1) reported that they are presently working on the speedy distribution of the Pantawid Pasada Program cards or the fuel assistance program cards of the Department of Energy (DOE) to jeepney drivers to meet the target deadline by the end of July.

LTO1 officials said that based on the DOE listing, the total number of franchises to be given the PPP card is 6,342 for the whole Region.

According to the recent LTO data, after checking from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 1 database, it appeared that only 5,108 franchisee were valid as beneficiaries of the DOE’s PPP.

It was explained that as of May 18-19, DOE, in coordination with LTO Dagupan District and LTFRB1 distributed the Batch 13 & 19 cards with a total of 1,255 in the city of Dagupan, Pangasinan.

Another batch of PPP cards were delivered to LTO1 by DOE on June 16 with a total of 2031, but after cross-checking and validation by their agency, it turned out that only 2001 franchisees are on the active list and are valid as card beneficiaries.

These cards were then distributed to the different LTO district offices on June 30 for immediate release to all the beneficiaries in the region and were broken down as follows: For La Union, San Fernando District Office – 14 and Agoo – 3; in Ilocos Norte - Laoag – 2; and in Pangasinan which received the most number with Alaminos – 227, Dagupan – 1,058, Lingayen – 183, San Carlos – 258, Rosales – 9, and Urdaneta - 247.

Reports given by LTO Regional office dated July 15 showed that there were 494 or 24.69 percent distributed out of the 2001 PPP cards given.

To complete the total number of cards allotted for the region, LTO1 has validated the remaining 2,714 list of franchise ready to be requested for card production by DOE.

For those who have not yet received their PPP cards, they may proceed to their last LTO District registering office and bring along the following:

1. Original and photocopy of current Confirmation Certificate from LTFRB/LTFRB Decision.

2. Original and photocopy of latest LTO Certificate of Registration (CR) and Official Receipts (OR)

3. Original and photocopy of one valid ID with picture

Original copies of these documents will be returned after proper verification. Photocopies shall be retained by the LTO District/Extension Office for their file copy.

The list/names of the PPP beneficiaries are posted in all LTO district/extension offices concerned.

When asked whether they can meet their target by end of July, LTO officials said that the probability is big as they have started tapping drivers’ association in the different municipalities and cities for speedy release/distribution. (JCR/MPA-PIA 1 La Union)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=44121

This is beautiful.

Santo Tomas, La Union

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http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/73545_154812281226495_154811744559882_256746_1645867_n.jpg

From: Sto.Tomas, La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=154812361226487&set=a.154812091226514.25552.154811744559882&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=154812094559847&set=a.154812091226514.25552.154811744559882&type=1&theater&pid=256744&id=154811744559882)

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http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166825_169215669786156_154811744559882_333433_4998449_n.jpg

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http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/163272_169227766451613_154811744559882_333613_6009856_n.jpg

Photos from: Sto Tomas, La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=169215666452823&set=a.169211176453272.30132.154811744559882&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=169227769784946&set=a.169211176453272.30132.154811744559882&type=1&theater&pid=333614&id=154811744559882)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/163272_169227769784946_154811744559882_333614_2722354_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/163272_169227773118279_154811744559882_333615_6061231_n.jpg
Sto. Tomas Church

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http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/164741_169229283118128_154811744559882_333624_717828_n.jpg

Photos from: Sto. Tomas, La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=169215666452823&set=a.169211176453272.30132.154811744559882&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=169215666452823&set=a.169211176453272.30132.154811744559882&type=1&theater&pid=333432&id=154811744559882)

This is beautiful.

Santo Tomas, La Union

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/74263_154812361226487_154811744559882_256747_7882103_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/73545_154812281226495_154811744559882_256746_1645867_n.jpg

From: Sto.Tomas, La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=154812361226487&set=a.154812091226514.25552.154811744559882&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=154812094559847&set=a.154812091226514.25552.154811744559882&type=1&theater&pid=256744&id=154811744559882)

Wow, ang ganda nga nito.:):cheers:

Hindi ba Metrobank ung nasa Tan Building?


http://www.securitybank.com/images/sb_logo.gif
Security Bank 2 - SKM Building


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Bdologo.svg/200px-Bdologo.svg.png
Banco De Oro 3 - Tan Building

^^ sorry. huli na nung nalaman kong mali. di ko na na-edit.

by Danny O Sagun

DAGUPAN CITY, July 22 (PIA) -- Starting August 12, stock corporations from La Union can file their application for registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at the Land Bank of the Philippines San Fernando branch.

This pilot run for the implementation of the SEC-LANDBANK partnership assigning the government bank as an additional registration and payment option for SEC registrants became possible after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last July 14 between the SEC represented by Chairman Teresita J. Herbosa and LANDBANK represented by President and CEO Gilda E. Pico which was witnessed by Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima.

The MOA also provides for the training of LANDBANK personnel to handle pre-processing of applications while SEC representatives will process and issue certificates of incorporation and Stock Transfer Book for release by the bank to the applicant.

Trainings for bank personnel will be conducted by SEC in batches at the LANDBANK Head Office in Manila.

By September 15, other branches nationwide should accepted applications for registration of stock corporations.

“We look forward to helping streamline the application process with the availability of additional registration and payment options through branches of LANDBANK. Through this partnership, LANDBANK and SEC can contribute to the government’s efforts of promoting businesses and economic activities,” said Pico.

For her part, Herbosa said: “We are confident this project will encourage Filipino entrepreneurs all over the country, especially in areas where LANDBANK operates, to formally organize their businesses so they can enjoy the benefits of incorporation.” (ANL/DOS-LBP/PIA 1 Pangasinan)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=44805

WEDNESDAY, 20 JULY 2011 19:08 IMELDA V. ABANO / CORRESPONDENT
BAGUIO CITY— Four cities in the Philippines will be included in an international study aimed at accelerating the mitigation and adaptive capacity of urban centers. Along with four other cities in India, the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, San Fernando and Tuguegarao are among the test areas of climate-change adaptation measures in the Philippines for three years.

Long-term climate-change adaptation plans in cities in the Philippines will need to be ready to step up to the challenge of counteracting the risks of climate change, according to the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), an association of over 1,250 local governments worldwide.

Local governments should accelerate formulating comprehensive and long-term adaptation, as well as mitigation plans, as most cities in the country are at high risk of tropical storms, floods, drought, sea-level rise, water shortages and other effects of global warming, said Holger Robrecht, director for sustainability management of ICLEI European secretariat.

“As climate change intensifies, cities will face growing risks from extreme weather events that will not only affect humans but also the economic and social environments compounded with poverty and increasing population. So we need to accelerate mitigation and adaptive capacity of urban centers,” said Robrecht, who is here to jump-start the adaptation process in the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, San Fernando in La Union and Tuguegarao. Robrecht is visiting the four cities July 19-22.

Dubbed as the “Asian Cities Adapt” project, the identified cities in the Philippines will develop local adaptation strategies, create localized models on future climate change and impacts, monitoring and reassessing urban planning and development.

The project, coordinated with Southeast Asia and South Asia ICLEI Secretariat, the University of the Philippines, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, has a funding of $4 million, including that of four cities identified in India, for a period of three years.

“Millions of people live in cities that have poor adaptive capacities to combat climate change, especially those facing urban poverty and weak infrastructure or urban planning. There is an urgent need to begin reducing vulnerability to the many impacts of global warming at the local level as the cost to adapt to its impact will be enormous later,” Robrecht said.

In Baguio City some of the adaptive measures being implemented already are the construction of defense walls due to landslides, relocation of vulnerable residents into safer grounds, tree planting and rain-water harvesting, said Councilor Lourdes Tabanda.

Tabanda said the ICLEI project in the city would augment the National Climate Change Plan, an 18-year framework of the Philippines to enhance local government and chief executives’ capacity to address climate-change issues. The plan, however, is yet to be signed by President Aquino this year.

“This is a timely project as we have been implementing fragmented mitigation and adaptation efforts to fight climate-change impacts. We need a scientific baseline data so we could act together at the local level,” Tabanda said.

Jana Werg of the Germany-based Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research said the institute will play a significant role in assisting cities through data analysis and computer simulations of the data gathered at the local level.

“We need to develop a local climate model which we can adapt using the global model and tools. We can devise local models for the impact of flooding, extreme rainfall, storm damages and other local impacts for the Philippines,” Werg said.

Victorino Aquitania, regional director of ICLEI Southeast Asia secretariat, said that with during the project phase ending in 2013, the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, San Fernando and Tuguegarao will have to produce case studies, a manual on adaptation for local government units and a multimedia presentation to highlight experiences and lessons learned from the project activities and mainstreaming them to different sectors in the country.

“Adaptation and mitigation to climate-change needs to be a synergy of all sectors toward the development of integrated solution that we all are facing. We need to mainstream actions to climate change across the mandates, policies and everyday activities of all governments and other sectors,” Aquitania said.

source link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/14025-four-phl-cities-included-in-global-climate-change-adaptation-study

by Esteleta M. Rafanan

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 22 (PIA) -- If you wish to be a law enforcer, join the Philippine National Police.

In its 2nd Semester CY 2011 Regular Recruitment Program, the Police Regional Office 1 (PO1) is now accepting applicants for Police Officer 1.

Applicants must be a Filipino citizen with good moral character, physically and mentally fit. A male applicant must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters in height and fifty seven centimeters for female. For a new applicant, must not be less than 21 or more than 30 years of age.
Preferably a degree holder from recognized learning institution and passed any of the examinations: Licensure Examination for Criminology Grad, Bar and Board Exams, PNP Entrance Examination and PD 907 (Granting Civil Service Eligibility to College Honor Graduates).

An applicant is required to accomplish the following documentary requirements: CSC Form 212 (Revised 2005); Birth Certificate (Authenticated by NSO); Eligibility (Authenticated by NAPOLCOM, PRC, CSC); two pieces. 2 x 2 black and white picture with nametag; Transcript of Scholastic Records and Diploma (duly authenticated by school registrar); Clearance from the Mayor, Barangay, Police Provincial Office, Police Station, RTC/MTC, NBI; and Medical Certificate issued by Local Health Officer.

An applicant may visit the police station in the city/municipality where they reside for details, particularly on the submission of folders for initial processing and for evaluation on the completeness and authenticity of the documentary requirements prior to endorsement to the Police Provincial Offices.(ANL/EMR-PNP/PIA 1 La Union)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=44820

Aba maganda ito ah

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From Slc San Fernando Facebook

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 20 (PIA) -- “TAPATAN: A celebration of P.A.R.T.nerships towards good local governance” – a gathering of stakeholders to celebrate good local governance in Region 1 is what the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) aims to achieve in this event which will be held on August 3 at the Oasis Country and Resort, City of San Fernando.

According to DILG 1 Assistant Regional Director Dr. Juliet J Daquioag, “Tapatan” is the brainchild of DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo in response to the “Matuwid na Daan” of President Benigno C. Aquino III.

Daquioag added that this program also aims to gain back the trust and confidence of the community to the local government, thru transparency leading to good local governance.

“Tapatan” Roadshow is a medium used by Robredo to personally advocate the Full Disclosure Policy of DILG in the different regions of the country.
This policy seeks to check on how far the local government units have gone through in posting different important documents like annual budget reports, procurement plan, expenditures, items to bid, civil works, the annual Internal Revenue Allotment and etc.

Daquioag also informed that on cases of non-compliance to this policy as observed by the community, complaints can be directly reported either personally or thru text to the nearest DILG office, the local government officer in the area/municipality, to the municipal mayor, or even to the barangay captain in that area.
The local media will also be given a role as watchdogs and partners in monitoring the strict implementation by airing over the radio or publishing in papers all the malpractices, issues and concerns as they are the first hand fiscalizers of such cases.

DILG1 Regional Director Manuel V. Biason said that this event primarily highlights the gains of local autonomy through sharing of good practices, recognition of performing local government units in line with DILGs Seal of Good Housekeeping, and for their partners to come face-to-face with the Secretary.

