San Fernando City in La Union is one of the TOP Ranking Small Competitive Cities in the Philippines cited recently by the Asia Institute of Management.

http://www.aim.edu.ph/home/announcementc.asp?id=721

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Location Map of La Union

San Fernando City lies 270 kilometers north of Manila. It became a city by an Act of Congress in 1998. The population is 102,000 during weekends but about 130,000 to 150,000 during weekdays because, aside from being a provincial and regional capital, it is also a center of education and trade. The city prides itself in being one of the most peaceful cities of a peaceful region.

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Central Business District of San Fernando City LU
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San Fernando City Airport (soon to be expanded to accomodate 737's planes)
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San Fernando City Seaport
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Poro Point Free Port Zone

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Google Earth image of the CSI Mall in San Fernando City.
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CSI Mall is located at Barangay Biday and can be accessed using the SFC By-Pass Road from the National Highway. The mall features 3 state-of-the art movie theaters, adequate parking area, a wide supermarket, fastfood restaurants, variety shops, an appliance center, department store and other outlets.

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The Provincial Capitol Building of La Union is located on top of hill overlooking the whole view (360 degrees) of San Fernando City.

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The controversial Thunderbird Fiesta Casino Complex located at the former Voice of America site. http://www.thunderbirdresorts.com/

Firm bares P1.3-B plan to develop part of Poro Point into tourism complex

Quezon City (11 January) -- The Thunderbird Resort, Inc., a 100-percent foreign owned, publicly listed and traded company based in San Diego, California, USA, formally announced its plan here to develop portions of the 65.5-hectare tourism complex of the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone with an initial fund of P1.31 billion.

"We are pleased and excited to introduce and present Fiesta Poro to our friends and neighbors throughout the Philippines," said Glynis Salvatera-Balagot, marketing director of Thunderbird's Fiesta Poro.

"We are certain Fiesta Poro will be a smashing success and will grow to become an important building block for the expansion of tourism throughout the Ilocos region," she said.

Balagot said the Poro Point development project called "Fiesta Poro" is Thunderbird's second destination resort development in the Philippines following the successful construction and launching of its flagship property in Binangonan, Rizal which is called "Fiesta Rizal".

She said the Fiesta Poro Development Plan includes the construction of a championship and public golf course; renovation of the historic Poro lighthouse, new recreational facilities for the public, retail and restaurant establishments, passenger cruise vessel facilities, aquatic theme park and surf pool, gun and skeet shooting ranges, beach villas, resort hotels and condominiums, convention facilities, and tourist, vacation and retirement village housing.

Balagot said that once complete, Fiesta Poro is expected to create 5,000 to 10,000 direct full time jobs for Filipinos especially residents of La Union.

As with its Fiesta project, Thunderbird's Fiesta Poro project is totally funded by foreign investment. In addition, Thunderbird reaffirmed its pledge and commitment to locally source and purchase its available project needs from personnel to services to supplies and equipments. (Beat The Odds Infobits)


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The site of the former American Air Station - Wallace Air Station. Check out the 2 white spherical radars.

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Saint Louis College is one of the leading educational institutions in Northern Luzon. Located along the National Highway, Barangay Lingsat.

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State of the Art Medical Center in Region 1 - Lorma Medical Center.

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Christ the King College besides Saint William Cathedral.

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New campus of Christ the King College along the National Highway just infront of McDonald's.

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A breath-taking view of San Fernando City and Wallace Air Station from Provincial Capitol hill.

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A bird's eye view of Wallace Air Station

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A coastal view along the city.

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A view of Wallace Air Station from the National Highway.

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A medium rise commercial and office building along Quezon Avenue, near the city center.

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A residential condominium complex being constructed along the surfing beach of San Juan, La Union.

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Surfing addicts from Manila enjoying their sweet time in La Union

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RP President GMA and her first family, Ms. Luli Arroyo especially, surf the San Juan LU waves frequently when their busy schedule allows them.

Surf’s up! GMA rolls with the waves in La Union By Jun Elias The Philippine Star 12/28/2005

SAN JUAN, La Union — When the going gets tough, the tough go… surfing?

President Arroyo enjoyed a 45-minute surfing session here yesterday, but not with First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who suffered mild hand cramps due to the cold seawater, according to a surf instructor who assisted them.
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Luc Landrigan, one of the four local surfers who trained the First Couple, told The STAR that Mrs. Arroyo was a fast learner and showed good balance even though she is a novice surfer. "The President is okay, she enjoyed the session and she is a fast learner," he said.

Together with their daughter Luli, the First Couple traveled down from Baguio City to celebrate their vacation at La Union, known for its imposing waves. Luli and her father arrived early in the morning while the President arrived at 1:45 p.m. along with grandchildren. Brothers Datu and Mikey Arroyo were not present.

The Arroyo outing was strictly a private affair and local media were politely asked not to take photos and not to conduct interviews with the First Family. However, some media outlets were able to shoot pictures and footage.

Luc, a member of the La Union Surfing Club, said he was "overwhelmed" at the prospect of teaching the President surfing techniques. "I can’t imagine, I was able to teach the President. She easily did the basics (of surfing). It’s only her second time to do surfing," he added.

The STAR was there to watch as the President had her surfing session. Mrs. Arroyo had no trouble climbing onto and lying on top of the surfboard; but she had a harder time keeping her balance while standing and maneuvering. Still, it’s a skill not many first- or second-timers can master right away. The surfing lesson was held at the seashore of Urbiztondo in this town.

Luc said Luli took to surfing a bit quicker because it is one of her regular sports activities whereas the First Gentleman had difficulty balancing atop the surfboard, perhaps due to his weight.

While surfing, the First Couple mixed with local and foreign surf enthusiasts. Their security was tightly enforced with Navy and Coast Guard patrol boats and policemen.

Joining the First Family were local officials led by Gov. Victor Ortega, San Fernando City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, City Councilor Pablo Ortega and San Juan town mayor Arturo Valdriz.

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Surfing fun in San Juan La Union frequented by surfers from Australia, Japan, USA and Europe. Here are some great surfing photos in San Juan, La Union http://www.pbase.com/kathychua/la_union&page=all

Why surf in La Union? answers are here>>> http://www.yokohamasurf.com.ph/press.htm

eventually PNR northrail will be extended to poro point right?
province ko to... but i seldom visit la union kasi medyo malayo nga.. :)

eventually PNR northrail will be extended to poro point right?
province ko to... but i seldom visit la union kasi medyo malayo nga.. :)

Pagnatapos na iyong Phase IV, hindi na malayo sa iyo ang Poro Point... :)

Phase I of the Northrail Project will cover an 80-kilometer rail line between Caloocan City in Manila to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga.
Other phases will involve the construction of:
Phase II – branch line to Subic Freeport Zone
Phase III – extension to Bonifacio Global City
Phase IV – extension to Poro Point Special Economic Zone, San Fernando, La Union

province ito ng isang engineer namin dito sa company. ganda naman nun wallace air station. saka un coastal view. at di ko akalain na sikat din pala ang surfing jan. :)

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Welcome signage of Seapark Beach Resort owned and managed by Shipside Inc.

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The beach offers a spectacular sunset within the area.

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Outdoor dining with gazebos.

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A Gazebo by the beach.

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Beach sheds at the white sand area.

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Accommodation Rooms are available at Seapark

Seapark Beach Resort is located at the extreme west side of San Fernando City airport.

Many Filipino-Chinese also venerate the image of Ma-zuen shrined at the Macho Temple in San Fernando City. The image is believed to have a Christian counterpart known as the Virgin of Caysasay, which is found at the Basilica of St. Martin in Taal, Batangas.

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The Macho Temple main edifice adorned with detailed Chinese ancient design decors. The building details were constructed by skilled workers direct from Taiwan designed by Architect Diokno.

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The Macho Temple archway with an intricate Chinese ancient architecture style. The view of Wallace Air Station can be seen from here.

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Veneration of the Virgin of Caysasay and Ma-zuen by Fil-Chinese devotees are done here daily.

province ito ng isang engineer namin dito sa company. ganda naman nun wallace air station. saka un coastal view. at di ko akalain na sikat din pala ang surfing jan. :)

:) saan kayo naka based?

San Fernando City in La Union was recognized as one of the promising cities in the country during the presentation and recognition ceremony held last Wednesday, August 10,2005 at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La.

Mayor MaryJane C. Ortega, in her presentation in a high-tech simulated hopping trip around the country’s “dream cities”, said that the city government under her stewardship has inched closer to goals they aimed to accomplish between five to 10 years from now based on the vision and mission as well as the city’s development strategy.

The first lady city mayor said that she aims to develop both the environment and the people focusing on the 20-hectare botanical garden and providing livelihood skills training to her constituents and promoting vibrant business opportunities to make for a more economically viable city.

Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, chairman of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), which is the principal sponsor of the project, said that the selection process was based on realistic goals in terms of local management, delivery of basic services, education and infrastructure, among others.

ISA is an international organization crusading for the adoption of the Public governance System (PGS) for local government units (LGUs) similar to the “balanced scorecard principle” used by private corporations and multinational firms to determine achievement of set goals within a given time frame.

The project is being supported by a grant from the USAID, the Asia Foundation and the Center for International Private Enterprise in Washington, D.C.

Other cities selected as “dream cities” include Tagbilaran in Bohol, Calbayog, Samar, Iloilo in the Visayas, Naga in Bicol, Samal Island City, Cebu City and Marikina in Metro Manila.

The respective mayors namely MaryJane C.Ortega, Dan Neri Lim, Mel Sarmiento, Trenas, Jesse Robredo, Rogelio Antalan, Tomas Osmena and Fernando were also recognized as the first batch of ISA fellows committing themselves to pursue the plans they have laid out for their cities

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View of the San Fernando City Plaza with St. William Cathedral at the background. At the upper mid portion you can find the La Union Provincial Capitol Building sitting on top of a hill.


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Exploring the white sand beach of San Fernando.


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Spectacular sunset show at Bauang beach area. More sunset shows here>> http://www.pbase.com/mabecia/san_fernando&page=1

That street and plaza look immaculately clean.

Marvel at the beauty of a surfer’s ride on top of a thick, curling wave. Or wonder at the sight of a surfer coming out of a long, tube-like wave.

There’s no need to go to Hawaii, America or Indonesia to see and experience an aquatic scene that seems like poetry in motion.

The Philippines is one of the world’s last frontiers for surf exploration. Some of the great surf destinations are hardly accessed because of their far location.

But the surfing area in San Juan, La Union stands out from the rest, not because it has better waves, but due to its accessibility from the Big City. It’s more accessible compared to other popular surf areas in Siargao Island in Mindanao, Daet in Bicol or Baler in Aurora.

Just a six-hour drive from Manila, the La Union surf point can be a perfect getaway after a busy week.

Hiroshi Yokohama, a Japanese who is married to former actress and beauty queen Maria Isabel Lopez and has made the Philippines his home, has seen surfing’s potential not only in tourism but as a sport.

Yokohama established the first and only school of surfing in the country in 1997.

Based in the coastal barangay of Urbiztondo, the Yokohama Surfing School has already taught more than 500 students, including celebrities like Jericho Rosales, Marvin Agustin, Raymond Bagatsing and Raymond Keanu.

“After learning the basics, my students go on their own, bringing with them their own surfboards,” says Hiroshi whose love for the Philippine waves started when he visited the Majestic Surf Point in Catanduanes in 1990.

Potential

“I figured that surfing has a big potential in this country. Now, I’m proud that I am helping promote the sport and the Philippines as a tourism spot. Surfing is getting more popular, there are lots of good Filipino surfers now and I’m proud of this accomplishment.”

Hiroshi says a student doesn’t have to be a good swimmer. Sessions are done at shallow parts of the water. A chord is then tied to one of the student’s feet and is attached to the surfboard.

Veteran surfers are allowed to paddle 100 meters away from the beach to catch bigger waves.

Isabel is fully supportive of Hiroshi, although she ironically learned surfing not in their own school.

“I had great fear of waves, afraid that it will engulf my whole being. ‘Pag tinuturuan ako ng husband ko, ang dami kong reklamo kaya lagi kaming may argumento,” she says.

“So he enrolled me in a surf school in Hawaii. There, siyempre natuto na ako kasi nahihiya akong magreklamo sa tutor ko,” she said.

Although the ideal surfing season in La Union is from December to January, small waves swell anytime and are just good enough for beginners.

The biggest swell go as high as three to four meters or about 8 feet in Hawaiian counting, measuring the length from the backside of the barrel.

The husband-and-wife tandem also put up a surf shop and café at the second floor of Robinson’s Manila, where surfers can trade stories about their experiences and compare notes about new surfing discoveries while sipping their favorite coffee.

“Surf enthusiasts can also ogle at the latest design in surfing stuffs here,” added Isabel, who’s also very proud of her 12-year-old daughter Mara, probably the youngest surfer in the country.

Mara, who is a natural adventurer like her father, has won a trophy in the recent La Union Surf Festival, where she defeated several male participants. Mara, who occasionally comes out in the movies, is also into snow ski, ice ski, roller blade, rock climbing, skateboarding and volleyball.

For Mara, these are just hobbies. “I love nature and animals,” said Mara while holding her cute beagle named Sparky. “But surfing is now my current passion.”

History

The Philippines boasts of surfing areas that are comparable to Hawaii and elsewhere in the world.

Surfing took its roots here in the 1960s when American servicemen, who were based at Clark Air Field and Subic Naval Base, combed the northern coasts for possible surf points.

The La Union breaks were one of the first areas discovered, including Baler Bay on the east coast. Both areas became weekend surf destinations.

More surf explorations followed. Australian tourists discovered major breaks in Catanduanes and Siargao Island.

Siargao surf was christened “Cloud Nine” by its discoverers after a no-melt chocolate bar, which they bought at a small store in the island.

Cloud Nine’s popularity was credited to international surfing photographer John Callahan, who published a magnificent photograph of a gigantic 10-meter wave in various magazines. Soon after, inquiries poured in.

Realizing its tourism potential, the Department of Tourism, provincial government of Surigao del Norte and the municipality of General Luna, have began conducting a yearly tournament to drum up more interest and promote tourism in the area.

Mindanao’s security problem, however, has slowed down the influx of foreign visitors.

To local enthusiasts, the proximity of La Union is a blessing. The place is relatively safe. They can surf all daylong and stay overnight. Or head straight back to Manila, while still relishing a refreshing weekend date with nature. Randy Caluag

(Aside from Jollibee, McDonalds, Shakey's, Chow King, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Greenwich)

BAYVIEW AND HIGH ALTITUDE (From here, you can enjoy the view of San Fernando City at night while leisurely drinking your favorite beer or wine. Great bands from Baguio and Manila as well as good local bands perform here LIVE regularly)
MS. MARITESS GUALBERTO
Telephone: 072-888-20-25/888-44-82
Fax: 700-44-82


CABAÑA BEACH RESORT
MS. BELINDA BAUTISTA
Telephone: 072-242-55-85
Fax: 242-31-07


CAFÉ ESPERANZA (Try their Pancit Palabok, the best in the city)
MS. MARI JO PARLAN
Telephone: 072-242-06-59
Fax: 700-42-30

MIDWAY GRILL
Infront of Saint Louis College
The Best Baby Back Ribs in La Union so far!!