In Region 1, Robredo will also be administering the conferment of winners for the 2011 Seal of Good Housekeeping Phase II.

Aimed to improve their services to the communities, DILG will also be presenting the Governance Reform Agenda, as represented with an acronym P.A.R.T. which stands for Partnership, Accountability, Responsiveness, and Transparency.

Part of this program will be the launching of DILGs new program or performance-based awards system that seeks to measure the efficiency and effectivity of players in local governance called the “Gawad Pamana ng Lahi”.
In line with the launching of the search, DILG Assistant Secretary Rolando M. Acosta will discuss on “Building the Foundation of a Responsible Government – Advancing the Primacy of Public Interest.”

Participants to this event are the provincial governors and vice-governors from the four provinces of the region, city and municipal mayors, provincial presidents of the league of mayors, vice-mayors, punong barangays, representatives from civil society organizations, national-line agencies,and the media. (JCR/MPA-PIA 1 La Union)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=44489

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 20 (PIA) -- Three (3) outstanding public servants in Region 1 will vie for the 2011 National Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

The three (3) semi finalists are: Metro La Union Water District Special Audit Team (Commission on Audit (COA) Regional Office 1, La Union) for Lingkod Bayan category; Mayor Eva Marie Medina (City government of Vigan, Ilocos Sur) for Dangal ng Bayan category; and Gov. Manuel Ortega for Pagasa category.

The finalists are among the 52 individual and eight (8) group semi-finalists on the national search.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) encourages the public to provide valuable information on any of the semi-finalists.

CSC Chair Francisco T. Duque III advised the public to be wise in providing information. Both positive and negative feedbacks will be used by the Search Committees in the re-evaluation of the semi-finalists’ nominations to determine who will receive the Presidential Lingkog Bayan, Dangal ng Bayan at Pagasa Awards.

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is bestowed to an individual or group for exceptional contributions resulting from an idea or performance on public interest. While the Pagasa Award is endowed to an individual or group for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of government on a certain degree of standards.

Whereas, the Dangal ng Bayan Award is granted to an individual for extraordinary performance on public service and earnest demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior, based on the observance of the norms of conduct provided under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The complete list of semi-finalist is accessible at the CSC website (www.csc.gov.ph) and posters bearing their names are posted in all CSC regional and field offices, as well as in the respective offices of the semi-finanlists.

Feedbacks on the semi-finalists should be reported through phone (931-7993, 932-0381, 932-0111 or 932-0179), text (0917-8398272) and email to hap@webmail.csc.gov.ph or hapsecretariat@yahoo.com until July 22, 2011.(JCR/EMR-PIA-1/La Union with report from CSC)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=44482

^^ Congratulations! May the best win! :cheers:

from a blog by Estan Cabigas at langyaw.com
source link: http://langyaw.com/2011/07/03/lunas-lonely-sentinel-of-the-sea/

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/luna_watchtower_1.jpg

Broken into two, Luna's sole watchtower is in such a sorry state, an unworthy condition to what it has served its people before.

I was quite excited when our guide told us that we will be visiting the Pindangan Ruins and the Luna watchtower in La Union while staying at the Thunderbird Resorts in Poro Point.

Being a heritage advocate and who has been documenting these kind of structures for some time, my simbahan.net blog is testament to this, I was quite excited as I’ve been wanting to visit this two structures but didn’t just had the time to go there. Until that La Union visit.

But what greeted me was disheartening. It has lost its balance, leaning on the sandy shores of Luna’s beach. Broken and probably left with no more tears as the descendants of the ancestors that this structure protected from the Pintados from the Visayas, Moro marauders looking for slaves, left it under the merciless elements while the area is continuously being quarried for its pebbles and sand.

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/luna_watchtower_2.jpg
Left under the mercy of the elements, it stands as a forgotten reminder to once dangerous times.

Centuries ago, I would surmise that it stood proudly on this very shores, elegant and white washed with paletada. At the sight of the slave raiders, the human sentinel might have set a smoke signal to warn the townsfolk of impending attack while the church bells are rung to call on the people to gather at the church.

It would have been a beautiful structure. A base of mamposteria, stones piled upon one another, and then layered with thousands of bricks as can be seen now. Not sure if it has a second floor but there are slots for wooden beams above the windows.

Unfortunately, this defender of Namacpacan, Luna’s old name, has deteriorated greatly. I just hope that the local government will have rehabilitation plans and make it as part of their tourism sites, a heritage structure worth saving for the memories it served and as part of its historical fabric.

http://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/luna_watchtower_3.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284209_205400019507962_163487207032577_504233_4771363_n.jpg

The new police outpost of Bacnotan PNP located at Brgy Cabaroan

Sana nilakihan nila ng kaunti :colgate:

From: La Union Police Provincial Office Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=205400019507962&set=a.205399962841301.46472.163487207032577&type=1&theater&pid=504233&id=163487207032577)

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285271_10150381759992388_601072387_10346955_7337981_n.jpg

From: Natives of La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150381759992388&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater)

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284146_10150247632200886_573270885_7585971_4890_n.jpg

Photo by: Jongjong Espanto from Natives of La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150247632200886&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater&pid=7585971&id=573270885)

This is beautiful.

Santo Tomas, La Union

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/74263_154812361226487_154811744559882_256747_7882103_n.jpg


From: Sto.Tomas, La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=154812361226487&set=a.154812091226514.25552.154811744559882&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=154812094559847&set=a.154812091226514.25552.154811744559882&type=1&theater&pid=256744&id=154811744559882)

ang ganda naman ng view! :eek:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285271_10150381759992388_601072387_10346955_7337981_n.jpg

From: Natives of La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150381759992388&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater)

wow hugo parang ang sarap niyan, nakakagutom. :eat: sa La Union lang ba may ingkiwar?

wow hugo parang ang sarap niyan, nakakagutom. :eat: sa La Union lang ba may ingkiwar?

marami iyan sa La Union at sa Ilocos, usual na kakanin iyan. Malilig kasi sa festivals ang mayor namin kaya naisip niya iyan. Noong siya ang mayor (1998-2007) may ganyang festival narin ang Bauang

BIGGER DREAMS

Colayco said he had suggested to then President Arroyo to devote the whole of some 4,400-hectares of the Clark Freeport for the DMIA and an aviation and cargo logistics hub.

He added that some 1,000-hectare had been set aside for tourism and leisure investments at par with Sentosa Island in Singapore and Las Vegas in Nevada, USA.

The then planned investments to be offered to international firms “will be all connected to the availability of a well-prepared Clark airport and Subic ports,” he added.

“Maybe GMA (Arroyo) was so busy then she failed to listen to my suggestion at Clark. And Maybe President Aquino is too busy now, he may not be able to do the same (fully develop Clark airport and its related investments),” said Colayco.

But he stressed that the Filipinos should take advantage of “corrupt-less” president in Aquino to push for development and progress in the country, notably in Region III. Aquino is from Tarlac.

Colayco, however, pointed out that “there should also be work and not just removing corruption in government.”

He said CDC, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) and BCDA officials should set aside personal interest and politics to “truly synergize” the development in Clark and Subic and the Central Luzon provinces-Pampanga, Tarlac, Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales and Bulacan.

‘Why develop further Poro Point (Freeport in La Union) or say, John Hay in Baguio City? Ano ang panama niyang mga yan (to Central Luzon) may airport at sea port tayo na maganda at gawa na,” said Colayco.

CDC President and CEO Felipe Antonio Remollo earlier wrote to Aquino, asking him to allow him control of the entire Freeport, including the some 2,300-hectare controlled by the CIAC headed by Victor Jose Luciano.

Some 2,100 is allotted to the CDC, a subsidiary of the BCDA.

Colayco said “we should live to it that Clark is divided into two but don’t ever touch or remove a portion of the area” allotted for the development of the Clark airport, which now averages 80 international and local flights per week.

Colayco said “synergy is just on news but not on real action.” He said the development at Clark and Subic should spill over to neighboring communities “but that’s not what’s happening right now.”

Colayco said the Clark officials “should dream bigger” and attract big-time investments that will draw “massive activities” and jobs for the people in Pampanga and nearby provinces.

There are at least 507 locators at Clark generating some 61,000 jobs.

He added that the “real synergy” is allowing areas outside of Clark to attract new businesses complementing the development at the Freeport.

http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/11698/Volume-5-No-36/Headlines/?Manila-rotten-Clark-perfect?-br-Ex-CDC-head-tells-officials-to-?dream-bigger?

^^ Anong reaction niyo sa statement na iyan above?

I can say that as the former BCDA sana nakita rin niya ang importance ng Poro Point at CJH sa ekonomiya ng North Luzon. Economy would run faster and prices of goods will be cheaper if we have more ports. Makakatipid ang mga businessmen sa shipping costs kapag dadaong sa Poro Point for example (if they have businesses nearby Poro Point) kaysa naman kung sa Subic pa dadaong ang mga goods, edi another shipping cost uli from Subic to any point in the north. Parang ang ignorante naman niya.

DILG R1 pushes Palawan River for New 7 Wonders of Nature

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 23 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 1 will launch the Puerto Princesa Underground River-N7WN campaign, July 25 to promote and push for its proclamation as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The PPUR-N7WN Task Force headed by DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo will undertake the aggressive voting campaign in both the local and international arena.

Some of the activities to be included in the launching include the audio-video presentation of the PPUR and the synchronized text voting of all regional and provincial office personnel of the department in the region.

DILG Regional Director Manuel Biason has issued a Memorandum Circular No. 2011-106, directing all the local chief executives to officially set off on the PPUR-N7WN campaign in their respective local government units.

An advisory was also issued to all members of the Region 1 Management Coordinating Committee: the Philippine National Police, National Police Commission, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Philippine Public Safety College to conduct activities in launching the campaign in their agencies and all field units.

The department promoted the PPUR-N7WN campaign to all local government officials and other functionaries as early as March this year. The voting will close on November 11.

The PPUR is the lone official nominee of the Philippines to the N7WN, a Swiss-based polling campaign highlighting and celebrating the beauty of the planet.
“Support the PPUR-N7WN campaign, text PPUR (equivalent to 1 vote) or PPUR7 (for 7 votes) or PPUR15 (for 15 votes) to 2861 (applicable to all networks) or visit www.new7wonders.com. Atin to!” (ANL/MPA-DILG/PIA 1 La Union)

source link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/feature/2011/07/23/two-resorts-168529

By Debb Bautista
Saturday, July 23, 2011

Thunderbird

TO CELEBRATE the birthday of Ethan Sameon (my four-year-old apo), his parents Tintin and Shem invited the whole clan to Thunderbird Resorts in Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union. Although check-in time is at 2 p.m., the families drove down early to have an early swim at the resort's infinity swimming pool or play at the beach. After all, it was an easy 1-hour drive from Baguio. When we all met, there were 35 of us!

The breathtaking view from my room is just incredible. I could see the sea with Poro Point at the far end and the Mediterranean-inspired architecture structures on the foreground. Thunderbird was the perfect place for me to escape from Baguio and to relax to my heart's content.


The Resort is the only five-star Hotel in the region. It has a world class golf course and a luxurious beach club. Other amenities include restaurants, Fiesta Casino and Events Center, Spa and Wellness Center, and also a commercial area.

We had pure family fun. After swimming, I simply took my own private time to be by the shore taking photographs, meditating, and taking deep breaths while facing the ocean to rejuvenate my lungs. In the meantime, other members of the family were at the beach, swimming pool, or just strolling around the manicured grounds.

Thunderbird is truly a piece of paradise!

source link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/feature/2011/07/23/two-resorts-168529

^^ Anong reaction niyo sa statement na iyan above?