TAIPAN GARDEN RESTAURANT (No doubt, great chinese food!)
near the Old San Fernando SuperMarket
P. Burgos St.

CASTAWAY INN SAN JUAN
MR. EDGARDO FRANCISCO
Telephone: 712-76-41/074-444-99-31
Mobile: 0918-267-19-16


CHINA SEA BEACH RESORT
MS. RICHIE LANDRIGAN
Mobile: 0927-639-53-82
Telephone: 705-08-33
F ax: 242-08-22


COCONUTGROVE BEACH RESORT (The only resort in the country with LAWN BOWLING GREEN)
MR. JERRY ROMERO
Mobile: 09175642395
Telephone 888-42-76/705-07-36
F ax: 888-53-81


CRESTA DEL MAR
MS. MARY ANN ABELLA
Mobile: 0917-856-95-22
Telephone: 242-07-93
Fax: 242-07-93

SIT & SIP (offers gourmet coffee, tea and San Miguel beer products. Favorite hang out place for those who do not prefer listening to loud music)
Ortega Highway

CORAL ISLAND BEACH RESORT
MRS. ERLINDA GURTIZA
Mobile: 0921-268-77-10
Telephone: 888-0487/888-26-16
Fax: 242-36-21


FINNEGANS BAR & REST.
MR. BEN RIVERA
Mobile: 0917-564-19-60
Telephone 242-08-98/705-09-24
Fax: 705-09-24


G-5 RESTO BAR (Party place for young people, open til the break of dawn :) )
MS. JANETTE LACUATA
Mobile: 0917-564-00-24
Telephone: 700-50-50
Fax: 242-4116


HACIENDA BEACH RESORT
MR. KARL PFEIFER
Mobile: 0920-205-52-67


HEN HAW CHINESE RESTAURANT (The best chinese food in Bauang)
MR. JOSEPH CHUTUAPE
Mobile: 0927-499-34-68
Telephone: 705-30-89/705-35-78
MR. PHILIP CHUTUAPE
Mobile: 0917-379-41-08


HOTEL MIKKA (just besides Partas Bus Station)
MR. ALBERT DY
Mobile: 0917-564-01-48
Telephone: 700-57-37/700-30-88
F ax: 242-26-88


JESSICA'S BEACH RESORT
MRS. EDITH BLOHM
Mobile: 0920-404-89-26
Telephone: 705-12-84


LADY MARITESS INN
MS. NELIE PASION
Mobile: 0915-793-24-48
J & B MASSAGE PARLOR


LA MER RESORT
MRS. EMMA KAISER
Mobile: 0919-390-35-91
Telephone: 700-43-28/8834-19
Fax: 242-36-21/888-33-31


LONG BEACH HOTEL RESORT (Live Band entertainment nightly)
MRS. ROSE FLORES
Mobile: 0919-409-02-82
Telephone: 705-09-04/705-09-55
242-06-09
Fax: 242-06-09/705-09-55



MAX'S RESTAURANT
MS. CECILLE PUA PHEE
Mobile: 0917-564-02-18
Telephone: 242-73-48
Fax: 242-73-50


MIRAMONTE BEACH RESORT
MRS. FE SAVIDAL
Telephone: 700-04-70
Fax: 242-02-41


MOCHA BLENDS
MS. SHULAMITE TANGONAN
Mobile: 0920-904-50-91
0917-506-37-32
Telephone: 700-00-45
fax: 074-444-44-13
MR. ALLAN DELA CRUZ
Mobile: 0920-514-6276
MR. MICHAEL RIVERA
Mobil: 0920-484-6193

MONTE DEL ROSARIO
MS. MICHIE RABARA
Mobile: 0918-940-75-77
Telephone: 712-11-04
Fax: 712-01-40

NALINAC BEACH RESORT
MR. NOLI LAIGO
Mobile: 0916-948-85-14
Telephone: 705-09-02/700-4307

NEW ICELAND RESTAURANT
MR. GERALD CHAN
Mobile: 0918-940-49-31
Telephone: 072-521-00-74
Fax: 710-11-96

OASIS COUNTRY RESORT HOTEL (Try their Sushi Bar and Family KTV)
MS. JOY PIMENTEL
Mobile: 0917-886-27-47
Telephone: 242-56-21/242-56-37
Fax: 242-56-10/242-56-21
MS. DAPHNE ZAFRA
Fax: 700-36-76

PLAZA HOTEL
MRS. OFELIA CASTRO
Mobile: 0918-456-06-28
Telephone: 888-29-96


SEA PARK BEACH RESORT (Where you can find the best kept secret of San Fernando City 3 to 5 minutes drive from the city center - White Sand Beach or "Little Boracay")
MRS. UFEMIA DUCUSIN
Mobile: 0917-737-78-84
Telephone: 888-34-11-14
Fax: 888-23-69


SEA & SKY HOTEL
MR. DANNY BOLONG
Mobile: 0917-564-27-80
MS. DIANNE BOLONG
Mobile: 0920-962-30-71
Telephone: 242-55-79/242-56-88
Fax: 242-38-69/242-57-69

SE BAY RESORT (This resort is located right in La Union's surfing area)
ATTY. RODOLFO YABES
Telephone: 242-54-81 (OFFICE)
720-0145
Fax: 700-08-49
MS. TINA (SEC)
Mobile: 0920-910-53-16
EMIL-0927-204-55-08

SCHWEIRZERGARTEN RESORT (One of the best gourmet restaurants around La Union)
MS. MYRNA THEILER
Telephone: 705-23-00/888-13-19
888-3908

SAN JUAN SURF RESORT (The original surf camp in San Juan La Union)
MR. JUN BERMUDEZ
Mobile: 0919-826-30-98
Telephone: 720-03-40
Fax: 242-08-22

SUNSET BAY RESORT (True to its name, from here you can enjoy the best sunset view)
MR. PETER HINDES
Mobile: 0919-405-99-02
Telephone: 888-48-43
Fax: 242-02-35

TUNUAN TI ILI RESTAURANT
MR. EDWARD TENG JR.
Mobile: 0920-920-37-94
Telephone: 705-61-83

VILLA ESTRELLA (Still the best night shows in La Union at Tradewinds and sultry lounge singers nightly at Kuya's Bar)
MR. BUTCH DETABLAN
Mobile: 0917-986-94-96
Telephone: 242-56-43/705-00-81
Fax: 242-06-52
MR. ED LA MADRID
Mobile: 0918-404-03-68
Fax: 242-49-06

VILLA NAVARRO BEACH RESORT (La Union Water Jetski Sports center)
MR. RODOLFO NAVARRO
Mobile: 0917-564-25-13
Telephone: 708-04-30/708-01-08
Fax: 714-00-46

CLARISSA JADE RESORT
MS. EDNA MAY OLAIRES
Telephone: 242-75-50

BALI HAI BEACH RESORT
MR. MICHAEL BESANKO
Mobile: 0918-379-58-43
Telephone: 242-56-79/242-07-24
242-0531
Fax: 888-54-80

MANDARIN HOUSE HOTEL & REST
MR. ROBERT LIM
Telephone: 888-24-24/700-45-88
Fax: 242-0461

MELANO PIZZITO
MS. TESS VIDUYA
Mobile: 0927-220-2478
Telephone: 888-39-00

HALO HALO DE ILOKO (THE BEST HALO-HALO ever!!! TRY ONE SOON!!!)
Zandueta St Cor P. Burgos St
San Fernando City

MOMMY LUZ RESTAURANT (Imported and local ice cold beers and wide selection of delicious "pulutans". Favorite watering hole of the green archers and the blue eagles based in La Union and outlying provinces)
Mr. Nonong Florentino
Carlatan, San Fernando City
Infront of Coca-Cola Plant

KAW BIN RESTAURANT (Shabu-Shabu with special chili sauce..."Masarap!!!")
Mariano Sia
Quezon Avenue
San Fernando City

THE VENUE RESTAURANT
MR. EMERSON ESTEBAN
Mobile: 0927-97-60-123
0917-91-87-407
Telephone: 072-705-10-80/705-2508

MI AMOR BEACH RESORT

CABAGUAN BEACH RESORT
MRS. ROSELLE REGACHO
Mobile: 0916-24-72-909
Telephone: 074-442-33-78/710-1265

VILLA REMY XIA HOTEL AND RESORT
MRS. LILIA C. SORIANO
Mobile: 0917-69-72-081
Telephone: 710-77-93

PARADISO BEACH RESORT
MR. CAREY CANTERO
Mobile: 0915-654-3908
Telephone: 714-02-98072-309-1856
Fax: 714-02-98

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/06302006167.jpg
Unknown Soldiers Monument, a landmark located at the junction of the National Highway and Pennsylvannia Ave, the road that leads to Poro Point.

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Central business area of San Fernando where various major banks, restaurants and shops are located.

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Fastfood establishments sprouted all over this area. Jollibee, MacDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Chowking, Greenwich, Bread Factory and other food outlets.

hi ergit:hi: when you get a chance, can you please post a pix of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas bldg in San Fernando? when i was in grade school, we participated in the regional choir competition held in that bldg, and we finished 3rd place, with Laoag and Dagupan finishing 1st and 2nd respectively:D thank you.

^^ and a pic of this too?

San Fernando public market in La Union, one of the 5 winners of the national Huwarang Palengke 2006 competition :D

I saw the story here: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/06/21/news/ex.pardo.councilman.carps.over.award.for.public.market.html

LOL matt! pati pala palengke meron ding competition ano? hehehe!

hi ergit:hi: when you get a chance, can you please post a pix of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas bldg in San Fernando? when i was in grade school, we participated in the regional choir competition held in that bldg, and we finished 3rd place, with Laoag and Dagupan finishing 1st and 2nd respectively:D thank you.

Tyronne, I don't have yet a actual pix of BSP in San Fernando but here is google earth image of the place where your choir group placed 3rd then :).

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/cbp.jpg

^^ and a pic of this too?

San Fernando public market in La Union, one of the 5 winners of the national Huwarang Palengke 2006 competition :D

I saw the story here: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/06/21/news/ex.pardo.councilman.carps.over.award.for.public.market.html

Hi Matteo, maganda yan para pagbubutihan pa ng mga ibang di pa nananalo na palengke para manalo sa national Huwarang Palengke awards rin next year. :cheers:

my dad's family is from baung launion. Abuan .

By Gia Damaso
San Fernando City

SEVEN kilometers east of La Union's bustling capital city of San Fernando, on a forested mountain 9,000 feet above sea level, nestles the La Union botanical garden--a green spot on the map that is probably the only one of its kind in the country.

Unlike other so-called botanical gardens in Manila, Baguio or Mt. Makiling in Laguna, the La Union botanical garden is not merely a theme or recreational park.

While it also has systematically arranged theme gardens, it is foremost a center for research and education on the many varieties and uses of local plants, as well as a haven for their conservation and propagation.

Accessible by jeepney (about 20 minutes) over semipaved roads, the garden sits on a 110-hectare government property covered mostly in a secondary forest growth of molave (Vitex parviflora), kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) and balingasay (Buchanania arborescens).

Of this area, only about 5 ha. have been fully developed into vari-themed gardens spanned by a web of concrete footpaths and bamboo bridges.

Dr. Romualdo del Rosario, garden project director and chief of the botany division of the National Museum, and his colleague, mycologist Edwin Tadiosa, were at the site for their twice-a-month routine visit.

With resident project staff leader Policarpio Jucar, they showed us the many features of the garden which, despite recent visits by typhoons, still stood, proof to nature's ability to heal itself slowly but beautifully.

Theme gardens

The garden has only one entrance and exit. So unless one is planning to set camp at a particular area, it would be best to start at the farthest end where a nursery, fernery and palmery are kept, surrounded by forested mountain slopes.

According to Jucar, wild bees abound in the forests and their honey is often harvested by enterprising residents.

One also finds an orchidarium intended for the propagation of native varieties but for now is unable to resist hybrid varieties donated by orchid lovers and politicians.

Retracing the footpath, one reaches the aviary and minizoo. Although not the main focus of the garden, its collection of wild and domesticated animals, mostly donations from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is a source of amusement and learning for young visitors.

A pair of wild pigeons, a lone parrot, an Ilocano-speaking mynah, a pair of brown eagles, two pairs of Brahmeny kites (lawin) and a sea eagle that enjoys frequent showers are just some of the attractions.

The gobble of turkeys and the chatter of Philippine monkeys complete the cacophony, hushed only by the flutter of doves' wings as they head home to roost.

Recently, a researcher from the University of Sto. Tomas Graduate School has identified the black-naped oriole as one of the birds that have made the botanical garden their habitat.

Known as kiliaoan in Filipino and keeao in Iloko, the bird has bright yellow and black feathers and makes a melodic flutelike call. It is also commonly found in Negros and Mindanao.

From the aviary, one comes to the sunken garden, one of the most popular picnic areas because of its expansive landscaped garden, cool shade and good view of the other theme gardens.

From here, one can see the Chinese garden with a footpath lit by orange lanterns, albeit weather-beaten, leading to an unfinished pagoda. Accents of bamboo bushes and ornamental plants complete the scene.

Another theme garden is the children's garden which has a basic playground beside a gurgling brook and an unfinished natural history museum building built from a modest budget.

According to Del Rosario, the museum will house at least four dioramas depicting ``the glory of flowers'' and the wonders of the insect world as well as other educational materials.

Outdoor laboratory

Beside the children's garden is the fragrance garden. It is planted to champacas, rosals, Chinese magnolias, Ilang-ilang, garlic vine and other sweet-smelling plants to enchant the senses when in bloom.

At the end of this garden is the medicinal garden where dozens of varieties of herbs and medicinal plants endemic to La Union and other dry, lowland areas are cultivated and studied.

Neatly arranged to fill a sundial structure, the plants also provide a butterfly sanctuary that will surely catch a visitor's eye.

On the way, one must pass through the arid paradise where various kinds of cacti and other succulent varieties are cultivated.

Jucar said this area used to be covered with white sand but being sloped, was one of the worst hit by the recent storms. Overlooking this garden is the unfinished Japanese garden which has bamboo structures, Japanese flora and a few stone sculptures arranged to achieve a stone-garden effect.

Despite its unique features, the La Union botanical garden is a long way from becoming a ``fully established or world-class'' institution, Del Rosario admitted.

Cottages to accommodate tourists and visiting researchers, a natural history museum, a fishpond, a swimming pool, a skating rink, an open theater, an orchard and a putting green are some of the features and facilities in the master plan that have yet to be realized.

i think in order for ilocos norte to be aviable tourist destination. they need to open foerign restaurants ar find new ways to cook the seafoods. foreigners mostly complain about the food. they're not really going to acquire the taste for bagoong isda, pinakbet, diningding, goat innards.

i think in order for ilocos norte to be aviable tourist destination. they need to open foerign restaurants ar find new ways to cook the seafoods. foreigners mostly complain about the food. they're not really going to acquire the taste for bagoong isda, pinakbet, diningding, goat innards.

Hi marites4, you can post this message in another thread (Ilocos Norte). Here's one>> http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=326696. This thread is solely for San Fernando City and towns in LA UNION. Thanks for the post. :)

well i meant that for ilocos norte and sur^^^ no offense just constructive criticism.

well i meant that for ilocos norte and sur^^^ no offense just constructive criticism.

I know what you mean by that but then, marites4, La Union is not even a part of Ilocos Norte or Ilocos Sur provinces. You must've thought it as Ilocos Region (Region 1) as a whole not the particular La Union province. As I mentioned, this thread is solely for San Fernando City and towns in La Union province, NOT Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, or Pangasinan.

Anyway, seafood tastes just fine in La Union. You can drop by in La Union anytime and sample some good seafoods. I recommend Patio Del Sol Seafood Restaurant located near the boundary of Bauang and San Fernando City. :)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/pogoda-sn-fernando-la-u.jpg
This is a Pagoda that was strategically built on top of a hill near the La Union Provincial Capitol to get an excellent view of San Fernando City proper, the San Fernando Bay and Wallace Air Station.

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http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/sanfdocityview.jpg
Magnificent view of San Fernando City.

^^ and a pic of this too?

San Fernando public market in La Union, one of the 5 winners of the national Huwarang Palengke 2006 competition :D

I saw the story here: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/06/21/news/ex.pardo.councilman.carps.over.award.for.public.market.html

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/sfcmarket.jpg
Here is a google image matteo :cheers1:

thanks for creating this thread. i myself was born and raised in san fernando, la union.

thanks for creating this thread. i myself was born and raised in san fernando, la union.

:okay: Hello Kailian!

PANORAMA VIEW OF WALLACE AIR STATION AND SAN FERNANDO BAY (circa 1990)

http://www.usmilitarypi.com/wal_phoabove001.htm

Poro Point Management Corporation, a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, is currently stepping-up efforts in the creation of jobs, investment opportunities, exports and linking the world through the San Fernando Airport and the San Fernando International Seaport located in the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone (PPSEFZ).

Approximately 5 hours away from Manila by car and more than an hour from Baguio City, Poro Point a former US military base and home to both an airport and seaport that is located at the northwestern tip of North Luzon, west of the City of San Fernando in the province of La Union.

Strategic in its location at the upper side of the Lingayen Gulf, Poro Point is along the Southeast Asian sea lane, less than an hour by plane from Taiwan, China and Hongkong, and within three hours from Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

In line with Pres. Arroyo's ten-point agenda, PPMC is focused on developing the San Fernando Airport as a gateway to Northern Luzon and to develop Poro Point as a dedicated export outlet to southern china

BCDA, which is the agency in charge of converting former military lands into thriving economic zones, released P100-million to PPMC last year for the upgrading of the San Fernando domestic airport and the construction of roads and facilities for the Poro Point Tourism, Recreation and Commercial Complex (PPTRCC).

Lawyer Anthony Manguiat, vice president and Chief Operating Officer of PPMC, said that developing Poro Point into a tourism, commercial, light industries, services and transshipment logistics center would also allow the Ilocos Region to become competitive and economically productive in the medium to long term.

'It is important for us to simultaneously develop our existing facilities in preparation for the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), so that [Region I] can partake of the economic benefits of the administration's Global Gateways and Subic-Clark Alliance Development (SCAD) development strategies," Manguiat explains.

BCDA also has plans to extend the highway from Tarlac all the way to Poro Point.

"BCDA's plan to extend the highway to Region I has already been endorsed by Congress last year, so we would like to prepare Poro Point as an alternate import and export point for goods along the SCTEx," said Manguiat. "In turn, the facilities of Subic and Clark will also be open to locators in the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone (PPSEFZ)," he added.


Development in full swing

The release of P100-million by the BCDA is already being utilized in the construction of several projects.

"Lighting of Pennsylvania Avenue which is the main thoroughfare in PPSEFZ has been completed, thanks to the joint participation of the City Government of San Fernando," Manguiat said.

"Meanwhile, the construction of a 6-kilometer network of roads worth P66-million will be implemented anytime soon in order to provide easy access to the PPSEFZ ecozone," the official said.

With PPSEFZ's San Fernando Airport and Seaport facilities, access to and from the ecozone by sea and land is seen by PPMC to be a major factor in attracting tourists.

"Further upgrading of the airport's navigational equipment and runway facilities will allow the airport to accommodate Boeing 737's for passenger and air cargo operations," Manguiat clarified. "BCDA will be releasing an additional P50-million this 2005 for the further development of the airport," he added.


Club Poro

The 240-hectare former US-airbase is also being groomed to become one of the best tourist destinations in Northern Luzon.

According to Manguiat, several projects are already underway and in the planning stage in order to transform PPSEFZ into the destination of choice for local and domestic tourists.

"The Thunderbird Resorts has started the development of a 13-hectare recreational resort complex called Fiesta Poro right in the heart of the rediscovered natural beauty of La Union's white sand beaches" Manguiat explained.

Being a geographic cape, Poro Point is completely surrounded by the South China Sea, dotted with strips of pristine white sand beaches.

Along the coastline, construction is already at 100% completion for a scenic 300-meter long coral walkway ideal for jogging, walking, biking, picnicking, fishing or for simple relaxation.

"The walkway will also be punctuated by gazebos that would serve as access points for different types of water activities like jet-skiing, wind-surfing and sail boating," Manguiat added.

PPMC, consistent with its thrust of promoting tourism, has also included in its development plan the Poro Point Lighthouse as a tourist destination. The Lighthouse is situated on the southern tip of Punta de Poro, along the entrance to the Port of San Fernando. The lights of Poro Point serve as harbor guides to ships entering and leaving the Port of San Fernando, ever since it was built by the Spanish authorities on 28 November 1885.

PPMC is negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Coast Guard for the restoration of the lighthouse. Budget for repainting and repair works has already been allocated.

High-end Residential Complex

Aside from the tourism complex, PPMC also plans to offer to the private sector the development of a self-contained high-end residential complex whose clientele would have access to world class health care facilities and leisure-oriented amenities.

A choice of condominium living, cluster housing, and single detached houses will be offered to prospective residents depending on their preferences and needs.

Facilities in the residential complex would also include a driving range, health care facilities, a medical center, an outdoor pool, and adequate parking facilities.


Creating jobs and livelihood

Manguiat explained that the development of Poro Point into a tourism and recreation cum commercial complex is in accordance with the PPSEFZ Framework Plan, which was formulated with the active participation of all the local government units, the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA), the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the Voice of America (VOA), the BCDA/PPMC, and all the stakeholders in the area.

Once the tourism complex is complete, PPMC hopes to tap the large available workforce in the surrounding communities.

"As it stands now, we have 3,000 persons lined up in our labor center who are waiting for the development of Poro Point. You can just imagine the trickle-down effect if we can be able to immediately convert Poro Point into a tourist destination," explains Manguiat.

Fisher-folk, who comprise a large part of the population because of the coastal nature of La Union, will also be employed to bring in tourists into Poro Point.

Immediately adjacent to the park on its eastern side is the operational international port with two piers and ancillary/complementary facilities including warehouses, and a proposed container yard.

Current port activities
Running the port operations is the Poro Point Industrial Corporation (PPIC), which is a joint venture company of Bulk Handlers, Inc. and BCDA/PPMC.

PPIC has emerged as the country's premier bulk terminal, topping other terminals in the country in terms of having comparatively cheaper tariff rates and greater overall efficiency.

Manguiat explained that for bulk cargo operations, there is faster turn around of cargoes at Poro Point. In contrast, Manila has rates higher by 42 percent at P174.43/MT, as against Poro's P122.89/MT, for basic charges. Bulk importers like fertilizers have diverted their cargo from Manila to other ports in Luzon due to expensive bagging operations brought about by double handling, high rate of losses and spillages, labor costs and demurrages.

Telecommunications facilities are also adequate enough to support call center operations, which PPMC hopes to corner in the near future.

Locators also have the added advantage of being able to tap a readily-available market of skilled workers in the region.

"All these developments are in line with PPMC's mission of providing real, value added and excellent customer service to our investment partners, port users and tourist visitors," Manguiat said.

He concluded by recognizing and acknowledging the exemplary leadership of the management headed by Chairman Filadelfo S. Rojas, Jr. of BCDA, president and chief executive officer Juanito F. Antonio of PPMC, and the continued cooperation of the officials of the City of San Fernando and the Province of La Union.

"Without their firm and unwavering involvement and encouragement, the task would not be that idealistic and practicable," Manguiat said.

By Tarra V. Quismundo
Inquirer News Service


WITH OPTIMISTIC passengers on board, "ISA Flight 810" took off on a hopping trip around the country's "dream destinations" despite the threatening skies.

Fueled by hope for fairer weather, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) gathered mayors from the country's most promising cities for a ride to a sunnier future, in a conference tagged "Vista ISA: A Panorama of our Dream Cities."

"What we are really saying is, not everything in politics is done in Manila, so there's a lot that is very positive that is being done outside Manila," said Jesus Estanislao, chairperson of the ISA, a non-government think tank on good governance.

So far, the cities of San Fernando (La Union), Tagbilaran, Calbayog, Iloilo, Naga, Samal, Cebu and Marikina have fared well, as they have inched closer to goals they aimed to accomplish in five to 10 years from now based on presentations they gave before a gathering of professionals, businessmen, and the youth at the Rizal Ballroom of the
Makati Shangri-La.

In a show of optimism in the midst of the crisis-plagued national government, the ISA led mayors of the eight selected cities in a report on how their cities have progressed since a year ago, when they adopted ISA's Public Governance System (PGS).

The PGS is a performance measurement tool that was a public sector adaptation of the corporate "balanced scorecard" principle, used by companies to determine achievement of set goals within a given period of years.

"There is still hope for our country. While the national government is concerned with the impeachment, the cities are moving forward. The cities have bonded to ensure that basic services are delivered," said Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas.

He was referring to the impeachment complaint against President Macapagal-Arroyo, which arose in the midst of allegations that she had rigged the May 2004 elections.

It was under similar politically turbulent times that ISA was born, as it was established just after the breakdown of an impeachment trial against ousted President Joseph Estrada in 2001. Headed by Estanislao, finance secretary during the tenure of President Corazon Aquino, the ISA began a campaign for effective governance among local government units (LGUs).

And through LGU ties, the ISA selected the best-performing cities a year ago for the pilot application of the PGS, which encouraged local administrations to operate under established mission, vision and set of values from city hall to the grass roots.

The project was supported by a grant from the USAID, the Asia Foundation and the Center for International Private Enterprise in Washington, D.C.

Realistic goals

After consultations with the ISA, the first batch of cities created their Public Governance Roadmaps based on realistic goals in terms of local management, delivery of basic services, education and infrastructure, among other things.

In a nutshell, here's how the mayors envisioned their cities in the near future.

San Fernando: The Botanical Garden City by 2010

Mayor Mary Jane Ortega aims to develop both its environment and its people, with equal focus on nurturing the locale's 20-hectare botanical garden, and providing skills training to constituents to make for a more economically viable city.

Tagbilaran: A Prime Eco-Tourism Hub by 2015

Mayor Dan Neri Lim drafted a plan to improve living standards in his city, where poverty continues to be an affliction. Foremost on the goal list are the creation of more employment, giving locals access to capital and better delivery of health services.

Calbayog: One City, One People, One Culture by 2015

The city aims to bring the government closer to its people to boost pride of place. At the same time, Mayor Mel Sarmiento said the city, with a thriving farming and fishing industry, would like to maximize commercial potentials through skills training and improvement of infrastructure.

Iloilo: Premier City by 2015

This Visayan city aims to be more attractive both as a business and cultural center in the region. Treñas laid out a plan to establish business facilities including a stock exchange, convention centers, manufacturing facilities, and an interconnected mass transport system, while preserving cultural heritage.

Naga City: Model City for Participatory Government by 2015

The thriving city of the Bicol region aims to bring together government, the constituency, the private sector and civic organizations toward city-wide multi-sectoral progress, said Mayor Jesse Robredo, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee for public service.

Samal: Island Garden City by 2015

Mayor Rogelio Antalan envisions his city to become an eco-tourism center at par with international standards, capitalizing on projecting the island-city as "a city of character" that is highly livable, with a "well-preserved and enriched cultural heritage."

Cebu: Most Livable City in Asia by 2015

In a presentation by City Administrator Francisco Fernandez, one of the Visayas region's best known business and tourism centers drafted a plan to make Cebu the most peaceful, cleanest and greenest city in the Asian region.

The city aims to give its constituents the most efficient delivery of basic services, transportation and communications systems, employment opportunities, and an internationally competitive quality of education.

Marikina: A World-Class City by 2015

The only Metro Manila city among the ISA picks, Marikina presented its plan to become a "Little Singapore" someday soon. Banking on improvements initiated by former Mayor and now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Bayani Fernando, the city, now ran by Fernando's wife Marides, aims to sustain a clean and green program that had turned the Marikina Riverbank into a bustling community park, maintain peace and order, and become "part of the international directory of business, sports, and the arts."

Binding commitment

The mayors present during the conference, including Sarmiento, Treñas, Robredo, Antalan, Ortega and Lim, were also recognized as the first batch of ISA fellows, binding them to the commitment of pursuing the plans they had laid out for their cities.

Good to see a High-res image of one of my favorite cities :)

Good to see a High-res image of one of my favorite cities :)

:) Thanks Sera. I appreciate your comment.

PUERTO DE SAN JUAN RESORT HOTEL

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/pdsj02.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/pdsj01.jpg
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http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/21.jpg
This first class resort is located just minutes drive north of San Fernando City.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/oasis03.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/oasis02.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/oasis01.jpg
Oasis Country Resort is located along the National Highway south of San Fernando City.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/E_landfill.jpg

The first ever sanitary engineered landfill in San Fernando City was chosen by the World Bank (WB) as its model for a Design-Build Operate (DBO) type of landfill project all over the world is nearing completion and will be operational after the rainy season.

This was confirmed by Bruce Williams of Conestoga-Rovers and Associates (CRA), a Canadian consultancy firm who made the design of the landfill project which is being implemented by its joint venture, the Kane Construction Inc. (KCI)

“It’s basically a three-phase project and the first phase is nearing completion. Maybe after the rainy season we will be able to put waste at the engineered landfill,” Williams said in an interview during the visit here of Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland.

Williams, who is supervising the construction of the project, said they will start the second phase of the project probably by February 2007.

He said the 10.5 hectares engineered landfill, if completed, would have a life span of more than ten years. Its construction is worth P163 million and funded by the WB through a design-build-and-operate scheme.