I can say that as the former BCDA sana nakita rin niya ang importance ng Poro Point at CJH sa ekonomiya ng North Luzon. Economy would run faster and prices of goods will be cheaper if we have more ports. Makakatipid ang mga businessmen sa shipping costs kapag dadaong sa Poro Point for example (if they have businesses nearby Poro Point) kaysa naman kung sa Subic pa dadaong ang mga goods, edi another shipping cost uli from Subic to any point in the north. Parang ang ignorante naman niya.

hindi talaga nag-iisip ang mga pulitiko kapag nagsasalita na sila sa harap ng media, panay pasikat.:bash: i'm from central luzon at maganda yung sinusulong niya para sa central luzon, pero unfair naman para sa ibang Pilipino especially sa taga north luzon (kung nasan ang poro point at camp john hay) yung mga salitang binitawan niya. hindi lang naman central luzon ang dapat umunlad, mas maganda nga kung maunlad lahat ng lugar sa Pilipinas. dapat hindi centralized ang kaunlaran (kagaya ng nangyayari sa Pilipinas na nasa Metro Manila na lahat halos ng kapangyarihan sa negosyo, pulitika,etc ay nandoon). dapat equally distributed ang focus ng gobyerno sa bawat region ng Pilipinas.

^^ kaya pala medyo mailap sa investments ang Poro Point at CJH ngayon, ang focus nga BCDA naman kasi ay puro sa Clark at Subic nalang, though malaki talaga ang naitutulong ng Subic at Clark sa pag-usbong ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Nadedecongest ang Manila dahil sa Clark at Subic. Kulang ang marketing na ginagawa ng BCDA sa 2 eco zones na ito sa North Luzon. It is good na ginagawa na ang TPLUEx, para interconnected na ang mga economic zones sa North Manila - Subic-Clark-Baguio-Poro Point.

^^ Anong reaction niyo sa statement na iyan above?

I can say that as the former BCDA sana nakita rin niya ang importance ng Poro Point at CJH sa ekonomiya ng North Luzon. Economy would run faster and prices of goods will be cheaper if we have more ports. Makakatipid ang mga businessmen sa shipping costs kapag dadaong sa Poro Point for example (if they have businesses nearby Poro Point) kaysa naman kung sa Subic pa dadaong ang mga goods, edi another shipping cost uli from Subic to any point in the north. Parang ang ignorante naman niya.

Yes agree, puede naman nilang pagsabayin ang development sa Central and northern Luzon para mapalaki ang scope ng beneficiaries na pinoys particularly Clark, Subic, nearby provinces and Poro Point. Tama yung sabi niya, developments should spill over to nearby provinces not only in Clark and Subic.

Yes agree, puede naman nilang pagsabayin ang development sa Central and northern Luzon para mapalaki ang scope ng beneficiaries na pinoys particularly Clark, Subic, nearby provinces and Poro Point. Tama yung sabi niya, developments should spill over to nearby provinces not only in Clark and Subic.

Agree ako diyan, pero yup sana huwag rin pabayaan ang Poro Point at CJH.

^^ kaya pala medyo mailap sa investments ang Poro Point at CJH ngayon, ang focus nga BCDA naman kasi ay puro sa Clark at Subic nalang, though malaki talaga ang naitutulong ng Subic at Clark sa pag-usbong ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Nadedecongest ang Manila dahil sa Clark at Subic. Kulang ang marketing na ginagawa ng BCDA sa 2 eco zones na ito sa North Luzon. It is good na ginagawa na ang TPLUEx, para interconnected na ang mga economic zones sa North Manila - Subic-Clark-Baguio-Poro Point.

Ano na ang mga locators sa Poro Point Freeport Zone bukod sa Thunderbird Bird resort? Yes, malaking bagay ang TPLEX, lalo na kung i-deretso iyan sa San Fernando saka yung Northrail phase 4. May nabasa nga pala ako, see this article:

Customs transforms La Union port into regional hub for containerized cargoes

May 2, 2011

The long slumbering Port of San Fernando in La Union, utilized mainly by rice, coal and fertilizer shippers, will soon become a hub for the fast, safe, cost-efficient and convenient movement of containerized cargoes in Region I.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said this would soon become a reality with the scheduled maiden voyage of a containerized vessel to the Port of San Fernando by the end of this month.

Alvarez disclosed that the introduction of a container system in the Port of San Fernando was conceived way back in the early 1990s when big companies like Bacnotan Cement, San Miguel Corporation and Philipps Mining expressed interest to avail themselves of the system.

The project, however, was indefinitely shelved when the proponents could not find funding sources to upgrade the structural foundation of the Port of San Fernando piers which could only support bulk and break bulk shipments but not those in container vans.

But the present stewards of the Bureau of Customs found a way to overcome the structural limitations of the Port thru the simple expedient of using a mother vessel to collect all Region 1 – bound containerized shipments from the Port of Manila and then have those transshipped to San Fernando with the help of smaller containerized feeder vessels.

Alvarez said smaller vessels would naturally require smaller equipment to conduct loading and discharging operations.

To jumpstart the maiden voyage, the Poro Point Industrial Corporation (which owns a 25-year contract as exclusive cargo handler at the pier) has offered a reduced arrastre and wharfage dues, a wide container yard to accomodate 1000 TEUs at any given day, a provision for reefer containers, dangerous cargo area, stalag for motor vehicles and clearer traffic for haulers and other cargo trucks.

The Poro Point Management Corporation (the management arm of the Bases Conversion Development Authority for the Poro Point Free Port Zone), for its part offered, a 24/7 secured 10,000 sq. m. adjacent lot as holding area and Customs examination area.

Alvarez said the containerized vessels’ schedule was initially set at 3 times a week.

“The new regime of containerization in the Port of San Fernando�?, added Alvarez, “is expected to enhance Region 1’s attractiveness to investors and thus create opportunities for enhanced job creation that will jumpstart economic activities in the area.�?

Quoting from a report submitted by Port of San Fernando District Collector Fidel Villanueva, Alvarez said big locators at the Poro Point Freeport like the Thunderbird Pilipinas Resorts & Hotel and Casino, LATIMCO, and the new multi-million Mama Sita Corp., manufacturer of the world renowned food condiment of the Reyes Group of Companies, were all excited to have their containerized cargoes transshipped directly to Poro Point. Even balikbayans and OFWs from the region numbering tens of thousands - most of whom are based in the USA, Hongkong, Taiwan, Korea and the Middle East - have started requesting for “door-to-door�? rates that would be charged by local forwarders, believing that they would be cheaper than the those presently being charged by Manila-based forwarders.

“The project,�? according to Alvarez, “enjoys the support of Governor Amado Espino and Vice-Governor Ferdie Calimlim of Pangasinan, Governor Manoling Ortega of La Union, former Deputy Speaker Eric Singson and the regional officials of the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Trade and Department of Tourism.

http://www.customs.gov.ph/newsView.php?id=65

^^ So far, ito ang alam kong mga locators ng Poro Point. karamihan ay mga government offices at mga ito:

Shell, Caltex, Flying V at Petron Oil Depots
National Grid Corporation

heto pa, mula sa archives

Originally Posted by nebelwerferXXX View Post
As of now, the Private-owned structures at Poro Point & surrounding vicinity are the following:

1) Thunderbird Resort Hotel & Casino (Five-Star)
2) Miramonte
3) NAPS Hotel & Restaurant
4) Petron Depot
5) Caltex Depot
6) Shell Depot
7) Transco
8) Yara
9) Seapark Beach (Shipside)
10) Ocean Deep Scuba Diving
11) Blue Lagoon
12) Come Inn
13) Sunset Bay
14) Coral Point
15) Ritz Apartelle
16) Go Inn
17) Entertainment District

As of now, the Government infrastructures at Poro Point & surrounding vicinity are the following:

1) Philippines Relay Station (formerly VOA)
2) 258th Headquarters (formerly Wallace Air Base)
3) Poro Naval Station
4) PPA
5) PPA Beach Cottages
6) Philippine Coast Guard
7) Pier 1 (major structure)
8) Pier 2 (major structure)
9) Police Assistance Center
10) Poro Elementary School
11) San Fernando Airport (major structure)
12) Police Sub-station/Brgy. Hall & Health Center
13) Gate 1
14) Gate 2
15) 3.9-km Pennsylvania Avenue
16) 1.9-km Airport Road
17) 1.5-km Canaoay Beach Road

BAUANG BEACH - San Fernando City, La Union

from a blog posted by Oooneh at http://ooohneh.blogspot.com/2011/06/bauang.html

Before the dawn of La Union as the surfing capital north of the Philippines, was the prominence of the Bauang Beach (also in San Fernando) as a swimming destination. Numerous resorts were built on its long stretch of gray sand beach. However, the conditions of these resorts were not as great as it used to be. Through time, Bauang Beach slowly slipped behind emerging surfing beaches of San Juan, La Union.

What I felt during my stay at Bauang Beach in Long Beach Resort was the nostalgia of people unbiased to the beach sand hue. Bauang Beach could never compete with popularized white sand beaches throughout the Philippines, but it boasts of a rich historical significance as the docking site to the soldiers during World War II stretching as far as the Lingayen Gulf.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2UKx_woYlo/Tf4eUSwRpNI/AAAAAAAAAk4/tWXbUCrYddw/s640/IMG_3630.JPG

So to me, this place has more to offer than the usual fun and sun..
Appreciate the calmness of the South China Sea early morning while enjoying a cup of coffee.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKKyYxZhaRA/Tf4eYmQUowI/AAAAAAAAAlA/oqzX5RrOVQA/s640/IMG_3704.JPG

Bangar Patronal Fiesta - Feast of St. Cristopher July 23-25, 2011

:banana::banana::banana::cheers:

BAUANG BEACH - San Fernando City, La Union

from a blog posted by Oooneh at http://ooohneh.blogspot.com/2011/06/bauang.html

Before the dawn of La Union as the surfing capital north of the Philippines, was the prominence of the Bauang Beach (also in San Fernando) as a swimming destination. Numerous resorts were built on its long stretch of gray sand beach. However, the conditions of these resorts were not as great as it used to be. Through time, Bauang Beach slowly slipped behind emerging surfing beaches of San Juan, La Union.

What I felt during my stay at Bauang Beach in Long Beach Resort was the nostalgia of people unbiased to the beach sand hue. Bauang Beach could never compete with popularized white sand beaches throughout the Philippines, but it boasts of a rich historical significance as the docking site to the soldiers during World War II stretching as far as the Lingayen Gulf.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2UKx_woYlo/Tf4eUSwRpNI/AAAAAAAAAk4/tWXbUCrYddw/s640/IMG_3630.JPG

So to me, this place has more to offer than the usual fun and sun..
Appreciate the calmness of the South China Sea early morning while enjoying a cup of coffee.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKKyYxZhaRA/Tf4eYmQUowI/AAAAAAAAAlA/oqzX5RrOVQA/s640/IMG_3704.JPG

I am extremly drawn to the pair of coffee cups/saucer on the table facing the wavy shore of Bauang Beach. I thought, what a better way to spend a romantic breakfast with my significant other with this stunning sight. Gorgeous indeed. :cheers:

METROBANK ata yun HUGO hindi BANCO DE ORO

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285271_10150381759992388_601072387_10346955_7337981_n.jpg

From: Natives of La Union Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150381759992388&set=o.36219002972&type=1&theater)

2006 na pic po ito....

^^ pasensya sa mga mali ko sa thread

07.25.2011

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will hold the 2011 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for Stakeholders in Region I which have provided exemplary support to the BSP's statistical undertakings, information needs and advocacy programs. With the theme "Ikaw at ang BSP: Working for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth," the event will be held on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the BSP La Union Regional Office, San Fernando City and is part of the Bangko Sentral's 18th anniversary celebration.

The BSP will bestow awards to the Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms and the Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms for the Business Expectations Survey. Awardees were selected from among the respondents to the survey that are included in the country's top corporations in the region. A new award, Recognition for Information Sources for the Report on Regional Economic Developments, will also be given this year to recognize other stakeholders that provide the BSP with information support to have an effective scan of the environment in the regions. Monetary Board Member Ignacio R. Bunye will lead in honoring this year's awardees and stakeholders.