Williams said the components of the project include a one meter thick clay liner to prevent lecheate (garbage juice) from seeping and contaminating the ground water. Below the liners, pipes collect the lecheate in a pond before it goes to a water treatment plant.

The project also involves a recycling plant, a materials recovery facility and a motor pool for heavy equipment. Gas collection pipes will capture the methane gas and the same may be converted it to cooking fuel.

Sutherland visited the project on Tuesday afternoon accompanied by Williams, Governor Victor Ortega and other city and provincial officials.

Sutherland said he was very proud of the project because it will contribute a lot in solving the waste problem of the city. “It’s going to contribute a lot of solutions for the waste problem and its going to be a model for other provinces in the Philippines to follow the same kind of system to alleviate negative environmental concerns,” he said.

For his part, Ortega said La Union will be the first to have a “real to honest to goodness engineered landfill in the Philippines.

“We will be the first one to have a real to honest to goodness engineered landfill. Although it may not be a world-class type because we are only using clay liners and not the plastic geo-liner which is too expensive. It may not be 100 percent but 90 percent would be good enough,” he said.

His wife City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, who is out of the country, initiated the project’s feasibility study in 1999 after it closed the dumpsite on the seashore of Barangay Canaoay.

The feasibility study was conducted and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.

San Fernando landfill - model to other local government units >> http://sanesteban.com.ph/vice/landfill.htm

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006062567676.html

The Bases Conversion Development Authority has approved the terms of reference (TOR) for the detailed engineering and design contract for the San Fernando Airport development in Poro Point, La Union that will pave the way for the airport’s planned expansion to accommodate bigger commercial airplanes like the B-737s.

With the BCDA approval of the TOR and the budget for the design project, the Poro Point Management Corp., a subsidiary of BCDA, can now push through with the bidding and eventual award of the contract to an engineering design consultant.

The detailed engineering design contract for the San Fernando Airport will determine the needed physical and navigational aspects of the planned development, as well as the consultant’s deliverables, project cost estimates and detailed plans, among others, to enable the airport to accommodate bigger planes. The design is expected to be finished late this year.

"This is a major step towards the development of San Fernando Airport in particular and the Poro Point Special Economic Zone in general," said BCDA Chairman Filadelfo Rojas Jr. "With an upgraded airport, more investors and tourists would come to Poro Point and La Union."

The BCDA is positioning Poro Point as a major entertainment and tourism hub in Northern Luzon because of its strategic location. Aside from the San Fernando airport, Poro Point also hosts a commercial seaport, an industrial zone and an entertainment center.

The current airport is currently served by at least one commercial airliner, Asian Spirit. However, the airport can only accommodate smaller turbo prop airplanes that carry a maximum of 60 passengers, while 737s have a 200-seat capacity.

Poro Point’s vast entertainment and tourism potential is underscored by the fact that La Union boasts some of the country’s finest beaches, and is a mere one hour drive to Baguio City. It is also a short distance away from the famed Hundred Islands in Pangasinan by sea, while the pilgrim town of Agoo and Manaoag are also close by.
__________________

Wow! Beautiful thread San Fernando, La Union! Thanks ergit for the effort!

Was San Fernando an important American settlement? Very Americanized yung names ng mga places eh...like Wallace, Saint William (instead of San Guilliermo), etc..?

Wow! Beautiful thread San Fernando, La Union! Thanks ergit for the effort!

Was San Fernando an important American settlement? Very Americanized yung names ng mga places eh...like Wallace, Saint William (instead of San Guilliermo), etc..?

Hi :) CosmoManila, here's a brief history of San Fernando>>>

The earliest settlement in San Fernando is believed to have existed before the early Ming Dynasty. Archeological findings revealed porcelain, beads, spearheads and other objects indicating that early settlers traded with mainland China and the Middle East.

The ancient villages were often raided by pirates -- Muslims from the south or the Chinese from the north -- that plied the South China Sea or at war with tribal groups from the highlands of the Cordillera.

Pindangan, as it was then called, became San Fernando in 1850 and was made provincial capital of the new province of La Union.

Dissent against the Spanish authorities found their outlet through numerous uprisings. In San Fernando, the climax came in 1896 when the Spanish garrison was attacked by Filipino insurgents.

The Americans ruled the Philippines after the shortlived Spanish-American War in 1898, when Spain ceded the country to the United States for $20 million, along with Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam. San Fernando experienced naval bombardment by the Americans as well as actual fighting on land.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/aerial-san-fernando.jpg
The Japanese bombed San Fernando on December 8, 1941. After three years of Japanese occupation, American planes reappeared over San Fernando on September 22, 1944. The Japanese retreated in 1945.

December 15, 1944 - fighter-bombers hit a fuel dump at San Fernando
January 2, 1945 - P-38, A-20s hit shipping in San Fernando harbor
February 9, 1945 - B-25, P-51s - Destroy buildings at San Fernando
February 17, 1945 - B-25, A-20, fighter-bombers attack San Fernando
March 6 - medium and fighter-bombers support guerrillas near San Fernando
March 7 - A-20s hit troop concentrations and gun positions San Fernando
March 8 - A-20s support guerrillas near San Fernando
March 9 - B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit San Fernando
March 10 - B-20, A-20s support guerrillas near San Fernando
March 20 - B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers fly ground support at San Fernando
March 22 - B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters hit San Fernando

San Fernando was designated a component city in 1998.

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Welcome Arch of Agoo La Union, 25 minutes drive south of San Fernando City (notice the beautiful trees with red flowers). Agoo is probably derived from "aroo" or "agoho" a pine-like evergreen tree that thrived in the western coast during the pre-Spanish Period.

If the name was based from agoho and became Agoo. Maybe the founder was a kapampangan.

If the name was based from agoho and became Agoo. Maybe the founder was a kapampangan.
:laugh:

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Coconut Grove Beach Resort in Bauang La Union features a international standard Lawn Bowls Green, one of its kind in Ilocos Region >> Lawn Bowls or Lawn Bowling is a precision sport where the goal is to roll slightly radially asymmetrical balls (called bowls) closer to a smaller white ball (the "jack" or "kitty") than one's opponent is able to do. It is related to bocce and pétanque. This game is most popular in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and in other UK territories.

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A world-class school>> Lorma Grade & High School Campus in San Juan, La Union

The Lorma San Juan Campus is where the Preschool, Grade School and Science High School are situated. It has been awarded Level II Accreditation Status for 5 years, the highest accreditation in the country, for its preschool, grade school and high school programs. The Lorma Preschool is one among only 3 preschools in the country with this level of accreditation while the Grade School is one of the 5 grade schools in the country awarded with the same level of accreditation. Just recently, the Science High School was granted the same level of accreditation, making it one among the only 3 high schools in the country with such status.

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The campus has world class facilities as well, having air-conditioned classrooms, a Speech laboratory, Science and IT laboratories, Purpose-made libraries and a music room. It also has a fully-equipped medical and dental clinic. A food court is located at the basement where Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) technology can be accessed. Safety is also a guarantee with its guarded parking areas monitored by a very efficient and reliable staff.

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Pindangan ruins, these are remnants of the first church of San Fernando, built of coral stones in 1674. The area was actually the old center of a settlement that was to become today's San Fernando, La Union.

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Bustling San Fernando has a rich nightlife and there are many restaurants and resorts to visit. Like most developing cities, the roads are jammed during rush hour. There is little sign of poverty in the city. San Fernando Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, the ebullient wife of Governor Ortega, says the province has a strong middle class. “The wealth is evenly spread, there are no hacienderos in La Union,” she remarked

Amid all the progress stands the decaying structure of the city’s first church, which has been dubbed the Pindangan ruins. This tranquil park is the site of the original church, which was built in 1759. Adjacent to the ruins is the new church and a Carmelite monastery.

Mayor Ortega said she is hoping to raise money to restore the church. She recalled meeting a few Spanish dignitaries who were visiting various churches in Ilocos Sur and in her best Spanish (she was a Spanish teacher in the University of the East), she proposed for them to consider restoring the Pindangan. Recalls the mayor: “When I offered my proposal, their response was, ‘There are many grand churches to restore in Ilocos, why should we pick one in La Union?’”

She proceeded to give them a tour of Pindangan. “I think I was close to convincing them already until I told them a story about how the first Spanish explorers were killed by the natives of La Union, who refused to recognize the Spanish queen! Well, that was that!” she laughed.

Mayor Ortega is also proud of San Fernando’s Botanical Park, which can be found on the outskirts of the city. The garden is on a hilly site and is a haven for nature lovers. It is San Fernando’s answer to Quezon City’s Parks and Wildlife; only it is less crowded. The park is a testament to the city’s reputation of being the cleanest and “health-friendliest” in the country.

The city’s top attractions are usually ensconced on a hill. Among them is the grand Ma Cho Chinese temple, which offers a panoramic view of the China Sea. After having witnessed a pig slaughtered by an ancient tribe and reciting the Rosary at the Pindangan Church, tourists can flock to this temple and make a wissh to the venerated Ma Cho.

Certainly, visiting La Union always promises a religious experience for anyone!

La Union is a six-hour drive from Metro Manila. Several resorts can be found in Bauang and San Fernando.

Thanks for that ergit. Beautiful! Love that lawn bowling thing. Hindi pala yung typical pinoy provincial city ang San Fernando. Basing my remarks from the pics, very clean and orderly. :cheers:

25 minutes drive south of San Fernando City is the beautiful town of Agoo. Famous as the hometown of the late Jose Aspiras, former Philippine Tourism Minister of the late strongman President Ferdinand Marcos and the site of the Agoo Apparition of the Virgin Mary which made headlines around the world.

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Agoo La Union Postcard

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Agoo Basilica - The only Basilica Minore north of Manila. Enshrined in the massive structure is the image of Our Lady of Charity which was left untouched during an earthquake that destroyed the church in 1892.

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Agoo Civic Center is located just infront of the Agoo Basilica

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The beach of Bauang offers a variety of small, smallest and larger resorts meeting all needs depending on your priorities. The clean beach with grayish to brownish sand from San Fernando City to Bauang expands about 10 km long and invites to extensive beach walks in day time or during the many magnificent sunset sceneries. Various Beach Resorts or cottages available along the beach are suitable for a stay from a few weeks to several months.

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Basi - a delicious sugar-cane based alcoholic beverage. This original ilocano wine can be easily purchased in Naguilian town along Naguilian Road leading to Baguio City.

NAGUILIAN, La Union - The municipal government of Naguilian, this province has launched a program for the development and promotion of its decades-old basi making industry.

This came after the local sugarcane wine, which many Ilocanos say tastes milder than the Japanese Suntory, was found to have a potential market in the country and in several foreign places, such as Hawaii and foreign places, such as Hawaii and California, where Ilocanos now reside.

Mayor Reynaldo J. Flores said the promotion of the "Naguilian basi" has received full support from Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro who recently came to this sugarcane-producing town to donate basi module equipment to the municipal government.

Flores described basi as the result of fermenting a mixture of juice extracted from selected sugar cane using a crusher called "dadapilan" and "bubod," a specially formulated yeast; bark of "duhat" tree to enhance the wine's reddish color, and young guava leaves.

Basi is fermented in a "burnay" (a large earthen jar) placed in a shaded area for a minimum of three months, Flores said, adding that the longer the fermentation period the smoother is the taste and the higher is the grade of the wine produced.

Flores said a project proposal recently completed called for at least six Naguilian barangays to be covered by the LGU-initiated basi-making project.

As programmed, Flores said, the farmers in the identified villages, who gave organized themselves into a cooperative, will be extended production loans in the form of sugar cane cuttings, fertilizers and other farm inputs.

He said bottling, labeling and packaging will be funded by the municipal government in coordination with San Miguel Corp. which will supply the bottles.

There is going to be a "new basi rebellion." Ito ay magaganap sa pag-"silang" ng nahihimlay na industria. Diego where are you?

There is going to be a "new basi rebellion." Ito ay magaganap sa pag-"silang" ng nahihimlay na industria. Diego where are you?
:) Ang Basi revolt happened in the town in Ilocos Norte called "Piddig". Tapos si Diego Silang was born in La Union. Present ako sa history class ko...hehe :)

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San Fernando City's Lady Mayor - MARY JANE C. ORTEGA

MAYOR JETSETTER

By CARMELA FONBUENA
NEWSBREAK

AN ABSENTEE mayor has been running San Fernando City since 1998. Mary Jane Ortega, 65, has no qualms disclosing that in her first term alone (1998 to 2001), she traveled 28 times abroad. That was at least nine trips every year. She recently came back from back-to-back trips to the US and Spain.

One must wonder what has become of San Fernando—in La Union, not Pampanga—under her remote-control administration. San Fernando is actually doing very well, thank you. One indication is that it has landed consistently on the Asian Institute of Management’s (AIM) list of the Philippines’ most competitive small cities.

World Bank activities usually keep the mayor away. The international organization has been giving technical assistance since 2000 to the city’s development strategy (CDS)—a city road map “putting equal focus on governance, education, and environment.” For this, Ortega, a former professor of Spanish in college, is periodically invited to World Bank conferences as speaker to share San Fernando’s development strategy with other local executives, or as a delegate to learn other strategies from them. Sometimes, it’s the United Nations taking her time. Ortega has been a member of the United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities since 2000.

The mayor makes up for the times she’s away by working late in the city hall.

The city’s good fortunes “all came from trash,” Ortega says, referring to its solid waste management project. Her concern for the environment started the city’s partnership with the World Bank, which offered technical assistance to San Fernando’s landfill project that Ortega promises to be operational before her term ends. The project involves expensive technology.

As the regional center of northern Luzon, the city gets its biggest pressure from the need for efficient solid waste management. Because of schools, offices, and hospitals serving the region, the city has an average of 50,000 visitors daily, each visitor contributing half a kilo of solid waste.

Mary Jane Ortega has always been an environmentalist. In the early 1990s, as the wife of then Rep. Victor Ortega (now the provincial governor) and as president of the city’s Innerwheel Club, she put up a botanical garden. She kept her environmental commitment when she was elected mayor. “We don’t want to be like other cities that neglect the environment for economic gains. They should go together.”

The city is now very popular for its environmental programs. Ortega was given the United Nations Habitat Scroll of Honor award in 2000 and is a consistent winner of the country’s cleanest and greenest city award.

With only a year left in her third and last term, Ortega still took on a new commitment: an early warning device for disasters. This she picked up from the latest World Bank conference she attended. The city has already done a hydro-geological study, detecting the city’s dangerous areas in case of an earthquake. She wants to “intensify” the efforts.

If there’s one dream that Ortega may not realize in her term, it is the development of Poro Point, an international sea- and airport. It has been her dream since she became mayor. The city expects the Fiesta Poro casino to draw tourists—like in Fort Ilocandia in Laoag, Ilocos Norte—and boost the city economy.

What are her political plans for 2007?

“I won’t run. There’s no vacancy,” she says. For more than a century now, San Fernando has been ruled by the Ortegas—arguably the longest-running political dynasty in the country.

The incumbent governor and his brother, three-term Rep. Manuel Ortega, might swap offices in the next election. “I’m not part of the musical chairs,” Mayor Ortega says.

And whom does she trust to succeed her? This is a concern raised by the city’s biggest benefactor, the World Bank. This will put San Fernando’s city development strategy to a test.

“I am foremost a teacher,” she says. “I’ve worked on capacity building in the city hall. I’m confident that…the projects have been institutionalized. I am ready to go.”

She was one of the featured speakers in the recently held WORLD URBAN FORUM in Vancouver Canada http://www.wuf3-fum3.ca/full_program/files/profile_speakers.asp?ID=96
http://www.iisd.ca/ymb/wuf3/22june.html

Just some of the global meets attended by Mayor MJ Ortega as featured speaker:
http://www.un.org/ga/Istanbul+5/pe66.htm
http://cities21.com/index.php?id=1487&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=89&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=983&cHash=a5c589f721
http://www.developmentfunds.org/fall04.htm
http://www.unescap.org/huset/women/reports/
http://www.apo-tokyo.org/speceven/arc0022ecoproducts.htm
http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_wdo.htm
http://www.apo-tokyo.org/ecoproducts2005/ICECGM_Program(22Sep2005).pdf
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Conference/Asian_Cities_5/prelims.pdf
http://www.ftpi.or.th/dwnld/achieve/ecoproduct/program.html
http://www.iclei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/events/montreal_summit/Media_and_Reports/ICLEI_WMCCC_PR_Dec_5.pdf
http://www.environmentalsummit.com/website/archives/2003/website/proceedings/proceedings_presentations.cfm

SAN FERNANDO CITY UNDER MARY JANE ORTEGA

REDUCED NUMBER OF SQUATTERS. In 1998, informal settlers accounted for 27 percent of households in the city. It was reduced to 5 percent in 2003.

MODEL IN WASTE MANAGEMENT. The World Bank promotes San Fernando’s engineered sanitary landfill as a model for local governments in other countries.

PREPARED FOR DISASTERS. The city did a hydro-geological study that pinpointed the areas that will be prone to damage should an earthquake occur.

FISHERMEN GET OWN HOUSES. The Fishermen’s Village is being developed to give fishing families that had been squatting for 50 years their own houses. Twenty-eight of the target 97 houses have been built so far.

SOCIAL SERVICES PRIORITIZED. San Fernando has been recognized for its programs for the rehabilitation of street children, mentally-deranged people, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. It has a continuing feeding program for malnourished children, built lying-in clinics in remote villages and additional daycare centers.

MOTHERS AND FARMERS GET EDUCATION. Mothers are given lessons on how to properly care for their children, while farmers are taught modern technologies in agriculture.

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In La Union, there are several dive spots to explore and Ocean Deep Dive Shop instructors can teach you how to dive properly, for more info visit their website: http://www.oceandeep.biz/index.htm

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14 Mile Reef The reef is found 14 miles from somewhere - no-one's quite sure where - but most likely San Fernando harbour. This is a tremendous site and should not be missed. The corals are incredible and the variety of large fish life is breathtaking. You can expect to encounter whitetip and blacktip sharks, hammerheads, marlin, groupers and tuna. Shell life is also profuse. It should be noted that this dive is for the experienced only due to the depths and currents and an experienced guide is a must. Fortunately the distance from shore and depths have put off the dynamiters and this reef remains mostly in pristine condition.
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Research Reef The reef is located about 10 minutes ride straight out from Ocean Deep. It begins in about 25 feet and drops gradually to 100 feet where it become sandy. The caverns area offers several tunnels and swim through with 40-50 foot valleys. There is one large cavern, which goes in about 30 feet and is about 20 feet in diameter. Many lobster and small cleaner shrimp can be seen here.

Tamayo Reef This reef is the northern part of Research on the charts. It has many taller valleys and big coral heads. One place is called Grouper Gulch because several large groupers have been sighted here.

Hashi Maru This wreck is a Japanese freighter, which was sunk by US Bombs in 1941. It is in 75 feet of water on the edge of the reef. Because of the sandy/muddy area where it sunk, visibility is not always the best. The wreck is in several pieces now after some salvage attempts. It is fun to start digging in the hull area where you can find tire interiors plus glue. Gas masks, and several ammunitions. Please do not bring the ammo up as several have actually exploded even though they have been there for over 50 years.

VOA/Lighthouse/Domes The Voice of America, the Wallace Lighthouse and the Radar Domes of Wallace all are located along the Poro Point Peninsula. The reef begins on the shore and extends out about 300 meters from shore. It begins a gradual slope and eventually gets to about 120 feet. There are Coral crevices and small hole, which house several different species of fish. Lobster have been seen here. A small nurse shark has been sighted here but not seen since Nov 2000. It is usually the best place to go if the weather is a bit rough as it is the last to get bad visibility and the first to clear.

Red Buoy The red buoy area is on the right side of the harbor on return. The actually buoy has not been there for 12 years. There is a wall, which extends from 25 feet to 120 feet. (It is difficult to find) Also several varieties of fish. We have seen eagle rays in this area.

Black BuoyThe black buoy is located on the northern entrance to the harbor. There are many tunnels and caverns, which have lobster, grouper, and jacks. This is the best area for sighting these types of underwater creatures. The reef runs mostly north and south and begins about 20 feet deep and has a well defined wall down to 50 feet. 40-50 feet has many large coral heads with many valleys and crevices. (The buoy has not been there for 20 years)

FAGG REEF This is, without doubt, the most famous site in the area. Situated a 40 min boat trip away from La Union, the reef is actually part of the shelf that marks the divide between The Lingayan Gulf and The South China Sea.

The site may also be referred to as The Tanks as three WW2 M10 tanks were dropped off a barge at the end of the war and came to rest on a ledge part of the way down the drop-off at 39m. As a result, they have become home to a wide and diverse range of marine life.

Around the tanks and on the drop-off you can expect to see wrasses, dorados, Spanish mackerel, king barracuda and leopard rays. Whitetip sharks are common and if you're really lucky you may come across a whale shark.

It should be emphasised that the drop-off descends to some 250m and currents can carry the unwary towards it. This dive should only be untaken by the experienced and a knowledgable guide employed. This is not an easy dive.


Fagg Reef South Fagg reef begins about 20 feet and can drop off to 600 feet. Most areas have a gradual slope not a well-defined wall. The south end has some remains of timber possibly from an old ship. Other than this it is flat and not much to see.

Fagg North This area has a well-defined wall, which runs north and south. There are several pieces of metal, which resembles a ship at about 100 feet. To the North East are some small coral heads which have fish under. This reef is mostly damaged by illegal dynamite fisherman. Most of the coral here is dead.
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Fagg Tanks Of the 675, M10A1E tanks built at Grand Blanc Arsenal between Sept., l943 and November, l943, 300 were left with the original 3 in. gun and an additional 2,500-pound weight to counter balance the turret. 3 of them together and one to the east now rest in 135 Feet of water. Another is located in 200 feet of water along with other metal, which was dumped there after WWII.

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Several government agencies have relocated at the Government Center, a wide developed lot owned and donated by the La Union Provincial Government, located along the San Fernando By-Pass Road in Sevilla, San Fernando City. These agencies are HDMF, DOJ, DOST, DENR, NAPOLCOM, DBM, COA and LTFRB.

By Tonette Orejas
Inquirer
Last updated 01:46am (Mla time) 07/07/2006

Published on Page A17 of the July 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Catholic Church in La Union stood by its opposition to a casino in Poro Point that an official of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) said had a license to operate from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The casino opened quietly amid protests from Church leaders in the province.

Narciso Abaya, retired general and head of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), said he understood that the Poro Point casino, which is owned by International Thunderbird Gaming Corp. (ITGC), has a license from the Pagcor.

“I supposed Pagcor has done its part and gave [ITGC] a license to operate a casino,” he said.

In Manila, Palace sources said the proponents of the casino were told by top officials not to proceed with the project, but insisted on opening the gaming facility.

They said even President Macapagal-Arroyo frowned on the project.

They refused to say, however, how the casino was able to push through despite opposition from the Palace officials.

Abaya said ITGC has a land lease contract with the BCDA for the gaming center.

He said its contract allowed it to develop a 65-hectare tourism complex.

The complex was to also have a golf course, a beach walk, a promenade and villas.

Bishop Artemio Rillera, of the Diocese of San Fernando, La Union, has objected to the casino project, saying it would spawn “untold evils” like prostitution and drug abuse.

He said “there can never be a justification for promoting gambling under the pretext of generating jobs for the unemployed.”

The bishop said that while the casino was supposed to just cater to moneyed clients, even employees of the provincial government have started patronizing it.

Abaya said he signed the contract in 2005 on the endorsement of the BCDA board of directors.

According to him, the lease contract required ITGC to secure the necessary permits from government agencies, including Pagcor.

“It’s a legal project,” he added, referring to the tourism estate.

Agoo Mayor Eufranio Eriguel, president of the La Union Mayors’ League, said the casino was providing employment to residents in San Fernando and nearby towns like Bauang and Aringay.

He said the casino should be viewed along with its other component, the tourism complex, as a rest and recreation area where people go to “unwind after a hard day’s work.”

“We can also have dining in the area as there is a first-class restaurant near the casino,” he told the Inquirer on Thursday.

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=8519

Previous news of Poro Point casino: http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=6312
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business06_june08_2006

ganda ng mga tanawin

San Fernando City exemplifies best practices in local governance and enhancing business opportunities
By Jose B. Cortez

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San Fernando City in the province of La Union has always been associated with beach resorts and native delicacies, such as rice cakes and dried and salted fish. But beyond the delicacies, beyond the natural beauty of the place is a dynamic city, aggressively pushing for both economic and environmental development.

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San Fernando City for sometime now has been one of the centers of trade and commerce in the area. It hosts a small airport and a commercial sea port, along with numerous business establishments to rival those found in any developed metropolis.

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The city, all of its 105 square kilometers, is nestled on a land rich in natural resources. Thus, amidst its green fields of rice, corn, and tobacco, and numerous fishing and farming areas, the biggest manufacturing companies and a special economic zone have found their niche in San Fernando.

More than 125 kilometers of paved road traverse San Fernando, conveying travelers and commuters within the city and outside major points such as the airport in Brgy. Canaoay (about three kilometers from the main thoroughfare) and to the two seaports, and two timber piers along the city’s outskirts.

Strategy Implementor
San Fernando belongs to the first generation of City Development Strategy (CDS) imple-mentors. The strategy focuses on a city’s livability, competitiveness, bank-ability, and good governance. Together with six other cities — Dapitan, Dipolog, Lapu-Lapu, Olongapo, Roxas, and Sagay – San Fernando serves as a knowledge resource for other cities for best practices in local governance and in enhancing business opportunities in urban areas.
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The city is home to numerous industries. Aside from farming and fishing, large manufacturing companies such as Coca Cola, Union Galva Steel, and Soiltech Agricultural Products, have established operations in the area, as well as most of the commercial banks.

The Poro Point Special Economic Zone, under the Bases Conversion Development Authority, is seen as a “sleeping giant.” It is expected to further boost the economic thrust of San Fernando once the area is fully developed.

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The indicators of a fast emerging urban zone are seen in San Fernando: from modest skyscrapers, to adequate electricity and water supply, to an enviable telephone density and cable television servicing a population of more than 100,000. Major telephone operators such as PLDT, Digitel, and Smart are all plying their trade in San Fernando.

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The employment rate in San Fernando stands at a respectable 92.8%, one of the highest in all of the major cities in the Philippines. These workers generated the bulk of the P251 million worth of revenues collected in the year 2000 alone. With this in mind, city leaders have implemented a notable tax and business scheme aimed at making tax collection more efficient and the establishment of new businesses easier for potential investors. City leaders are proud to report that the city government has taken a proactive stance on tax collection, registering high tax collection rates compared with other cities in the country.

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Becoming an Eco-city
While San Fernando is currently enjoying an economic boom, the city wants to streamline its unhindered march towards progress via a number of development and environmental programs. In sustaining its commercial viability, it also aims to balance this by addressing the needs of its fragile ecology. Mayor Mary Jane Ortega says, “Our vision is to make San Fernando the Botanical Garden City of the North as a symbol of our commitment to the environment.” She also reiterates her administration’s resolve to implement programs such as solid waste management, clean air protection, and coastal resources management, among many others.

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Mayor Ortega hopes to protect San Fernando’s natural resources, and, in the process, turn the city into a model urban center for others in the region to emulate. She wishes to address the traffic congestion that developing cities usually encounter in its quest for progress. “We have banking centers and trade centers. We have very good communications infrastructure but we still don’t have a commercial airport. The only way to access us is by land. Unfortunately, during peak seasons, traffic usually builds up,” she laments, adding that an airport with regular flights to and from the city will alleviate the situation.

Mayor Ortega shares that San Fernando is also looking at becoming a major player in the information technology industry. “One of our major focus is on services. We have several computer schools here, so we are churning out a lot of computer course graduates hoping we could harness this and make San Fernando an IT capital in the Ilocos Region.

By Henry S. Lagasca

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (15 May) -- The Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) which also manages the strategic 260-hectare former American baseland is determined to perk up business activity in the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone (PPSEFZ) following last Friday's inaugural flight of the Asian Spirit chartered airline.

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http://www.asianspirit.com/

After the suspension of its flights a few years ago, the airline is running a twice-a-week flights to accommodate passengers from Manila to San Fernando, La Union and vice-versa.

Antonio Manguiat, vice-president and chief executive officer of the PPMC said that flights are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays.

A 19-seater chartered plane (LET 410) will leave Manila at 8:00 a.m. Monday and will fly back to Manila from the San Fernando airport at 9:30 a.m. On Fridays, the plane will take off from the Manila Domestic Airport at 1:00 p.m. and will go back at 4:00 p.m.

Manguiat said the plane will cost P1,700 (one-way ticket) per passenger for the 50-minute flight from Manila-San Fernando.

Local officials, businessmen and tourism industry leaders attended the brief program for the inauguration and blessing held at the airport's conference room Friday afternoon where PPMC officials received the flight plan from the plane's pilot, Capt. Carlos Alves.

Gov. Victor Ortega and his wife San Fernando City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega welcomed the resumption of commercial flights. They said that the presence of commercial flights here will boost tourist arrivals, hotel occupancy and opening of new business.

Aside from the airline's manpower, PPMC with its airport crew and security will assist in handling the operation, Manguiat said.

During its initial flights, the Fiesta Poro Resorts, an investor in the Poro Point Tourism Complex, assured the airline that it will shoulder 10 seats to clients during flights in and out of the city until such time when flight bookings will increase and passenger capacity will project a stable market.

Travelling by car from Manila to San Fernando takes six hours.