This occasion is the second of the series of BSP's regional stakeholders' events which will be conducted from July to September 2011 in eight areas outside the National Capital Region (AONCR) to honor stakeholders in various awards categories. These include Business Expectations Survey Outstanding Respondents, Recognition for Financial Learning Campaign Partners, and Information Sources for the Report on Regional Economic Developments.

Stakeholders of the BSP in NCR and Region IV were earlier recognized during the awards ceremony held on 6 July 2011 at the BSP Main Office while two additional awards were conferred to the stakeholders in Region VII last 15 July 2011 at the BSP Cebu Regional Office in Cebu City. To date, a total of 31 awardees were feted for their outstanding support and participation in the BSP's survey and advocacies, two of which were also elevated to the Hall of Fame.

This event is expected to further strengthen the partnerships between the BSP and its stakeholders in information gathering and advocacy campaigns that will help carry out its mandate of maintaining price stability and promoting financial stability in the country.

source link: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=2634

TPLEx toll plaza transfer rejected

TPLEx toll plaza transfer rejected
By DEXTER A. SEE
July 25, 2011, 3:56pm

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — The House Committee on Public Works gave its thumbs down on a proposal to relocate the toll plaza of the 84-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) to the town proper of Rosario, La Union.

Benguet Representative Ronald M. Cosalan, the committee chairman, said the proposed transfer of the expressway’s toll plaza to Rosario from its original site near Marcos Highway and Kennon Road was impractical.

Cosalan said one of the purposes of the P27-billion expressway is to enhancing the growth of the tourism industry through improved travel time.

He said that to transfer the toll plaza approximately 7 kilometers away from its original site which is close to two major roads leading to Baguio, Benguet and the Cordillera, will no longer serve the purpose of providing convenient travel to motorists visiting tourist destinations in Northern Luzon.

The lawmaker said that once the toll plaza is transferred to Rosario, as what some Pangasinan politicians want, it will be more expensive on the part of the government because more infrastructure such as flyovers will be built from the toll plaza leading to Marcos Highway and Kennon Road in order to accommodate the huge volume of motorists wanting to go up to Baguio and Benguet and enjoy the cool and romantic climate there.

The TPLEx will form part of the expressways that strand from Metro Manila up to Northern Luzon in order to improve and reduce travel time which will be beneficial to the agricultural, economic and tourism development of provinces located north of Manila.

Cosalan said the proposal of some Pangasinan congressmen to transfer the location of the expressway’s toll plaza will just be an added burden for the national government, considering that it will again result to more expenditures which is unlikely to happen, thus, the need to stick with the original plan of having the toll plaza right at the mouth of Marcos Highway and Kennon Road.

Once the highway will be completed in the next two to three years, the lawmaker claimed more foreign and domestic tourists will be enticed to visit Baguio and Benguet and the different parts of the Cordillera because they will have more time to go around the tourist destinations due to the significantly reduced travel time.

From the regular four to five hours travel from Baguio to Manila and vice versa, motorists will be able to go to their respective points of destination in Baguio and Manila in just a little over three hours passing through the TPLEX once it will be completed.

Cosalan claimed appropriate representations were already made with concerned officials of the DPWH.

source link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/328225/tplex-toll-plaza-transfer-rejected

By FREDDIE G. LAZARO
July 22, 2011, 3:21pm

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina has brought new sense of pride in this city as one of three public servants in Region 1 vying for the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC’s) 2011 National Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III confirmed that Medina is one of the semi-finalists in the Dangal ng Bayan category.

Duque also revealed that La Union Governor Manuel Ortega is a semi-finalist in the Pagasa category while the Metro La Union Water District Special Audit Team under the Commission on Audit Regional Office 1 is a semi-finalist in the Lingkod Bayan category.

They are among the 52 individual and eight group semi-finalists currently under re-evaluation to determine who will receive the Presidential Lingkog Bayan, Dangal ng Bayan and Pagasa Awards.

Duque said the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is given to an individual or group for exceptional contributions resulting from an idea or performance on public interest.

The Pagasa Award is awarded to an individual or group for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of government on a certain degree of standards.

source link: http://www3.mb.com.ph/articles/327834/vigan-mayor-eyeing-csc-award

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Provincial Board Member Manuel Victor “Mannix” R. Ortega, Jr. leads municipal officials of San Juan in distributing Phil-Health Cards to selected indigents from seven barangays of San Juan, La Union, during the Operation Rangay Iti Barangay (ORB) held on July 21, 2011 at the Barangay Hall of Dasay, San Juan, La Union.

Photo By: Alfredo R. Buenaventura,Jr.


from: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=247514248600514&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater)

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Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso “Procy” J. Alcala receives an envelope containing requests and resolutions regarding the management of agriculture production in La Union from Gov. Manuel C. Ortega during his visit to the province on July 21, 2011.

From: La Union Information and Tourism Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=247514248600514&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=247515778600361&set=a.208595342492405.55111.204145946270678&type=1&theater&pid=961975&id=204145946270678)

^^ Anong reaction niyo sa statement na iyan above?

I can say that as the former BCDA sana nakita rin niya ang importance ng Poro Point at CJH sa ekonomiya ng North Luzon. Economy would run faster and prices of goods will be cheaper if we have more ports. Makakatipid ang mga businessmen sa shipping costs kapag dadaong sa Poro Point for example (if they have businesses nearby Poro Point) kaysa naman kung sa Subic pa dadaong ang mga goods, edi another shipping cost uli from Subic to any point in the north. Parang ang ignorante naman niya.

Tama na walang panama ang Poro Point at John Hay kumpara sa naglalakihan na Clark at Subic pero kailangan din na magkaroon ng decentralization ang developed na lugar kagaya ng Clark at Subic para ma-develop at maging self supporting din ang PP at JH. Paano ngayon kung walang trabaho sa PP at JH? sigurado marami ang mag-migrate sa Pampanga at Zambales para maghanap ng trabaho kasi yan ang kagustuhan ni Colayco

heto pa, mula sa archives

Other major locators aside from Thunderbird Casino and Resort are Latimco Wood Products and Mama Sita Corp. of the Reyes Group of Companies

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Good evening. Thanks for the info sirs about Poro Point. With the presence of seaport and international airport in San Fernando City, it is very conducive for doing business since it also offers investment incentives like that of other freeport zones such as Clark and Subic.

^^ malaki talaga ang potensyal ng San Fernando, seaport, airport, beach, 5-star hotel, under-construction na expressway (TPLUEx), ano pa ba ang kulang sa San Fernando? compare naman sa ibang city mas maraming pang-akit ang San Fernando sa investors. plus the fact the they are the regional center of their region. :) :cheers:

^^ malaki talaga ang potensyal ng San Fernando, seaport, airport, beach, 5-star hotel, under-construction na expressway (TPLUEx), ano pa ba ang kulang sa San Fernando? compare naman sa ibang city mas maraming pang-akit ang San Fernando sa investors. plus the fact the they are the regional center of their region. :) :cheers:

Agree, kailangan lang siguro isama sa promotion and marketing ang mga economic zones natin sa provinces pag may foreign travel ang pangulo citing what these sites can offer to investors for job generation purposes at isa ding paraan para ma-decongest ang Metro.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The future of business in the countryside is very bright, considering all factors and drivers propelling the local economy, a top Pampanga businessman said.

Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) chairman Levy P. Laus, who is also chief executive officer of conglomerate Laus Group of Companies (http://www.lausgroup.com.ph/aboutus.html) (LGC), told members of the Rotary Club of San Fernando during the group’s regular meeting Wednesday that business is very good with necessary drivers like overseas Filipino workers who come from and remit their earnings back to the province, as well as agriculture, which is also countryside-based.

Win US $500 cash in Sun.Star’s music video contest

“There is so much growth in the countryside and in this city, province and the rest of North Luzon,” Laus said.

Laus, who is a Rotarian himself, said the confidence of the masses and businessmen on President Benigno Aquino III is helping fuel the wheels of industry and commerce.

“With such confidence, we can always seize opportunities and not let go of them. In fact, globally, the country is now branded as one of 11 emerging markets. If I may, we at LGC are continuously expanding our dealerships in Ilocos, San Fernando [La Union], Calasiao in Pangasinan, Tarlac and Subic. Not ignoring such opportunities, we now have the biggest car dealerships in the country,” he said.

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PamCham chairman and LGC chairman and CEO Levy P. Laus speaks before members of the Rotary Club of San Fernando about countryside business. Listening on are Rotarians CG Garcia, Felix Paras and Gil Pamandanan. (Jovi T. De Leon)


Laus also spoke of his experience when he addressed officers and stockholders of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation during its recent annual meeting, which was recognized by its president, Helen Yuchengco-Dy, as the "best they heard."

“I really was thinking why me? I am but a simple son of San Fernando but then I realized later that the RCBC people wanted to hear of our success and developments in the countryside,” he said, adding “I was proud that I am from the countryside and a son of San Fernando.”

Laus also shared some tips from Thomas Stanley’s bestseller “Millionaire’s Mind”, which he said he always adhered to and kept in mind.

“First is honesty and integrity. Second is discipline. Third is social skills. The fourth is a supportive spouse. And the fifth, which I think is very important, is loving and enjoying your work and profession,” he said, noting that good health is a plus factor in success.

“Businesses must be well-planned to reduce risks. But considering what is happening now, I could very well say that the future for countryside businesses is very bright,” Laus ended.

source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/07/27/bizman-countryside-future-bright-169320)

namiss ko mag-SSC

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Very nice. Sa wakas at makakabili narin ng de-kalidad na mga home tools.

Any update pala sa balak ng Best Home na mag-put up ng branch sa SFC?

Good evening. Thanks for the info sirs about Poro Point. With the presence of seaport and international airport in San Fernando City, it is very conducive for doing business since it also offers investment incentives like that of other freeport zones such as Clark and Subic.

I hope that the BCDA or Poro Point Management Corp. could expand the seaport to accomodate bigger cargo ships. I also hope that the local government could have a tourism master plan like that of Ilocos Norte in order to attract airline companies and other investments:cheers:

^^ malaki talaga ang potensyal ng San Fernando, seaport, airport, beach, 5-star hotel, under-construction na expressway (TPLUEx), ano pa ba ang kulang sa San Fernando? compare naman sa ibang city mas maraming pang-akit ang San Fernando sa investors. plus the fact the they are the regional center of their region. :) :cheers:

ang kulang nalang siguro ay isang major urban development sa mismong city proper. saka na muna ang big malls gaya ng SM or Robinsons

Schools which have subscribed to Genyo Online Learning Management Program are doing more school activities electronically. Integration happens not just during classroom discussions but also with other school activities.

At the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, the student council election became “high tech” as students bid goodbye to manual elections. Held recently, Grades 4 to 7 Lourdesians set aside the usual ballots and hovered their mouse and clicked onto their chosen candidates.

The election was held with the assistance of Genyo’s Learning Integration Specialist under the supervision of the school student government coordinator. Since it was automated, results were generated fast.

“Voting through Genyo saves a lot of time.” “Automated election doesn’t affect the flow of classes that much”; and “ Online election minimized the burden on the teachers in manually collecting and counting the votes of the students”. These are among feedback elicited by the students after the elections.

Jose Maria T. Policarpio, Diwa Learning Systems Executive Director, states. ”There are many benefits in having a fully integrated ICT program like Genyo. Students and teachers do not only enjoy vast teaching and learning resources, there are also other resources available that can be utilized by the school administration, teachers and student officers for campus activities,” says

Diwa Learning Systems, the country’s acknowledged leader in ICT integration in education, produced Genyo in partnership with Singapore-based Marshalll Cavendish online. Genyo’s multimedia course contents, interactive quizzes and activities cover five major basic education subjects: English, Math, Science, Filipino and Araling Panlipunan/Hekasi.

On the part of La Consolacion-Pasig, students experienced more excitement during their student orientation.

Genyo Learning Integration Specialist Ms. Ma. Elizabeth Molina held the student orientation through storytelling using Genyo’s interactive features. The students were in awe as they saw the discussion come to life with Genyo’s colorful visuals, videos, audio clips and other interactive resources.

Incoming students were shown how they can access the website, the important things to remember upon logging in. They were also briefed on the policies to be followed inside the Genyo laboratory.

For the Math Club of St. Louis College in San Fernando City, La Union, Genyo gave them a facility to make Math more interesting for students. Last school year, during its Science Month Celebration, the student organization launched a Math trivia contest utilizing Genyo’s examination tools.

One of the students, Jane Paglicawan beamed with joy when she won on the last day of the trivia contest. “I didn’t expect to win. I sent my answers every night but with the number of students joining the contest, I didn’t expect to win,’ says Paglicawan. That feat made Paglicawan realize that she does not really dislike Math but only admits to its difficulty

For information on Genyo, log on to www.genyo.com.ph

source link: http://rubycomm.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/more-schools-genyo-fied-automated-student-elections-ict-integrated-school-briefings-and-other-benefits-of-e-learning/

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 28 (PIA) -- In adherence to the adaptation measures on the impact of climate change and the government’s program on water conservation, the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office I will implement this year the Rain Water Collection System (RWCS).

RA 6716 provides for the construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, development of springs and rehabilitation of existing water wells in different barangays all over the country

DPWH1 Director Veniedo Reyes said that they are complying with the directive of DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson as mandated by the Climate Change Commission now chaired by the President himself, to fasttrack the construction of RWCS as it is an urgent call to address the grave effects of climate change leading to possible water problem/source in the future.

This project was launched in April 2010 by Senator Loren Legarda, then chairman of the Senate committee on climate change.

RCWS refers to the gathering, or accumulating and storing of rainwater in various type of water impounding infrastructure. Aside from its being cost-efficient and effective way of addressing water shortage problem in times of severe drought, it is said to be of great help in mitigating floods that cause heavy damage to crops and properties.

RWCS has been proven helpful in other countries as source of safe drinking water, used for livestock, irrigation and for refilling aquifers in a process called ground water recharge. Aquifer is a layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel through which ground water flows, containing enough water to supply wells and springs

At these times RCWS is pushed for adoption in all parts of the country to supplement various purposes such as washing cars, watering garden plants, flushing toilets and others.

Director Reyes emphasized “kailangan ngayon pa lang ay madagdagan na natin ang mga paraan para makaipon, at makatipid sa paggamit ng tubig, hindi lang para sa atin kundi para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon ” (As early as now we need to seek for possible ways of conserving water that would benefit not hjust the present generation but for the future generations to come) he added.

Regional Public Information Officer Esper C. Tinaza reported that DPWH Central Office has allotted an initial fund of P38 million for the construction of rainwater collection facilities nationwide.

Tinaza updated that in Region I, the DPWH Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office has started the RWCS construction while the Regional office and their 8 other District Engineering Offices have already selected their target beneficiaries as well as advertised and scheduled biddings after which the construction of the facilities follows.

The rainwater collection facilities design vary depending on the capacity like from reinforced concrete ground storage tank that has a capacity of 8,000 liters of water, reinforce ground storage tank with 4,000 liters capacity, plastic container tank with 4,000 liters and the concrete stage storage tank with capacity of 60,000 liters.

Tinaza added that the RWCS shall be installed within public school compounds or public buildings with no existing water supply or source of water is limited or scarce.

The DPWH Regional and District Engineering Offices shall enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the concerned Principal or the recipient of the RWCS if there is no public school or public building qualified. As an alternative public market may be considered, Tinaza explained. (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La Union with reports from DPWH1)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=45874

July 27, 2011, 5:10pm

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M. FLORENDO, Philippines — Police are not only concerned in protecting the people but also the enviroment.

Wednesday at least 65 personnel from Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) with barangay officials and members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPAT’s) of San Vicente and Pagudpud, and about a hundred students from the La Union National High School (LUNHS participated in a coastal clean-up activity in San Fernando City, La Union.

Police Superintendent Efren E. Javier, deputy chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Division (RPCRD), led the police personnel in picking up garbage and various waste materials at the shorelines of Barangays San Vicente and Pagudpud, both in San Fernando City, La Union. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

source link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/328507/cleaning-la-union-coast

by Alice Naungayan-Rioteta

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, July 27 (PIA) -- In support to the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Aquino administration, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) headed by Secretary Jesse M. Robredo and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) represented by its Chairman, Mr. Hernan Z Basbaño, teamed up for the greening activity.

According to Local Government Operations Officer V Lily Ann O. Colisao, a Memorandum of Agreement between the DILG and the KBP was forged and established partnership to advocate and encourage wider public involvement and participation for the successful conduct of seedling generation and their subsequent planting in barangays throughout the country.

Colisao said both institutions committed to harness support and cooperation for the program from the civil society organizations, media groups, the community and other local-based green and environmental advocates.

A memorandum was issued recently by DILG Region 1 Director Manuel V. Biason to all its provincial directors and field officers enjoining them to conduct advocacy activities in their respective areas of jurisdiction in line with the NGP.

The office also took part in the NGP Region 1 launching conducted in Caba, La Union last June 25. As contribution to the NGP, all regional office management and staff have committed to plant 10 seedlings each starting August 12 in Barangay Masicong, City of San Fernando, La Union, an identified NGP planting site by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR).

The NGP is an effort of the present administration to harmonize and integrate all greening programs in the country. Its objectives are poverty reduction, food security, land productivity, environmental stability and sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaption, and value formation.

The program, compared to past greening efforts, will ensure survival of planted seedlings through strict monitoring implementation of the program which will employ the multi-sectoral-convergence approach with the DENR as the lead agency.

The goal of NGP is to plant 1.5 million hectares of land with 1.5 billion seedlings from 2011 to 2016.(JCR/ANR-PIA-1 La Union/DILG-1)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=45747

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union July 26 (PIA) -- Aiming to grab the chance to be included in the World’s Best Wonders which would bring benefit not just to the people of Palawan, but for the country as a whole, Department of Public Works and Highways Director Veniedo O. Reyes, being one of the concerned national agency head pushes for the promotion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River-New 7 Wonders of Nature (PPUR-N7WN) campaign which was launched Monday, July 25.

As an act of patriotism as well as for the national pride, Reyes, for his part, encouraged his constituents to support the campaign by voting thru the internet N7WN Website, text messaging or via telephone line.

Reyes quoted that:” with over 30 million internet users and 77 million mobile phone subscribers nationwide, siguradong pasok ang PPUR pag lahat ay bumoto dito.”

According to Esperanza C. Tinaza, the agency’s Regional Information Officer, DPWH also had a program on July 25 where a documentary film video of the PPUR campaign was shown.

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III signed proclamation No. 182 dated June 3, 2011 “Declaring the National and International Promotion Campaign for the PPUR as one of the New Seven (7) Wonders of Nature”.

PPUR is an 8.2-kilometer long river formed 30 million years ago and is the lone official nominee of the Philippines to the N7WN as it is considered the longest underground river in the world, with unique and outstanding scientific, biological and geological features recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and declared as a National Geological Monument in December 2003.

The N7WN which included PPUR in the search is a global polling campaign that started in 2007 by an independent, Swiss-based, government-controlled foundation that conducted the search of the New 7 Wonders of the World, an innovative marketing program that yielded economic, social and tourism benefits to the winning host countries.

Ensuring a unified support to the campaign, DPWH1 Administrative Chief, Silas R. Arellano led the simultaneous voting thru text during the program and said “what you see in the different states of America, you’ll find it in one place in the Philippines, Puerto Princesa. If PPUR will be included in the N7WN, our country, will be admired in the world and all of us Filipinos will be honored”

For the voting public, you may send your text votes to PPUR for single vote, PPUR7 for 7 votes, and PPUR15 for 15 votes to 2861 (this is applicable to all networks). Voting will end on November 11, 2011 (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La Union with reports from ECT-DPWH1)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=45458

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PNP COASTAL CLEAN-UP: To adhere with the identity of being environmental advocates, the Regional Police Community Relations Division (RPCRD) of the Police Regional Office 1, headed by Police Superintendent Efren E. Javier initiated the coastal clean-up or manual picking of garbage and other waste materials early morning of Tuesday, July 26, along the shorelines and waterways of Barangays San Vicente and Pagudpud, San Fernando City. (JCR/MPA-PIA 1 La Union/photo by PSupt. RSR - PRO1)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&region=reg01

from a blog by: jhayguererro at http://jhayguerrero.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/2011-naguilian-la-union-philippines-basi-festival/

“Fiesta Ti Umili Grand Parade”
Tattan Naguilian La Union Philippines

This is my Town naguilian la union where you can find and also taste the home made original basi(wine)
Enjoy viewing my Shots ^^

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abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 07/29/2011 4:09 PM | Updated as of 07/29/2011 4:09 PM


MANILA, Philippines - State-owned casino operator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is expected to turn over P11.1 billion earnings to government next year.

This is P160 million higher than its expected income contribution of P10.94 billion this year.

In 2010, the gaming firm remitted about P10.343 billion to government, 6% lower compared to what it remitted the year before.

Pagcor is mandated under Republic Act 7656 or the Dividend Law to remit at least 50% of its gross earnings to government annually.

For the first half of this year, Pagcor reported total revenues of P17.22 billion, P1.68 billion or 10% higher year-on-year.

According to the company, its strong performance was a result of efforts to maximize resources, implement prudent fiscal policies and improve gaming facilities of its flagship "Casino Filipino" brand.

Pagcor currently operates 13 Casino Filipinos and has four other licensed casinos – Fontana Casino in Pampanga, East Bay Casino in Rizal, Poro Point Casino in La Union and Fort Stotsenberg also in Pampanga.

source (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/29/11/govt-eyes-p11-b-revenues-pagcor-next-year)

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Wow, ang ganda ng Pancake House sa inyo! Congratz for its grand opening today.:):):)

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: Wow Welcome Pancake House!!!:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::cheers:

07.29.2011

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will honor its stakeholders in Region XI who have provided exemplary support to the BSP's statistical undertakings, information needs and advocacy programs during the 2011 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders. This year's awards ceremony, with the theme "Ikaw at ang BSP: Working for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth," will be held on 2 August 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Apo View Hotel, Davao City and is part of the Bangko Sentral's 18th anniversary celebration.

Four awards will be given in Region XI-two for the Business Expectations Survey (BES) and two for the Information Sources for the Report on Regional Economic Developments, which is a new award category. The Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms and the Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms will be conferred to the awardees of the BES. They were selected from the country's top corporations in the region that are respondents to the survey. Meanwhile, the Recognition for Information Sources in generating the Report on Regional Economic Developments will be given to the government agency that provided the BSP with information support to have an effective scan of the environment in the regions.

Monetary Board Member Peter B. Favila will lead in honoring this year's awardees and stakeholders.

This occasion is the third leg of the BSP's regional stakeholders' events which started in July and will be conducted until September 2011 in eight areas outside the National Capital Region (AONCR) to honor stakeholders in various awards categories. These include Business Expectations Survey Outstanding Respondents, Recognition for Financial Learning Campaign Partners, and Information Sources for the Report on Regional Economic Developments. Stakeholders of the BSP in NCR and Region IV were earlier recognized during the awards ceremony held on 6 July 2011 at the BSP Main Office. This was followed by the regional events held at the BSP Cebu and the BSP La Union Regional Offices on 15 July and 26 July 2011, respectively. To date, a total of 35 awardees were feted for their outstanding support and participation in the BSP's survey and advocacies, two of which were also elevated to the Hall of Fame.

This event is expected to further strengthen the partnerships between the BSP and its stakeholders in information gathering and advocacy campaigns that will help carry out its mandate of maintaining price stability and promoting financial stability in the country.

http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=2638

abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 07/29/2011 4:09 PM | Updated as of 07/29/2011 4:09 PM


MANILA, Philippines - State-owned casino operator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is expected to turn over P11.1 billion earnings to government next year.