Asian Spirits, aside from Manila-San Fernando route, also flies to Laoag and back to Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The airline is resuming its commercial flights after its first attempt in 2002 hoping that this time would be a winning proposition more so because of the investoirs and partners backing its operation.

Manguiat said that the Asian Spirit surely play a big role in the tourism industry due to the backing of the La Union Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association (LUHRRA), the Filipino-Chinese community and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of La Union (CCLU).

Asian Spirit flies to Poro Pt.

The Bases Conversion Development Authority said the recent decision of Asian Spirit airlines to resume its flights to and from Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union, is a big vote of confidence for the fledgling special economic zone and is expected to contribute further to the area’s development as a major tourism hub. BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Narciso Abaya said the regular commercial flights of Asian Spirit to and from Poro Point would benefit not only the locators in the Poro Point Special Economic Zone but likewise the local tourism industry which is anchored on La Union’s scenic beaches and the rustic charm of northern Luzon. The BCDA oversees the redevelopment of the country’s former US military bases into special economic zones through subsidiary companies. It is mandated to ensure the viability of the zones for investment purposes to spur economic growth particularly in the countrysides. "The return of Asian Spirit will definitely boost La Union’s tourism industry and create more jobs. It will also provide our investors a faster and reliable means of travel between Manila and Poro Point, which is essential in today’s fast-moving global economy," the BCDA chief said.

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Lexber Beachworld Resort is an affordable, leisure, tourism, and residential vacation property development, built as hotel units. It is strategically located at a 3.4 hectare property by the beach in Brgy. Panicsican, San Juan, La Union, 6 kilometers from San Fernando, La Union, 10 kilometers from Poro Point, and 60 kilometers from Baguio City.

The development framework consists of two condotel (condominium-hotel) type models, Model 48 for the 48 sq.m. units and Model 32 for the 32 sq.m. units. There are 126 Model 48 units, which is located directly facing the beach and 328 Model 32 units. A total of 454 units condotel units will be built. All units will be finished and fully furnished as 3-star hotel units. One distinct advantage of the unit owners is that some of the units are placed in a certain pool, to be operated as condotel or serviced apartelle, managed by the Corporation or a highly experienced hotel management professional group for better efficiency. The owners can earn revenue from their units while they are not using them.

This development project comes complete with the amenities of a world-class resort. It has an aesthetically designed entrance gate and beautifully landscaped open areas and gardens with pipe-in soft music. It has a swimming pool at the center, with a children's pool beside it having slides and other water fun activities. There is an Administration building and a Club House with a multi-purpose hall, convenience store; Laundromat; whirlpool, jacuzzi, sauna, and gym facilities; and shower rooms. There are also designated playgrounds and play areas for sports activities like volleyball, basketball or tennis. Water fun equipments such as jet skis, banana boats and the likes will also be provided. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will put up a Casino Filipino at the Clubhouse extension. Initially, Slot Machine Arcades will be put up. The gaming tables will follow later.

Necessary facilities in the development will be considered for integration in the development design features that will ensure the safety, security and convenience of future owners and visitors. Roads, alleys and all sidewalks, curbs and gutters will be concrete-paved. Basic amenities include 24-hour security, and overhead water tanks. A very significant facility that will be installed is a wastewater treatment system which will be utilized for the treatment of sanitary sewage from the hotel units and restaurant facilities. For every building, there are scenic elevators that service all floors for the convenience of the unit owners, at the same time add to the aesthetic appearance of the buildings, and allow the unit owners and guests to catch a glimpse of the captivating scenery.

Eagle of The North, Agoo
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AGOO CIVIC CENTER aka JOSE ASPIRAS CIVIC CENTER
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:righton: thanks jadebench for the nice agoo photos. please post some more!! :)

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Outstanding Health Programs and Services (Galing Pook Foundation)

Medical and health services are so expensive that many Filipinos cannot afford to get sick. But in La Union, poor residents can worry less about getting sick because there is a hospital that wouldn’t turn them away—the La Union Medical Center.

The hospital has a system to discourage “dole out mentality” and enable indigent patients to pay in kind.
“We allow the patient’s relatives or friends to clean the hospital premises and water the plants, or to donate blood, fruits and vegetables,” explains La Union Governor Victor F. Ortega. “It depends on the patient’s capacity to pay. If the cost of patient’s hospitalization is P50,000 and he or she donates only a basket of vegetables, then that’s it.”

Patients are categorized from class A to D. Class A and B patients pay their bills. Class C patients get discounts of 25-75%. Class D patients get charity and pay in kind. The amount not paid is considered “quantified free service.” Since 2002, the quantified free service had amounted to P36 million.

From April 2002 to December 2003, the hospital rendered services to 77,308 patients (including those from Pangasinan and Benguet), 66% of such were charity patients, 26% were Philhealth-covered patients, and 8% were private pay patients. As of September 2004, it had served 122,100 patients, consisting of 98,268 out-patient consultations and 23,832 hospital admissions.

Paradigm shift in the hospital’s services came after a P650-million donation from the European Union. The hospital was transformed in April 2002 into a world class 100-bed medical center with 16 air-conditioned rooms and several state-of-the-art equipments, including a CT Scan unit worth P14 million, a hemodialysis unit worth P5 million, and a reagent/solution machine worth P3 million. These equipments are operated in joint venture with the private sector.

To operate, manage, and sustain the hospital as a medical center, the provincial government turned it into an “Economic Enterprise for Sustainability and Development” through Executive Order No. 4 series of 2002. It formulated a private-public mix type of cost recovery and revenue enhancement program involving joint ventures with the private sector, which invested on the CT scan and home dialysis units.

The investors pay for the rent, electricity, and employees. Of the gross revenue, 15% goes to the hospital. The income is placed in a trust fund to subsidize indigent patients who use the said machines.

The Department of Health-Region I also granted P1.5 million to the trust fund for retail pharmacy operation. Of the net income, 60% goes to the charity fund, 20% to capital build-up, and 20% to miscellaneous expenses. In 29 months of operation, the pharmacy earned a net income of P2.17 million.

The medical center implements an Integrated Hospital Operation-Management Information System (HOMIS). Through a network of 33 computers, the system links the cost resource areas, the billing and cash sections for easy access to the hospital’s cash flow.

The hospital had increased its employees from 139 to 238, including part-time or contractual specialists in the fields of neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, urology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, radiology, ENT, internal medicine, cardiology, diabetology, nephrology, and anesthesia.

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The hospital’s growing economic viability had made it less and less dependent on subsidy from the provincial government. Its actual cash collection from April 2002 to September 2004 representing regular hospital services is P64.66 million. There are also accounts receivables from Philhealth amounting to P5.5 million.

The medical center’s sustainability is ensured by the continuing partnership with stakeholders and the signing of Republic Act No. 9259 by President Macapagal-Arroyo last March, transforming it into a non-stock, non-profit local government owned and controlled corporation.

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The 225MW Bauang medium-speed bunker-fired diesel power plant was developed by FPPC, a company established jointly by Meralco, FPHC, PCI Capital and JG Summit Holdings, Inc. (JG Summit) in October 1992 for the purpose of undertaking private power projects. FPPC successfully bidded for the design, construction and operation of the Bauang plant under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement. Subsequently, on February 3, 1993, BPPC was incorporated as the special purpose vehicle to directly implement the project. On 15 March 1993, BPPC, FPPC, and NPC entered into an Accession Undertaking naming BPPC the party to the BOT Agreement who assumed all the obligations, rights, benefits and interests of FPPC under the BOT Agreement.

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Subsequently, First Gen acquired a 40% interest in FPPC, which in turn owns 93.25% of BPPC. First Gen effectively owns 37.3% of Bauang, with the balance owned by Meralco, JG Summit and the Philippine American Life Insurance Company.

Bauang, one of the largest bunker-filed diesel power generation facilities in the world, is located approximately 255 kilometers north of Manila in Payocpoc Sur, Bauang, La Union (about 12 kilometers south of San Fernando City). The Bauang power plant commenced operations on July 25, 1995. Bauang sells all of its electricity to NPC under the 15-year BOT Agreement, which expires in July 2010. Fuel is supplied by NPC.

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Holcim Philippines is the leading cement company in the industry. It is committed to building foundations for society’s future, by providing quality products and services, and opportunities for the sustainable development of communities where it operates. It is a member of Holcim, one of the world's leading suppliers of cement, aggregates, concrete and construction-related services.

Holcim Philippines, Inc. is the leading cement manufacturer in the Philippines. The incorporation in January 2000 is the result of a merged from three cement companies: Hi Cement Corporation, Davao Union Cement Corporation and Bacnotan Cement Corporation. In October 2002, the company acquired majority ownership of a fourth cement company, Alsons Cement Corporation. The annual cement production capacity is 9.6 million tonnes and the company employs 1 401 people.

Holcim Philippines, Inc. plants are certified ISO 9002 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environment Management System) and ISO 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety) certification is in progress.

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North of San Fernando City is the coastal town of Luna where the Church of Catherine of Alexandria is located. Built in the center of the town (formerly called Namacpacan), the church houses the image of Our Lady of Namacpacan (“Apo Baket Who Fed People” in Iloco), patroness of Ilocano travelers.

Built in the 18th-19th centuries by the Augustinians. The church houses one of the most important pilgrimage sites during the colonial era--the shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan. The sprawling convento is now a school. The town itself has many preserved heritage houses.

Posted by jui under * Fresh Posts , La Union on February 7th, 2006
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My first trip to the Philippines to visit my wifes’ family was a pleasant surprise for me. I was warned by friends that the locals would call me “Joe” and I would be besieged by peddlers since I would stick out like a sore thumb. These warnings were from former GIs who had not been back to the Philippines in a LONG time.
After a total of 31 hours of travel time, which included 24 hours of flight and waiting time and a 7 hour van trip from Manila to the Cabana Resort (http://www.sflu.com/cabana/ ), we arrived needing a place to unwind and rest. The next 7 days were spent soaking up the local flavor of the beautiful reefs, shopping at the fresh market in San Fernando, visiting a Cockfight, and taking a day trip to Baguio. And did I forget to mention the local bars and Karaoke Clubs along the strip leading to the old Wallace Air Station. I am always amazed at the talented bands that play in these clubs. They rival some of the best bands that play in our super clubs in my Spring Break Capitol hometown of Panama City, Fl.
As a first time visitor I was amazed at the value of our currency. Our waterfront accomodations were a bargain at approx. $25.00 per night. My two snorkelling trips with my personal guide were $10.00 for a two hour trip to the reefs. Food and drinks were equally inexpensive. I’m sure everyone has their personal preferences, for me I prefer the Beach over the Mountains of Baguio and I found the City of San Fernando to be less congested. Also, being of Chinese decent I always search out the authentic Chinese restaurants and I found the Mandarin Restaurant in San Fernando to be quite adequate and very reasonably priced.
All in all I can see why some balikbayans choose to return to the Philippines when they reach retirement age as you could certainly live very well on the average Social Security check. As a matter of fact we visited one of our friends who did just that . She enjoys the cooler weather of Baguio and has a live in maid, a lifestyle she could hardly afford in the U.S. I brought back a lot of memories and after two weeks back home I still think about the great times we had. You can keep the congestion and hustle and bustle of Manila, send me back to the Province of La Union!

The Philippine Travel Blog
(Covering the best of the Philippines)
http://philippines.macalua.com/2006/02/07/bauang-paradise/

Is Namacpacan the birthplace of the Luna brothers?

sorry dito ba'

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Lingayen 1944

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Is Namacpacan the birthplace of the Luna brothers?
Great Filipino painter Juan Luna was born in Baddoc, Ilocos Norte. I don't have an idea where Luna LU got their name, perhaps from the name of the famous brothers themselves. :)

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Some photo shots of spectacular San Fernando City sunset.

sorry dito ba'

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Pwede rin kasi Lingayen Gulf ay extension ng South China Sea na nasa western side ng San Fernando and other coastal towns of La Union. Thanks tigs!:righton:

@ergit222, i'm in-love with those sunset pics. :)

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Discover BLUE HEAVEN La Union, Philippines
- Mellow & Relaxing, for Longboard Surfers -
text by Hiroshi Yokohama

There is a place up north of Manila where you can relax and have all the peace and quiet in this world. If you love the sun, sand and sea, this spot is perfect for you. If you know how to surf, we've just rediscovered heaven.

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La Union, one of the premiere and oldest surf spots in the Philippines, is fast shaping up to be the next surfing Mecca in this part of Asia. La Union's surfing history dates back late in the 1970s when the Americans were stationed in the different U.S. bases like Subic, Camp John Hay & Wallace air base. During their leisure hours, the big beach boys of America would often hang out in the beaches of this province and were the first ones who discovered the surf. Soon, word spread out like wildfire to every American serviceman, especially those who loved to surf. To the young locals back then who watched these big "kids" ride, the sport of surfing was something new. Little by little, people came to appreciate and "feel" the passion and sense of freedom of the sport.

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After the discovery of Cloud 9, foreign surfers shifted to Siargao and most of the surfing spots declined, especially places like Puraran with its well-known Majestic, in Catanduanes island. Nobody goes there anymore except for some few freak surfers.But La Union's beauty could not just be ignored. Still, many foreign surfers, most especially longboarders, really have come to love the place.

It was about five years ago when I first surfed in La Union. I used to be the only surfer who carried a 9ft. surfboard back then. Nowadays, many longboarders frequent the place. We have just concluded recently and for the first time a longboard competition, and the main organizers of the event were all longboard freaks who loved to surf in La Union.

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In my years as a surfer and with the other places I have been throughout the world, I would affirm that La Union is the best surf spot for longboard surfing in the Philippines and the quality of the wave is world-class. Most of the other surf points are shallow reef breaks and the hollow waves are really challenging. Compared to other spots, surfing in La Union is easier and more relaxing.

Adding to that, there is more to this place's waves that keeps people coming back. I think it is in the atmosphere, wind, air and the warm people of La Union. San Juan town, just minutes away from San Fernando City, is a mellow, easy, peaceful and comfortable place. The main surf point here is Monaliza Point. I have found this place very safe, and I usually sleep in the beach and watch the stars until the break of dawn.

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Hanging loose popular actor Jericho Rosales (left) is a surfing regular in San Juan La Union.

This place brings us back in time to the atmosphere of the 1950s, in the north shore of Hawaii. In those days, the pioneer surfers from California went to surf and surfed and surfed. In La Union, you can do that, too.

Peter Drouyn, a legendary Australian master surfer in the 1970s, has been attracted to this kind of atmosphere La Union brings. He even bought an island together with his friend Bryan, and named it Drouyn Island. Of course, the island had excellent waves, too.

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Presidential daughter Ms. Luli Arroyo (3rd from left) with surfing friends in San Juan La Union and La Union's great surfer Luc Landrigan (wearing light blue t-shirt) is Ms. Luli's regular surfing instructor.