This is P160 million higher than its expected income contribution of P10.94 billion this year.

In 2010, the gaming firm remitted about P10.343 billion to government, 6% lower compared to what it remitted the year before.

Pagcor is mandated under Republic Act 7656 or the Dividend Law to remit at least 50% of its gross earnings to government annually.

For the first half of this year, Pagcor reported total revenues of P17.22 billion, P1.68 billion or 10% higher year-on-year.

According to the company, its strong performance was a result of efforts to maximize resources, implement prudent fiscal policies and improve gaming facilities of its flagship "Casino Filipino" brand.

Pagcor currently operates 13 Casino Filipinos and has four other licensed casinos – Fontana Casino in Pampanga, East Bay Casino in Rizal, Poro Point Casino in La Union and Fort Stotsenberg also in Pampanga.

source (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/29/11/govt-eyes-p11-b-revenues-pagcor-next-year)

as in licensed na (kung hindi man licensed noon dahil sa isyu months ago) uli ang Thunderbird? na-resolve na kaya ang isyu between them?

Damage to agriculture, infrastructure

Damage to agriculture was initially estimated at P110.913 million, while damage to infrastructure in Bicol alone was estimated at P1,021,927,899.66.

At least 16 houses were destroyed while 317 were damaged.

Roads, bridges

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Tanqui Bridge in San Fernando By-pass Road in La Union remained impassable due to damaged slab.

Some eight road sections in Central Luzon and Bicol also remained impassable due to floodwaters, landslides, washed–out abutment and collapsed pavement, the NDRRMC said. — RSJ, GMA News

link: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ndrrmc-juaning-death-toll-rises-41-004109902.html;_ylt=A7Tpc2YXdTJObkMAcALiV8d_;_ylu=X3oDMTNlbDJhNnJjBHBrZwMyOTdhNzVjOC1hMzI5LTNjMzYtYTE1MC04ZjRmMWI0NDU0OGUEcG9zAzEEc2VjA01lZGlhSnVtYm90cm9uQ29rZQR2ZXIDNzM4NTU5ZjAtYjk3Yi0xMWUwLTlmZDEtYmNkMjhkMGM2YzA2;_ylg=X3oDMTFpNDR0a2hyBGludGwDcGgEbGFuZwNlbi1waARwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3

^^ Ano yan di naman ata maganda ang pagkakarenovate ng Tanqui bridge. minadali ang construction nito

PGLU LINKS WITH DA’s AFMIS WEB SERVICE



By: Abigail D. Ancheta-Cabilin, PITO-LU



In support to its development partners, the Provincial Government

of La Union led by Gov. Manuel C. Ortega actively participated in the launching

of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Hands-on Training on the Agriculture

and Fisheries Market Information Service (AFMIS) in Region I. Together with

participating regional line agencies, representatives from the Provincial

Information and Tourism Office (PITO) and the Office of the Provincial

Agriculturist (OPAG) attended the two-day training on AFMIS Web Maintenance and

Data Uploading held on July 18-19, 2011 at the ORT Community Multi-purpose
Center, San Fernando City, La Union.



Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization

Act of 1997 (AFMA), states the need is “to empower Filipino Farmers and

Fisherfolks involved in Agriculture and Fisheries through the provision of

timely, accurate and reliable market information.” Employees from the

DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service(AMAS)Central Office

facilitated the training on uploading/populating the AFMIS Website.

Participants were carefully taught with the basics and guidelines on using the
website including the advantages and limitations it can serve.



AFMIS is an efficient and cluster-based system of collecting,

processing, packaging and analyzing market information for dissemination on a

timely and regular basis to target clients through various media. Farmers,

fishers and other stakeholders now can make better investment and marketing

decision thru Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s) like the

Internet and Short Messaging System (SMS). The AFMIS Website is already online
and it can be accessed at http://afmis.da.gov.ph.

From: La Union Information and Tourism facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pitolaunion#!/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/pglu-links-with-das-afmis-web-service-by-abigail-d-ancheta-cabilin-pito-lu/247493558602583)

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250273_228493920500365_100000192752238_1079279_5258458_n.jpg
Emparedados "native hamburger w/ homemade longganisa"

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249055_228494447166979_100000192752238_1079287_8223131_n.jpg
Halabos na Hipon

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/249711_228495007166923_100000192752238_1079303_2796762_n.jpg
Fiesta Halo Halo "King of all desserts"

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255643_231440786872345_100000192752238_1105683_1281205_n.jpg
Merks buttered chicken wings

Halo Halo de Iloko Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=228493920500365&set=a.228488460500911.75724.100000192752238&type=1&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=231441053538985&set=a.228488460500911.75724.100000192752238&type=1&theater&pid=1105698&id=100000192752238)

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247986_231441193538971_100000192752238_1105704_3930691_n.jpg
bangus escabeche w/ honey glazed, tomatoes and lemon

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/254962_234861853196905_100000192752238_1134589_4644484_n.jpg
Binagoongang Baboy

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Ilokano Express (Spicy Ginataang Bagnet

From: Halo Halo de Iloko Facebook

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284235_170081529728290_144077772328666_368017_5863168_n.jpg

from Marand Resort and Spa Facebook

Press Freedom within the Campus

By Herbert P. Mapiles

Saturday, July 30, 2011

CAMPUS journalism used to be a training ground of students taking up communication courses and other related fields like Arts and Letters and Bachelor of Arts (AB).

But the Education department (then Department of Education, Culture and Sports or DECS) decided to incorporate journalism in the curriculum of other courses and even secondary and elementary students.

Because of this, Republic Act (RA)7079, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, was enacted. It is an act providing for the development and promotion of campus journalism and for other purposes.
This law guarantees press freedom within the campus and students may independently print journals and air statement over campus radios.

Section 2 of RA 7079 states that it is declared policy of the State to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level and to promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth.

At the Holy Angel University in Angeles City, student writers are enjoying press freedom. Robby Tantingco, dean of the Student Affairs Office, said the school administration respects and observes the Campus Journalism Law and press freedom.

Starting this school year, officers and members of the school paper, "The Angelite," were given a hand in collecting publication fee from students amounting to P65 each, according to Tantingco.

He said part of the training of student-writers is the challenge of marketing their paper just like in the real world.

Tantingco said the school gives no subsidy to campus papers including other publications in various colleges and departments.

Each of the seven colleges has its own paper and office, too. The HAU high school department and elementary level also have their own publication --- "The Angelian" and "The Angel Wings", respectively.

Cindy Sicat, University Editor of Angelite, lamented that they were surprised by the sudden decision of the school to delegate the collection to the Angelite staff.

She disclosed that they have only collected 50 percent of the projected P1 million total collections as of last week.

If they fail to collect the whole amount, they will be forced to suspend other programs and avoid other expenses including meals.

Angelite comes out twice every semester, according to Sicat.

Sun.Star Pampanga columnist Noel Tulabut, meanwhile, has a different story to tell.

As an aspiring writer-journalist then, Tulabut envied people (co-students, friends, relatives) who had by-lines in publications.

"At school, I wished I had my articles printed regularly in 'The Pioneer,' the official publication of AUF," he said.

Tulabut tried out for the qualifying exams for the publication but he was not lucky enough to become part of it. "And so what I did was to contribute articles the editorial staff accepted."

As Mass Communications student, landing an article on any publication and on whatever capacity was a must for Tulabut. "It was sort of a feather in the cap for me," he said.

"I remember contributing an article about Karl Marx and communism, an article where I delved into the background of Marx from his childhood days. Not that I was a rightist or leaning towards them, the article was also an attempt of how communism was anti faith, anti-religion and anti-God.

"It was contributed at a time of Cory administration where the impression then was that Malacañang was leaning towards communists and armed group the New People's Army. I thought that the article would help bring about enlightenment about the evils of what Karl Marx has espoused and the revolution that it entails.

"Of course, writing the article was painstaking for me. It took a lot of reading especially at a time when student writers have to depend on print materials as there was no internet then. The article was biased towards people who have the Christian faith.

"How it felt when the article came out? I took 20 copies of the Pioneer and showed it before everyone I had the chance to brag about it," he recounted.

According to Jesus Valenzuela in the History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands (1933) and John Lent in the Philippine Mass Communication (1964), the history of campus journalism in the Philippines started when the University of Santo Tomas published "El Liliputiense" in 1890.

However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang Pamahayagan (1985) argued that the history of campus journalism in the country started when the University of the Philippines published "The College Folio", now "The Philippine Collegian", in 1910. They also added that "The Torch" of the Philippine Normal University, "The Guidon" of the Ateneo de Manila University, and "The Varsitarian" of the University of Santo Tomas were also published two years later.

Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Peña edited "The Coconut", the official student publication of the Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was published in 1912 and it is now considered the first and oldest high school newspaper in the country.

In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published "The La Union Tab," the first printed and regularly issued high school newspaper in the country. Since then, high school newspapers came out one after the other.
Among these high school newspapers were "The Pampangan," Pampanga High School, 1925; "The Leytean," Leyte High School, 1925; "The Rizalian," Rizal High School, 1926; "The Coconut," Tayabas High School, 1927; "The Volcano," Batangas High School, 1927; "The Toil," La Union Trade School, 1928; "The Samarinian," Samar High School, 1928; "The Melting Pot," Tarlac High School, 1929; "The Granary," Nueva Ecija High School, 1929; "The Torres Torch," Torres High School, 1930; and "The Cagayan Student Chronicle," Cagayan High School, 1931.

In 1931, 30 out of 106 high schools in the country had campus newspapers registered at the Bureau of Public Schools. In 1950, this number increased to 169; by 1954, to 253; by 1975, to 500; and by 1986, to more than 900 newspapers in English and in Filipino.

Source: A brief History of Campus Journalism in the Philippines by Alixander Haban Escote in History, August 28, 2008

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on July 31, 2011.

source link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/feature/2011/07/30/press-freedom-within-campus-169945

An 18-year-old Filipino will represent Canada at the World Youth Chess Championship in Brazil this November, after topping the Canadian Youth Chess Championship in Toronto earlier this month.

Loren Laceste bagged the championship less than two years after he and his family settled in Canada from Santo Tomas town in La Union province in the Philippines.

“It was the toughest I’ve played so far," Loren said of his latest win over international master Arthur Calugar, according to an article posted on Philippine Asian News Today.

One of the challenges waiting for Laceste, who recently graduated with honors from Carson Graham Secondary in North Vancouver, is raising enough funds for his trip to Brazil.

“Sana ho matulungan kami [ng] ating mga kababayan para sa travel costs to Brazil at makabili ng laptop for Loren to use for chess game analysis of his opponent," said Melchor, Loren’s father.

Melchor, a custodian at Capilano College in Canada, said he taught Loren to play chess when he was young.

He said his son is now training for his next matches by playing chess online, and will play tune-up matches in British Columbia tournaments at the end of July and at Thanksgiving.

The elder Laceste can be reached via email at melchorlaceste@rocketmail.com or by phone at 604-339-4079. — JE, GMA News

source link: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/227926/pinoy-abroad/pinoy-teen-canadas-bet-in-intl-chess-tilt

^^ ngee kung Filipino citizen lang sana siya

http://www.mb.com.ph/sites/default/files/images/005_pottery.jpg

POT COLLECTION

A trader is busy arranging his pots displayed on the side of the national highway in Taboc, San Juan, La Union Thursday, July 21, 2011. The town of Taboc is known for its fine pottery. (Photo by ERWIN G. BELEO)

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Photo by: Armando Dela Cruz Arribas from NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook

as in licensed na (kung hindi man licensed noon dahil sa isyu months ago) uli ang Thunderbird? na-resolve na kaya ang isyu between them?
pera-pera lang naman yan. i am not even surprise if thunderbird made a big cash out to resolve the license issue. :lol:

^^ Ano yan di naman ata maganda ang pagkakarenovate ng Tanqui bridge. minadali ang construction nito

ikaw naman hugo, para magkaroon ng yearly budget para sa tanqui bridge. sa tingin mo gagawin matibay at permanente yan? panu naman kikita ang dpwh maintenance group kung hindi masisira kaagad yan. hehehe. "style-bulok"

pera-pera lang naman yan. i am not even surprise if thunderbird made a big cash out to resolve the license issue. :lol:

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

ikaw naman hugo, para magkaroon ng yearly budget para sa tanqui bridge. sa tingin mo gagawin matibay at permanente yan? panu naman kikita ang dpwh maintenance group kung hindi masisira kaagad yan. hehehe. "style-bulok"

again :lol::lol::lol::lol: hay nako pag nasa sistema na talaga ang korupsyon sa gobyerno mahirap nang baguhin

From: Guide - World Travel Guide, World Beauties
link: http://www.tearsofjoy.info/pedicabs-philippine-a-complete-guide/

Tricycles are motorcycles with sidecars, carrying passengers or for transporting goods.

There is a third kind of tricycle-riding the tricycle, or pedicab. This is simply a push-bike fitted with a sidecar.

Usually considered tricycles, trics as (pronounced “trikes”), have become another icon timog.

They were originally designed to operate on a small back roads where jeepneys or buses were not allowed, but today you will find anywhere, even on trics as national highways. But they are not permitted on motorways (toll roads).

Highway dangers

The tricycles (jeepneys) which made road Philippine travel so slow. Trics as pedicabs, and often just putter along at a snail’s pace, often in the fast lane, ignoring the blasting horns from other riders who want to overtake.

And is the tric that often leads to head-on collisions by drivers who ran out of patience and surpass recklessly. Everything becomes back in to the main rules of the road here-”might is right!”-and trics as coming near the bottom of the scale, just a step above dogs, cats, chickens and pedestrians.

Thanks to a combination of jeepneys and trics as on the main road, the journey from the city of San Fernando, La Union, Angeles often can take more than four hours-which is an average speed of just 45 kilometres an hour.

Legal requirements

A passenger tric has a legal capacity of five people, including the driver. Very often, however, you will see trics as carrying up to 10 passengers, some on the roof, others jammed in the sidecar, more on the seat behind the driver, one on fuel tank in front of the driver, with others still hung out the steps and the rear part of the tric.

La Union province trics as are required to be encoded. In the area of Bauang trics as are all blue; further north in San Fernando City are white; further north of San Juan are red; Bacnotan is orange, while in Balaoan is a bright pink. Here many pedicabs have two seats-face one another in forward and rearward.

Trics as can take passengers only in your area, but can drop in any area.

Assuming a Tric

Assuming a tric is a little like renting a taxi hire the entire vehicle, not just a place to sit, as is done in a jeepney.

Always agree on a price for your trip before you arrive. Just ask the driver if you know your destination and then ask how. The driver tric often say “you.” If so, just quote what they think is a fair price. Most of the times he will accept the price, but if not, you can haggle to some other, or just walk and try another driver.

And not paying for the tric until you’ve reached your destination.

When ever a watch tric head. Some strange trics as have ornaments inside the cockpit. Most have a backrest trics as vertical, often without leading zeros and without back support. This can be very uncomfortable, especially on a bumpy road.

Once aboard, hang. According to the condition of the road and the speed of tric probably will experience very bouncy, with your head straps often metal roof. You can always ask the driver to slow down, but this is usually a waste of words.

Tricycle selection

Despite the downside to ride a tric, I ride at least twice daily, usually to destinations that cannot be reached by jeepney. But I am selective in my choice of trics as and I know that many local pilots. I have their cell phone numbers and call them to come to pick me up. Many drivers have become very good friends.

If you find a driver with a good combination, and which is also a good pilot, I suggest that you ask him for his mobile number. Most will be happy to give it to you.

TriC security

If you have luggage, try and insert it into the cockpit, so you can keep an eye on it. A friend of mine once hired a tric Tacloban airport. The driver put the bags on the rear rack. As they drove another guy jumped on the seat behind the pilot and started talking with my friend.

It seemed to be a friendly conversation and just before the friendly target the boy says goodbye and jumped out.

To target my friend has found that while talking, the guy had been rummaging through his luggage and valuables delivery to a driver of tric behind him. Attention!

Allan Miller is a former airline pilot who has lived in Asia for over 44 years, and has traveled extensively around the world. He was a freelance travel writer for 20 years and specializes in articles about the Philippines and other Asian countries. He also maintains the website for Bali Hai Beach Resort, La Union, Philippines. Has recently set up his own blog, My Philippines.

by Esteleta M. Rafanan

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, August 1 (PIA) -- Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who want to avail of business loans under the reintegration loan program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will have to undergo an entrepreneurial development training (EDP) to orient them on various business opportunities and on the basics of starting a business as a fallback after working overseas.

The EDP is under the reintegration loan program of OWWA which assesses the capability of the OFWs to manage any business enterprise to help them find out and address their weaknesses before establishing a business.

Interested OFWs need to submit business plans to Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines to evaluate the achievability of the business enterprise they opted to set up.

OFW member will also have to submit to partner banks the following requirements: a certification from the OWWA that borrower is a bonafide member, completed EDT, good credit history and a bio-data.

Among the requirements in starting a new business are certificate of registration from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and mayor’s permit.

Existing business enterprises required documents are as follows: certificate of registration from DTI, mayor’s permit, Income Tax Return for the last three (3) years, financial statements filed with the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the last three (3) years, latest interim financial statement, and statement of assets and liabilities.

Interested eligible borrowers may proceed to the nearest OWWA – Regional Office and any LBP branch or contact the National Reintegration Center for OFWs at Tel. Nos. 526-2633 / 526-2392. (JCR/EMR- PIA 1 La Union with reports from OWWA).

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=46373

Written By: editors on July 24, 2011 No Comment

By PAULA ESPIRITU
www.nordis.net

LA UNION — In their own version of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), more than 4,000 students joined in the State of the Youth Address (SOYA) on July 19 to convey disappointment on the government’s continuing state desertion of education and call out for higher state budget for education.

The SOYA was organized by Kabataan Partylist together with the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), Anakbayan, Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Karatula).

The Marcos Sports Center was filled by more than 4,000 students from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus (DMMMSU-SLUC), students from other DMMMSU campuses and other schools in La Union.

The SOYA looked back at President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino’s first year in office and assessed his programs and policies especially those for the youth and the education sector.

The students criticized PNoy’s administration declaring that it was no different from the previous administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in terms of policies for education, economy, politics and others. Participating organizations cited the continuing cuts in the budgets of State Universities and Colleges (SUC) like that of DMMMSU amounting to P3,575,000 or 9.54 % from their budget.

“Nagpapatuloy ang malakihang pagkaltas ng budget sa mga State University tulad ng DMMMSU na humahantong sa pagtaas ng mga bayarin sa unibersidad. Tulad ng Student Development Fee sa DMMMSU na tumaas dahil, ayon mismo sa aming university president, walang binibigay na budget ang gubyerno para sa pagpapatayo ng mga facilities sa eskuwelahan. Napipilitan ang mga eskuwelahan na magtaas ng mga bayarin,” (Budgets cuts to SUCs like DMMMSU is continuing resulting to tuition and other school fees increase. DMMMSU’s Development Fee increased because according to the university president, the government do not allot budget for school facilities thus, SUCs are force to increase the fees) Katrin Hazel Hipona of NUSP said.

Aside from continuing budget cuts, students from private schools participating in the SOYA also expressed distress over the continuing commercialization of education as tuition and other fees of private higher education institutions (HEI) continue to sky rocket.

“Hindi humihinto ang pagtaas ng matrikula at iba pang mga bayarin sa mga eskuwelahan na nagpapahirap sa mga kabataan na mag-aral. Maraming mga exorbitant fees, unnecessary fees, redundant fees, at kung anu-ano pang fees na hindi naman kelangan ng mag-aaral. Nandun lang yung fees na mga ‘yun para madagdagan ang kita ng mga schools at ito ay pinapabayaan ng gubyerno,” (Tuition and other fees continue to increase. There are a lot of exorbitant, unnecessary and redundant fees imposed by school administrators for them to raise their profit but the government is not doing anything about it) Jean Alonzo of Kabataan Partylist said in an interview.

According to NUSP, the number of out of school youth is at 7.93 million and the government has cut 1 Billion peso from the education budget while the government allocate 1 Trillion peso for debt servicing.

The activity was part of a nationally coordinated Walkout for People’s Right against the Education Crisis under the US-Aquino regime. # nordis.net

source link: http://www.nordis.net/?p=10135

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved an increase in the power rates in Cebu, Davao and La Union in line with their respective distribution utilities’ performance-based regulation.

In a decision, the regulator said it approved a P1.30 per kilowatt-hour maximum average price for the distribution rates of Visayan Electric Company Inc. for regulatory year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.

The approved rate is an increase from the utility’s P1.17 per kilowatt-hour MAP.

In a separate decision, the ERC approved a P1.27 per kilowatt-hour MAP for Davao Light and Power Company Inc. over the same period, an increase from its previous distribution rate of P1.16 per kilowatt-hour.

The ERC also allowed La Union Electric Co. Inc. to adjust its MAP to P1.39 per kilowatt-hour from P1.23 per kilowatt-hour previously.

The ERC’s nod to the utilities’ new MAP allows them to translate or define their approved price into different tariffs for their customer classes such as residential, commercial, industrial and government/street lights.

VECO, DLPC and Lueco distribute electricity to major growth centers in the provinces of Cebu, Davao and La Union.

The increase in their distribution rates, or the line item in consumers’ electricity bills that go directly to the utilities’ pockets, is in accordance with their shift to PBR.

The PBR is a rate-setting scheme prescribed by the ERC wherein utilities’ rates are subject to yearly adjustments based on performance, efficiency, capital spending requirements, inflation, foreign currency exchange fluctuation and previous year’s under recoveries.

“The PBR puts pressure on the utilities to incorporate operational efficiencies through the guaranteed service level and performance incentive schemes systems so that long-term consumer interests such as quality service and a stable supply of electricity are promoted,” Zenaida Cruz-Ducut, ERC chairman, said.

VECO, DLPC and LUECO’s price hikes form part of the second regulatory year for their respective PBR’s 2011 to 2014 regulatory period.

source link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/business/3403-erc-clears-power-rate-hike-in-cebu-davao-la-union

From a blog by: Lia Cruz

If you've ever driven along the highway through La Union, through San Fernando City, you've most probably spotted a towering temple of worship protruding from behind the downtown structures. That would be Taoist Ma-Cho Temple.

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Mama Ma-Cho (pronounced Ma-Tzoo) is supposed to be a protector of the those who travel the seas. If you're familiar with Batangas' Our Lady of Caysasay (who they say was found in the waters by a fisherman), Mama Ma-Cho is actually one and the same. There is even a whole board inside the temple containing reading material explaining the Our Lady of Caysasay and Mama Ma-Cho are indeed the same.

Here's a look into the very serene and peaceful temple and some of its grounds.

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The kindly old Chinese man inside the temple also taught me how to worship, and how to ask Mama Ma-Cho a question. Worship comes first.

Step One: Light three sticks of incense for either a) God in Heaven, b) Mama Ma Cho, or c) God of Wealth

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Step Two: Get on your knees, face the direction of whichever deity you're worshipping, and bow three times.

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Step Three: Stick the incense into the pot.

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Step Four: Pick up the red wooden halves, hold them in front of Mama Ma-Cho or whichever deity you prefer, ask a question answerable by "yes" or "no."

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Step Five: Encircle the sticks of incense with the wooden halves 24 times, then drop them to the floor. Look at the way they end up, and refer to the legend to interpret the answer.