Dick Hoole, another Australian and one of the most famous surfing filmakers, (Hoole/McCoy Films), is now a regular and he frequently takes pictures and videos of the place. His famous movies include "Stormriders" in 1982 and "Tubular Swells" in 1976. (Dick is a quiet and mellow person, a very nice guy. Once, he got my video camera and took shots of me while I was riding. For someone of Dick's caliber, that was quite an opportunity. Thanks, Dick.)

Monaliza point's waves look like Malibu, even with small swells. The quality of the wave is also like Malibu. From one to four feet breaks. The Surfer magazine was quoted as it described..., "The Monaliza point in La Union is one of the premier spots in the Philippines. It catches swells like a giant magnet, good power on winter north swells with jacking peaks, long walls and an inside bowl, all rights. There is a growing number of local surfers in this area between Monaliza's and Bacnotan is a long beach with some breaks over sand bars, best for beginners."

This spot is available all year round. Best season is from the end of October to the end of January. In the peak season, the waves get to 3 to 5 feet or close out. When this point closes out, our favorite point alternative starts to break. Just minutes away from Monalisa, Car-rille, becomes our secret point. We call it our "1 km. point." Everybody really waits for this point to break, because when it starts to break you can have a long ride, at least 500 meters, if you are good. During such time, Car-rille's waves could be compared to those of Rincon, one of the classic points in California. Do you think I am exaggerating? Come and see the waves for yourself.

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Not only the waves but also the babes :)

http://www.yokohamasurf.com.ph/

MORE GREAT SURFING ACTION SHOTS HERE >> http://surfsebay.allhyper.com/psf_surfing_invitational_2005.htm

BY SANDRA DIEZ

One can only hope that when we have passed on from this life, our meanderings end, and whatever is left of our physical selves is left to rest forever.

In some circumstances, however, depending on the whim of our loved ones – or twists of fate – our remains can continue to rove from place to place, and perhaps even affect the living in profound ways.

Such was the fate of four ancient Kankana-eys. In 1940, their skeletons were discovered by George Lictao and removed from their resting place in Kidlap Cave in the mountain village of Kambali in Bagulin, La Union. In 1978, the skeletons were turned over to the Philippine Tourism Authority who gave them to the provincial government for safekeeping.

Only recently were the skeletons finally brought home, thanks to the efforts of La Union Governor Victor Ortega and his wife, San Fernando Mayor Mary Jane Ortega.

At the Museo de La Union where the remains were held in display cubicles for over 20 years, Kankana-ey elders from Bagulin performed a sinitsit, a tribal ritual honoring the dead, and proceeded to carefully transfer into a wodden box the 400-year-old bones, together with other precious artifacts like spears, pottery, plates, amulets, and a native musical instrument called a pew-pew. A six-by-six truck then hauled the precious cargo over rough roads to the remote village of Bagulin, a half hour away from the provincial capital.

With all the villagers in attendance, the historical return was celebrated with a cañao, a traditional feast wherein two pigs and a pregnant carabao where slaughtered as offerings. George’s son Jason, who is now municipal secretary, says that since the skeletons were taken, the local community was said to experience a string of ill fortune like drought and crop damage. It is hoped that with the homecoming, the villagers can now look forward to good harvests, and the spirits of their ancestors can finally rest in peace.

As the journey of the Kankana-ey skeletons ended, guests and media from Manila were taken on a spiritual tour of sorts around La Union and its environs to see what the province has to offer.

The City of San Fernando is known as the botanical city of the north and the springboard to regional progress.

The 20 hectares of rolling hills is divided into pocket gardens together with a mini zoo. The pocket gardens and its collection of plants complete with scientific names are grouped according to themes: Japanese garden, the Mexico garden, the herbal, cactus paradise, fernery, sunken garden, fragrance garden, an orchidarium and other variety of fern, palm, flowering plants and fruit bearing trees. A butterfly sanctuary and catalog of plant information makes it a place for research for students from different universities and colleges as far as Pampanga aside from having a place to commune with nature at a low fee of 10 and 5 pesos.

This garden park was a project of then lawmaker Governor Ortega, (the late) former Governor Justo O. Orros, Jr. and former Mayor now Congressman Manuel C. Ortega.

The Botanical garden was a project of Mayor Mary Jane Ortega when she was still and NGO together with Dr. Romualdo del Rosario, the head of the Botany Division of the National Museum. Conceived in December 1994, the Botanical Garden was underway on March 1995 funded through the Coutryside Development Fund of the then Congressman Victor F. Ortega. The garden was opened to the public on March 2, 1996.

A counterpart of the Botanical Garden is the eight hectare sanitary landfill of the city. It is a controlled dumpsite, where the garbage is covered daily after the recyclables are recovered by secondary waste pickers. After a two week study tour in the United States hosted by the USAID-Asian Environment Program, Mayor Ortega was supported by USAID and the World Bank in organizing the Solid Waste management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP). It has conducted training in solid management that gave the name of "Basura Queen" because of the success of the project. Mayor Ortega has planted Ilang-Ilang trees, Champacas and several decorative plants in order to make the visit a pleasurable one.

Pindangan Ruins is located at Brgy. San Vicente, San Fernando City, La Union, about 500 meters from the national highway, near Camp Oscar Florendo, the Regional Headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The original name of San Fernando, Pindangan in the Ilocano dialect means a place where meat is sun dried with salt for preservation. Because of the place’s abundant dried meat, the place was called Pindangan.

The church’s huge buttresses still stand today with its wide windows for better ventilation and view from inside. To centralize and start its evangelization in the area, the Frayles Francisco Romero and Santiago Holarte built a church made of stone thatch at the present site in 1764. Because of its proximity to the sea however, there were numerous raids by Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates that usually loot the coastal areas of La Union. To solve the problem, the Spanish clergy decided to transfer the church to Brgy. Tanqui then to Brgy. Cabaroan and afterwards to its present site in front of the City Auditorium.

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Today, the ruins’ buttresses and walls are still standing. An old well which supplied the area with cool water through the centuries, can still be found at the side of the church. Made of corals and bricks, the enchanting well is still in good condition. The Carmelite Sisters, whose monastery stands behind the ruins, are the caretakers of the glorious landmark.

If Boracay is famous for its white sand beaches the town of Luna, is famous for its colorful and fine pebble stones of various sizes and shapes. Named after the heroic Luna brothers, the town has not only provided pebble stones in the country but in abroad as well. What is fascinating is that although generations of stone pickers in the area have constantly harvested the shore’s treasures, including the large scale quarrying the 1980s, the supply of the stones seems to be endless.

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It is believed that the stones are gifts from the miraculous "Lady of Namacpacan" to the faithful people of Luna as a source of living and as an alternative to fishing which had claimed countless lives of the brave fishermen of Luna. One of its most famous stone pickers who became very controversial in the 1990s is the much fabled track star Nancy Navalta. According to the locals, one of Nancy’s secret for being a fast runner is the Luna Beaches, where she practiced during her elementary and high school days. Also on the beach of Luna stands a watchtower built by the Spaniards as a watch tower for marauding Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates. Today, the baluarte is almost in ruins, vertically cut in two because of erosion. It still stands as if watching its industrious stone pickers try to earn a meager income.

Situated at the center of the aged town of Agoo, the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity has stood for scores of centuries now as one of the long venerated configurations of the Virgin in the Philippines.

It was founded in 1578 when two zealous Franciscan priests, Fray John Baptist Lucarelli of Pesaro, Italy and Fray Sebastian de San Francisco of Baesa, Spain on the time they got in the country for their evangelical mission. The settlement of the Franciscan Order opened the doors to Agoo’s embrace to God’s supremacy over mankind, making the town the first point of contact with Christianity for the Southern Ilocos region.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec06/trav1.htm

To inspire people to change their communities, they need to hear the stories of these local executives—again.

By Miriam Grace A. Go

If David Osborne and Ted Gaebler were to write a Philippine edition of Reinventing Government, the bible of innovative and entrepreneurial public administrators, more than half of the cases they will cite will come from the governor and mayors that we have in this issue. The rest will be provided by the emerging leaders from the countryside who, we’d like to think, had been inspired by what these pioneers have achieved.

Let’s not say we’ve heard enough of Josie dela Cruz, Jesse Robredo, Sonny Belmonte, Mary Jane Ortega, Francis Tolentino, and Rudy Duterte. If this country is to move forward, then the push will come from the local governments. If the people are to be inspired to do something for their community, then they will have to look up to the leaders closest to them. If we are to prove that such inspiring leaders are not rare or are flashes in the pan, then we will have to tell the stories of these six again and again.

What made the Outstanding 6 excel? We see from their stories that from the beginning, each of them had honest intentions: to serve and change things for the better. The intentions resulted in management plans and strategies that would be the envy of corporate executives. And what’s reassuring is that they’ve entrenched their most successful programs that their successors would be left with no choice but to sustain them.

How did they not lose sight after several elections and countless recognitions? Clearly, they’ve nurtured those honest intentions.

A lot of people are asking if these model local executives would care to carry to the Senate their good intentions, real intelligence, sensible methods, even their stubbornness on what they know is best. With the polls a year away, and with most of them reaching the constitutional limit on reelection, they are asked this question with increasing frequency.

They haven’t decided on higher office, they say. They are the type, however, who would know what do—and will do it—once they are there.

http://www.newsbreak.com.ph/newsbreak/story.asp?ID=123

Museu de Iloko, Agoo
once a Presidencia/President's resthouse next to the famous Baguio Mansion
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The Arko
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Agoo bird's eye view with the famous fountain and tree house of Imelda garden dedicated to former First Lady
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The Arko
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Then
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Now

@jadebench, actually the 1st photo is the Agoo Museo located just across the Agoo Basilica and Agoo Civic Center. I guess these Agoo photos were taken during the early 1980's. :)

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Lorma Medical Center has been at the forefront of providing quality medical care since its founding in 1933. From a small wooden clinic, the institution has grown both in size and capabilities over the years. The hospital's hallmark for the past seven decades has been one of service. The patient has come first at Lorma, and no needy patients have ever been refused care due to financial problems.

Through the years, the hospital has gradually built up its services, employee skills, equipment and medical staff. So that today, it offers complete services at par with that found in other medical centers.

Those patients needing treatment no longer have to travel to Manila for excellent medical care.

The doctors and nurses keep abreast of the latest advances in medical science by attending scientific conferences, observing at other hospitals here and abroad, and reading new books and journals in all branches of medicine. The nursing service and other units of the hospital are also being continually improved.

Lorma has an outreach program that provides charity medical services to the outlying barrios. The LORMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, operational in 1986, provides health care, income generating, educational and development assistance to the rural communities of La Union. This program is funded by the Lorma, foreign donors and by civic minded individuals from the Ilocos Region.

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The hospital is now a modern 136-bed general hospital with about 180 hospital workers; 2.9 workers for every patient on average. It IS accredited by the Employees' Compensation Commission and the Philippine Medicare Association and licensed for tertiary (the highest) level of services by the Ministry of Health. The hospital is departmentalized containing separate rooms and wards for surgical and medical cases. In 1970, it was adjudged as the Most Outstanding in the Philippines in Community Service.

Services covered include Special and General. Surgery, Neuro-surgery , Cancer treatment, Obstetrics, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Children s Diseases, Well-Baby Clinic, Family Planning, Blood, Heart and Lung Diseases, (X-ray), Anesthesiology, EENT. Diseases, Psychiatry, Respiratory Therapy, Dermatology, Neurology, Dentistry Family Medicine.

Clinical services and facilities include modem air-conditioned operating rooms for abdominal, cancer, orthopedic, urology, and neurosurgery, plastic and chest surgery, and operative gynecology and obstetrics.
Lorma has a modem Central Supply Unit wherein hospital equipment are sterilized. Needles and syringes
are all properly disposed to prevent cross infections. It has several electrocardiographs, a Pulsar portable
Cardio-resuscitation system consisting of a defibrillator. Recent new equipment purchases include 5 cardiac
monitors, a volume ventilator, and a very powerful electro-cautery machine for urinary and other surgical procedures.
The hospital has acquired in 1997 a powerful General Electric X-ray machine. This unit has an image intensifier, television monitor, spot film device, a motorized electric table and an automatic cassette changer. This 1000 MA unit is the only one of its kind outside of Manila. It is able to perform the most complicated of procedures. Also since it is so strong, the amount of radiation dose is greatly lessened. Very special diagnostic procedures such as angiograrns are now possible.

Lorma’s nursery staff is on duty 24 hours a day. This department is also divided. Into a main nursery, a premature nursery, a suspect nursery, and a nursery for boarders. It has several modem electric incubators for premature babies. There is a separate air-conditioned delivery room attached to the OR department.

The laboratory has 5. ful1-time medical technologists and facilities for routine and special examinations for blood, urine, stool and other specimens including some highly sophisticated examinations that are not commonly available. In June 1980, Lorma established the first pathology department in the Ilocos Region. Now histopath specimens can be examined immediately without the need to send them to Manila. The pathologist, who visits the hospital, consults with the patient's doctor to discuss difficult cases. Also, for the first time in the area, PAP smear exams can be done on site to detect cervical cancer in women…. Another major equipment acquired by the laboratory department is a blood gas analyzer. This is useful in the treatment of serious patients, and is unique in Northern Luzon. The hospital also does a complete line of test for cancer, thyroid disorders and other specialty exams not usually found in other hospitals.

Another new piece of equipment at Lorma is the ULTRASOUND Radiology SCANNING MACHINE. This unit is employed in diagnostic tests of the upper abdomen, the heart and obstetric and gynecological cases. This unit is the only one in the area fully capable of doing highly professional. Echo-.cardiography exams,. including color studies. The hospital operates an EEG unit This is used to diagnose injuries or other impairments to the brain. It is one of the few units outside of Manila. The hospital recently acquired a GASTROINTESTINAL .FIBERS.COPE (GASTROSCOPE) the newest fiber-optic instrument for the diagnosis and treatment of most diseases of the esophagus, stomach and small Intestine for in and out-patients. The only unit available in the province and in the Ilocos.

The hospital's INTENSIVE CARE/CORONARY CARE UNITS were brought on line several years ago. It has the most modem, up-to-date treatment facilities for patients suffering from heart and other serious illnesses. It contains modem equipment such as a piped-in oxygen supply to assure a continuous flow of pure oxygen, piped-in automatic suction units with regulators, heart monitors, emergency crash cart and doctor call system to meet respiratory and cardiac emergencies, a volume ventilator, a defibrillator, 3 respirators, and a thermal draining unit. Highly skilled and specially trained nurses are assigned at a central station, with a view to all beds, are there to assist in the needs of the patients. Recently installed is the HTS 220 Central Station/Portable Telemetry Monitor -the most modern unit in evaluating critically-ill patients.

Fully air-conditioned with a sound-proof environment, the lCU composed of a - 2-bed cardiac ward, 2 private rooms, an ICU ward and 3 recovery room beds. All beds are the intensive-care type, each of which can be placed in 12 different positions depending upon the patient's medical requirement. Since patients in this area require more rest and quiet atmosphere, only one watcher is allowed for ward patients and two for private rooms at the same time, and visiting hours have to be strictly followed, which are 10- 11 :30 a.m. and 3 -5 p.m.