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Source link: http://liadcruz.blogspot.com/2011/08/ma-cho-temple-san-fernando-la-union.html

by Jennilyne C. Role

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, August 1 (PIA) -- Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), will be meeting with all local chief executives (LCEs) in region 1 to address housing concerns of the local government units (LGUs).

Binay will grace the kick-off of the Housing (Pabahay) Caravan slated on August 8-9 at Fort Ilocandia Hotel and Resort in Laoag City with the theme, “Strengthening Local Government Units (LGUs) in Housing Delivery and Local Development Planning”.

According to Department Manager III Lilia M. Anguluan of Pag-IBIG La Union, a forum on Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Program for LGUs is set between Binay and all LCEs in the region, including heads of the key shelter agencies under the umbrella organization of the HUDCC. “The forum scheduled in the afternoon of August 9 is actually the highlight of the caravan,” Anguluan said.

HUDCC key shelter agencies include National Housing Agency, Home Guaranty Corporation, Housing Land Use Regulatory Board, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, Social Housing Finance Corporation, and the Home Development Mutual Fund of Pag-IBIG Fund.

Around 300 participants are expected to participate to this two day event hosted by Pag-IBIG La Union. (JCR-PIA 1 La Union)

source link: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=46506

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269582_10150254618884382_648774381_7408954_1962437_n.jpg

Photo by: Ergar Ritarita from NATIVES OF LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150254618884382&set=oa.10150249439862973&type=1&theater)

LA UNION SPECIAL OLYMPIADS HIT GOLD
By: Julius A. Manabat

Athletes from La Union represented the Philippines in the recently concluded Special
Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece last June 25 to July 4, 2011.
They brought home 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze Medals.

The Special Olympics World Games is an international sporting
competition for special athletes organized by Special Olympics. Like the
Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, the Special Olympics World Games has
summer and winter meets, and are held every four years.
The opening ceremony of the games took place at the Panathinaiko Stadium with
guests, Vanessa Williams, Stevie Wonder, and Nadia Comaneci. Over 7,500
athletes from 185 countries competed.

The La Union Delegation competed at the Gymnastics and Aquatics Divisions . The team's
coach, Mrs. Delia A. Ortega insisted on focused practice and determination. The
participants proved that their disability is not a hindrance in bringing pride
and honor to the province and country. The breakdown of awards garnered are as
follows:

DIVISION

GYMNASTICS

GOLD
MELANIE VALDEZ (2)


SILVER
MELANIE VALDEZ (2)


BRONZE
MARILOU SIBAYAN

AQUATICS

GOLD
AIVIE DUNGCA (2)
SHELLA MAE SUNIEGA

BRONZE
SHELLA MAE SUNIEGA

Mrs. Delia A. Ortega said that the CEO of the Special Olympics, Mr. Tim
Shriver was very impressed with the performance of the Philippine Team
especially with the participants from La Union. The Team now looks forward to
the 2015 Special Olympics to be held tentatively in South Africa or at Los
Angeles, California, USA.

source link: http://www.facebook.com/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/la-union-special-olympiads-hit-gold/250946678257271

:rock:

by Arlene C. Villanueva

AGOO, LA UNION—Global healthcare leader Merck Sharpe & Dohme has partnered with the provincial goverment and an advocacy group to reform basic health services in marginalized communities.

The three-year project was launched recently at Diego Silang Hall, Capitol Building in San Fernando City, targetting the countryside’s farming and fishing sectors where poverty incidence posted 32.6 percent.

According to provincial authorities, Merck and the Philippine NGO Support Program have dovetailed their efforts with ENAC (Enhancing Access to Health Resources in Strategic Underserved Communities) to draw up participatory interventions to close the great divide between urban and rural healthcare.

As planned, the first nine months would involve training modules and capacity building at the barangay level.

Benchmark data culled by the local goverment and PHANSup listed among key issues malnutrition in pre-schoolers, increased cases of dengue and tuberculosis, high incidence of illness and mortality among children and mothers, and prevalent cardiac disease and diabetes.

The study also noted the lack of instruments in certain localities where village health centers have no blood pressure monitors at all.

By and large, the reform is hinged on a direct link between environment and proverty where conservation and protective measures have no bearing when the next meal is at stake.

The cycle becomes viscious when health emergencies force subsistence families to sell their means of livelihood like farm and fishing tools to pay for medical treatment, inordinately sinking them into further debt.

The project proponents expect the La Union experience to yield best practices in healthcare to afford remote communities elsewhere a sporting chance to make a living instead of being swept aside in increasingly competitive survival conditions.

source link: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2011%2Faugust%2F2%2Fnation7.isx&d=2011%2Faugust%2F2

by: Israel O. Rudio, PITO-LU

Holding its fourth annual congress at SupremeHotel in Baguio City, the Liga ng mga Barangay-La Union Chapter headed by its President, Ex-Officio Board Member Manuel Victor “Mannix” R. Ortega, Jr., once again updated its members on various Barangay Local Governance issues with the theme “We are the Key, Committed to Service, Good Governance is our Business” on July 25-28, 2011.

Welcoming the more than 500 delegates in attendance, Liga Vice President Jessie A. Panta of Barangay Bilis,Burgos encouraged Punong Barangays to give their active participation to be more equipped and empowered in the performance of their duties through the knowledge that they can obtain from the gathering. A former Mayor, she also enjoined Barangay Chairs to always perform their sworn duties with pride for although they belong to the smallest Local Government Unit, their powers are distinct for they have judicial, legislative and executive powers all rolled into one.

For his part, BM Mannix thanked the Barangay Captains for their all-out support to his leadership. He declared, “ I am probably the happiest Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President in the whole Philippines for I now see Barangay Officials who have become more committed to serve as I see more night patrols from our Barangay Tanods; more rounds from our Barangay Health Workers and Nutrition Scholars; peaceful settlements through the initiatives of the Lupong Tagapamayapa; and more significant and responsive projects from the Sangguniang Barangay. All these prove your all-out support to the Liga. Our Pro-Baton Training, Vermin Abatement Program, Sports Development Program and all our other undertakings could not have succeeded without your commitment to

Makalipas ang apat na taon ng aking pamumuno, serve. Bilang inyong pangulo, buong-buhay ko itong tatanawin sa ngalan ng serbisyo publiko.”



The namesake of Gov. Manuel C. Ortega also asked them to further serve their constituents through more responsive and innovative public service possible to the people.



Like in their previous congresses of the Liga, BM Mannix Ortega once again conducted a raffle draw using his own money with prizes that included cell phones, kitchenware, appliances and 24” flat screen TV.

Topic for this year’s congress included Leadership and Teamwork courtesy of Timothy Warden from the Christian Community Church in San Fernando City, La Union; Ecology and Environmental Protection care of Philippine Councilors League-La Union Chapter President and Sangguninaang Panlalawigan Ex-Officio Member Alfredo Pablo “Alf”R. Ortega and his team; Commission on Audit updates courtesy of Engr. Orlando Soco; Gender and Development through Ms. Rosalinda Lacsamana from the Canadian International Development Agency; and Katarungang Pambarangay issues and jurisprudence care of San Fernando City Interior and Local Government Director Lita R. Gongora and Board Member Reynaldo M. Mosuela.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189263_251024958249443_204145946270678_974382_1224894_n.jpg

La Union Liga ng mga Barangay President and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ex-Officio Member Manuel Victor “Mannix”R. Ortega, Jr., announcing the lucky winner of a 24” Flat Screen TV in the person of Barangay Ambitacay, Agoo Punong Barangay Leonardo B. Ballesteros as part of the activities during the 4th Liga ng mga Barangay Congress on July 25-28, 2011 at Supreme Hotel, Baguio City. All prizes that also included cell phones, mountain bikes and appliances were personally shouldered by the namesake of Gov. Manuel C. Ortega as the gathering coincided with his birthday on July 28, 2011. Photo by: Wendell B. Tangalin, PITo-LU

source link: http://www.facebook.com/notes/la-union-information-and-tourism/liga-congress-centered-on-commitment-and-good-governance/251023884916217

From La Union Police Provincial Office Facebook Status: The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government will visit SFC tomorrow for TAPATAN Roadshow! Welcome to La Union SILG Robredo!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Union-Police-Provincial-Office/163487207032577

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249252_10150236544058204_336893718203_7301608_7226265_n.jpg

13 children were part of the mass baptism sponsored by the LGU and the St. Joseph the Worker Parish as part of the GABAY

From: BAUANG, LA UNION Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150236544058204&set=a.10150236542708204.311176.336893718203&type=1&theater)

Forest Lake en Cielo at San Juan La Union (HDR)
by: 'ashed'

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36835694@N08/5195166856/

Why are they demolishing the Old San Juan Public Cemetery at the end of Diversion Road? Any idea what is the purpose for the clearing activities?

Why are they demolishing the Old San Juan Public Cemetery at the end of Diversion Road? Any idea what is the purpose for the clearing activities?

ha? as in? naku baka naman may ipapatayong establishment na roon. naku makakawala ang mga mumu niyan.

La Union prov’l office’ “Sagut a Biag” (Gift for Life) now on its 3rd year

by Miriam P. Aquino

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union August 3 (PIA) -- “Sagut a Biag” (Gift for Life), a voluntary blood donation activity considered as one of the impact projects of the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO) which is now on its third (3rd) year has been conducted recently at the LUPPO Conference room of the Camp Diego Silang, Carlatan, this city.

According to Police Superintendent Eduardo C. Abaday, Public Information Officer, this activity aims to provide the need for immediate and sufficient blood in the law enforcement profession such as in the PNP whose personnel is prone to fatal perils by the nature of their calling and function. The activity is one of the main events of the 16th Police Community Relations Month with the theme “Matatag na Ugnayan ng Mamayan at Kapulisan Tungo sa Mapayapa at Ligtas na Pamayanan”.

The activity also aims to promote and impress consciousness upon the PNP personnel and the citizenry on the noble act of free blood donation and encourage them to embrace the humanitarian act to ensure adequate, safe and affordable supply of blood for PNP members, their families and the public, Abaday added.

The blood-letting is a joint project 0f the La Union Police Provincial Office and the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in celebration of the Blood-Letting month..

Phillippe Daniel Quitos, Head of the ITRMC Laboratory Department, and his staff administered the free blood donation participated in by LUPPO personnel led by PSupt. Angelito D. Dumangeng, Deputy Provincial Director for Administration, PSupt. Manuel P. Apostol, DPD for Operations together with Atty. Dennis Lomboy, Provincial Officer and the National Police Commission, members of Civilian Volunteer Organizations, and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams from the different municipalities in the province.

Among the 105 potential blood donors who underwent the screening process, 49 successful blood donors were identified.

A total volume of 22,050 ml of extracted safe and healthy blood were donated to save lives of patients who might be needing future blood transfusion. (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La Union with reports from PSupt Abaday – LUPPO)

source link: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=46960

by Esteleta M. Rafanan
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, August 3 (PIA) -- Only 13 percent passed the May 22 Career Service Examination (CSE) this year in both professional and sub professional levels.

Of the 6,872 examinees, only 893 or 13 percent successfully hurdled the examination, 603 for the professional and 290 for the sub-professional level.
The career service examination was administered by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Region 1 and conducted in four centers in the cities of San Fernando, Vigan and Laoag and in Lingayen.

Examinees from Laoag City topped both levels but most of the top 10 passers came from Pangasinan.

The complete list of successful examinees can be accessed at the CSC website at www.csc.gov.ph.

Awarding of certificates of eligibility to successful examinees is scheduled on August 15 for career service professionals and August 16 for CS sub-professional to be held at the CSC regional office 1 in San Fernando City at 7:30 a.m. These will be distributed personally to the successful passers during the awarding rites.

Deadline for application for the career service, paper-and-pencil test (CSE-PPT) examination to be conducted on October 16 at the CSC Regional Office 1 and field offices is until September 1. Interested applicants are advised to visit the CSC website, or any CSC office for the application forms, requirements, and other information. (ANL/EMR-PIA 1 La Union/CSC)

http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=46828