A modern Computerized Tomography machine is located in the hospital. It produces excellent images of the brain and other internal organs. It is very usefully to the medical staff for diagnostic purposes. Patients come from areas as far away as Laoag and Baguio.

The hospital's OPD SURGICAL UNIT was opened a few years ago to provide a less expensive, faster, and more convenient way to have minor surgeries. The unit is air-conditioned and is fully equipped for such procedures.

Other hospital facilities include a pharmacy, business office, an out-patient department which provides a television set which we either show films or regular TV program for patients and their companions while waiting for their turn, separate emergency room, patient companions' kitchen, hospital chapel, dietary department, library and medical records department, a maintenance and transportation department, physical therapy, Chaplaincy and Patient Relations.

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The new building annex houses an emergency room that is 3 times the current size, 17 new doctor’s offices, 15 additional private rooms, a new elevator, additional parking and a heliport.

(text by Hans, a German national)

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Foreigners from different countries gather for a "hash" event in La Union
http://www.sflu.com/luh3/index.html

The Philippines is a country with some 7100+ islands and islets - with hundreds of totally different provinces - from very remote and nature, wilderness and jungle surrounded to high life cities with 24 hrs of full activities and hot life going on year round - you find all - mountains and mountain regions with up to 2900 meter above sea level - high altitude cities - such as Baguio City approximately 1600 meters above sea level - to remote beaches where you may be the only person within sight - all is available. Jungle or city - nature or high tech - and in some areas even an exotic blend of all above within just a few dozen kilometers.

La Union is one of many such living areas with thousands of foreigners from many European countries, Australia and USA / Canada. The reasons are obvious. Housing directly on the beach for below 200 US $ a months, all infrastructure you need for a happy life, including

• communication by cell phone, land line phone, Internet, mail, bus, and car
• recreational activities such as bowling, tennis, billiard, dancing, videoke ( karaoke + video ), surfing, limited sailing and windsurfing, as well as other activities are very affordable and regularly offered to all
• many hundreds of foreigners from many countries within a few kms around you to instantly get in touch and exchange information as well as to have new friends
• many resort hotels offering special rates for monthly or longer - even permanent residents to give you an instant home away from home at a rate you easily can afford at least during the first many weeks or months - may be even on a permanent basis - but at least while you are looking for a permanent home or housing and getting settled down. Such fares may vary from resort to resort but start at about US $ 200 per month - in some resorts even including a kitchen. The upper limit of monthly rates - including kitchen - inside well maintained resort hotels is in the range of US $ 600 per month seldom higher

Hence you select for your initial stay a location within the country - within the Philippines - that allows you to gather additional information easily, to meet other foreigners and exchange information and learn from other's experiences. A location that allows you to have easy access in any whether condition to airport and national / international transportations, authorities and needed resources to settle down.

The region of Bauang to San Fernando La Union is one such ideal area to accommodate foreigners for an initial visit. It offers all the logistic to travel and access all parts of the country easily - while offering sufficient large number of accommodation free year round even without any advance reservation. In addition you find many foreigners already settled down here - since years or decades - because some of them found THIS to be their best place in country.

Your first home should allow you easy access to many other people - foreigners and local nationals to gather information and get a clear picture of what to expect and how the real daily life conditions will be for you. Hence it best be a resort hotel that has local and foreign guests and is a meeting point for resident foreigners as well.

Being and feeling welcome and taken care of, as well meeting year round many visitors, local guests and many foreigners coming since years for weeks or many months at a time - again and again - as well as meeting some of the foreigners living here in this area is very easy at Beach Resorts between Bauang and San Fernando La Union - Philippines. With many other places within walking distance and dozens of houses for rent all in easy walking distance or within a few minutes by local public transportation along the high way from Bauang to La Union. Some 10 km of beach from Bauang to San Fernando La Union give you plenty of beach and water to enjoy - for a walk, swim day and night or other wet pleasures!

After your initial visit - with some easy trips country side to some of the beautiful islands - you then may be able to make up your mind - select your place - rest another few months there as a guest and if you love that place - settle down. Keep in mind - when retiring from your work and enjoying your pension - there is no need to hurry, you start a new chapter of your life, a new content of life, new environment and new goal with new friends. Take your time, enjoy your well earned freedom and learn to be happy.

By Renee F. De Guzman

San Fernando City, La Union -- It gives hope to the people that things will get better as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and most local government executives in the provinces remain focused in the development programs of the government even as the political pot continue to boil because of destabilization threats and moves for Charter Change.

In La Union and the rest of the Ilocos region, its business as usual. The stakeholders and businessmen are buoyed by the continued registration of positive growth in the regional and provincial economy since the last quarter of 2005 to present.

Based on the DTI-La Union Provincial Office report, investments in La Union increased considerably by 25.2 % last year compared to investment recorded in 2004. This was due to the effective business matching activities done by the province specially through trade fairs and other marketing endeavors. Likewise, business registration, either sole proprietorship or corporation contributed largely to the increase in investment.

On the other hand, exports increased by 1.97% and tobacco leads in generating export for the province followed by the fashion accessories.

As a result of the increase in investment, employment grew by 8.18%. New establishments greatly contributed to this increase.

Recently, the City of San Fernando, the Capital of La Union was cited by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center as among the 20 Philippine cities most viable for business.

Meanwhile, Governor Victor F. Ortega aggressively continue to pursue innovative and up-to-date programs and projects under his Provincial Master Plan called HEALTH PLUS which is anchored with the development agenda of President Arroyo dubbed as BEAT THE ODDS.

The province’s economy is dominated by agriculture. Due to continuous and aggressive implementation of strategic interventions to improve farm productivity and the income of farmers, La Union, for the first time in its history enjoyed last year a little more than 140 percent self-sufficiency in rice.

Agriculture and tourism development remain the top priority programs of the province this year with health services and small scale industries receiving similar attention.

According to Amelia Sotelo, provincial agriculturist, the provincial government has embarked in a hybrid seed subsidy for which more than P1 million has been set aside for the purchase of 1,000 bags of hybrid seeds for distribution to selected farmers. Rice production is expected to increase by 20 percent, she said.

The coastal towns of San Juan and Bacnotan are being promoted as a prime surfing paradise in the North and businessmen are invited to put up businesses in the area.

According to Governor Ortega, the Provincial Government has taken over recently the building of the tourism complex owned by the Philippine Tourism Authority at Saitan, Rosario town.

He said, that at least P40 million has been earmarked for the development of the area and the rehabilitation of the building that will be converted into a display center for the La Union wood furniture products and furnishings to showcase the One Town One Product (OTOP) project of PGMA. A one-stop-shop investment and tourism center for all travelers will be put up in the building.

The casino which is part of the 68 hectare commercial and tourism complex in Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone in San Fernando City (is now open to the public.)

More tourists and businessmen are expected to come to the province with the (resumption) of commercial flights at the San Fernando City Airport this year.

La Union remains the most peaceful province in Region I if not nationwide. The people continue to uphold the spirit of unity and teamwork as they keep on contributing to the peace and progress of the province and the country. (PIA La Union)

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TUCKED AWAY ON THE NORTHWEST COAST OF LUZON ISLAND IN THE PHILIPPINES, EL CASERON IN CABA LA UNION IS A PREMIERE GETAWAY DESTINATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

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Besides relaxing on the beach or lounging by the pool, indulge with the endless amenities, including: large family-sized airconditioned accommodations -- each with private bath, seaside cottages, poolside bungaloes, famous restaurant (and room service), full wet bar, beach volleyball, various watersports, massages by the sea, ping-pong, billiards, board games, mah-jong, darts, international cable television, and of course, the always popular sunset carabao rides along the beach. ALL THIS, with a cheerful staff always ready to serve every holiday need.

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EL CASERON Beach Resort truly is the place where everything is possible.

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In addition, enjoy the area around EL CASERON's La Union with the full-day or overnight excursions: You are just minutes away from a world-class American golf course; only one hour away from the luscious mountain resort of Baguio; and The Hundred Islands (one of the Wonders of the World) is just a two-hour yet scenic coastal drive from EL CASERON. The day tours can also take you to world-famous Philippine arts and crafts shops, major shopping districts, full-service bowling alleys, the Philippine's finest surfing destinations, and a host of other exciting outings to make your visit to the Philippines a truly memorable experience.

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Agoo map
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Agoo Museum/Museo Iloko
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La Union Map showing 5 cities San Fernando City, Dagupan City (Pangasinan), Baguio City (Benguet), Candon City and Vigan City (Ilocos Sur)

From youtube.com by agmolo00 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1QEu5kTIr0)
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=agmolo00

j1QEu5kTIr0

Are there any malls/shopping centers in La Union?

Are there any malls/shopping centers in La Union?
Yes, the big one is the CSI Mall (you can find CSI photos 1 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9045319&postcount=2) and photos 2 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9187564&postcount=70) in this thread), other shopping centers are Eso-Nice Galleria, John-John's Group of Shops, Mart One SuperMart, Yabes South and North Paseo, National Bazaar and smaller ones located around the city. :)

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Eso-Nice Galleria is one of the established shopping centers located right in the heart of San Fernando City. It houses a cinema, a bank, ChowKing fastfood, an internet cafe, computer shops, appliance shops, beauty parlors, cellphone shops, fashion and accessories boutiques, offices and other service stores.

Location: Mountain Barangay of Cadaclan, San Fernando City

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http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9084211&postcount=23

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DENGUE is one of the most dynamic and dangerous diseases in the country especially during the rainy season. This disease comes from a deadly virus carried by female mosquitoes known as Aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus.

The City of San Fernando, in its continuous effort to protect the health of its residents constantly promotes programs and projects that fight the dengue epidemic. A specialized Obi larva trap is used by the City Health Office to catch mosquitoes and prevent them from spreading the virus. This trap is made up of a tin-can, small plywood where the mosquito tends to land and lay eggs, and a screen that covers the container and traps the potential dengue carrier mosquitoes. This trap which is patterned from Singapore is designed and prepared by the sanitation inspectors of the City and is distributed to barangays where high dengue cases are reported. The initiative is motivated by a Singapore-WHO Health Forum in 2001 regarding the ‘Environmental Dimensions and Policies for Dengue Prevention and Control’ attended by the City Health Officer, Dr. Eduardo S. Posadas.

“The obi trap and also the annual fogging operation of the City in the different barangays have contributed to the decrease of the dengue cases from the year 2000 to 2005”, Posadas said. As of this June, there has only been 26 dengue cases reported compared to the 257 cases in 2005.

The Obi larva trap, an innovation that could be pioneered by the City of San Fernando could be replicated in other LGUs to stop and prevent the epidemic.

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Brief History of the City of San Fernando

The City of San Fernando is the first city created in the province of La Union by virtue of Republic Act 8509, sponsored by the Congressman Victor F. Ortega in the House of Representatives, signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 13, 1998 and was ratified by a plebiscite on March 20, 1998.

The City of San Fernando is situated in the mountainous area at almost the mid-section of La Union along the China Sea. It was founded in 1786 and made the “cabecera” or provincial capital on the same day that La Union became province in 1850.

During the Spanish times, a settlement was a place where there were about 200 families. Around this area, there were two settlements, San Vicente de Balanac and San Guillermo de Dalangdang, San Vicente de Balanac was along the coast and during summer, when the sea was calm and perfect for sailing, pirates would come and plunder the settlement, taking along with them the women and children leaving behind them a trail of blood. San Guillermo de Dalangdang, however, was at the foothills of the Cordillera mountains, and during summer, when the fire trees were in bloom, the populace was attacked by headhunters who saw in the red flowers of fire trees, a sign of the gods asking for human offerings.

In 1759, an Augustinian priest, Father Jose Torres, convinced the two settlements to come together to a place not so near the sea and not so near the mountains so they will not be plagued by their annual problems. They chose the area called Pindangan, meaning, a place where they dry fish and in this place, they built in a church with San Guillermo the Hermit as the patron saint. In 1765, the newly assigned priest, however, suggested to the inhabitants that they change the name of Pindangan to San Fernando, after the Catholic King of Spain, retaining San Guillermo as their patron saint. The name of the parish priest was Father Fernando Rey, Rey being the Spanish word for King. This was also the time of Diego Silang, and as we know, Silang would travel to and from Manila on his white horse and was killed on May 28, 1763. When an earthquake destroyed the church at Pindangan, renamed San Fernando, the parish priest decided not to rebuild in the same place because during the rainy season, the church was transferred until it found its present place, and it is now called the Cathedral of St. William the Hermit, of the Diocese of San Fernando, La Union.

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On May 1786, the Ministerio de San Fernando was established. However, due to lack of priests during the period 1792 to 1831, San Fernando became a “visita” of Bauang and San Juan. In 1831, Father Juan Sorolla, the parish priest of Bauang in 1829, was assigned in San Fernando.

According to historical records, the construction of the present church started in 1817 by Father Simon Torrado with Father Sorolla as its first parish priest.

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San Fernando has grown slowly from the time it was founded. This slow growth maybe attributed to the fact that travels during those days was long and tedious. Sectionalism was rampant because education was not widely diffused. Intermingling of the people was limited to neighboring towns. Only the well-to-do and the powerful obtained their education and this too, was limited as it was then the policy of the Spaniards to deny education to the masses. In spite of this backward policy, the people improved economically, educationally and spiritually. An offshoot of this improvement was the revolt of the people against the Spaniards which assumed in greater proportions when the Spaniards became abusive. Although the people were subservient to the ruling power, there were fateful prohibitions that cut deep into the private life of the people which found outlet in the form of uprisings and occasional revolts to give vent to their pent-up emotions. The climax came in 1896 when the country was swept by a widespread revolt. In 1898, the Spanish garrison in San Fernando was attacked by Filipino insurgents under the leadership of General Manuel Tinio and Mauro Ortiz. In the end, the Filipinos prevailed over the Spaniards.

Then the Americans came. Spain fell in ruins, victims of her own greed and ambition. San Fernando experienced naval bombardment of the Americans as well as actual fighting on land when General Gregorio del Pilar commanded the rearguard of General Emilio Aguinaldo to cover the latter’s retreat. In a short while, Aguinaldo and his officers and soldiers were captured by the Americans. Peace and order were restored. A democratic form of government took the place of that once proud despotic government of Spain. The people of San Fernando took advantage of all the Americans could teach politically and economically. San Fernando progressed with the rest of the towns in the province.

In 1941, the Japanese came. Japanese planes bombed San Fernando. The guerillas of the 21st Infantry became active and engaged a do or die battle against the Japanese Imperial Forces. A bloody fighting took place in Barrio Bacsil until the town was liberated in 1945.

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The destruction of property in San Fernando was appalling. Only few houses remained standing in what was once a thriving town of beautiful houses. Thus, from the nibbles of war, San Fernando rose until it became the administrative capital of Region I.

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In May 14, 1996, the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando passed Resolution No. 20 requesting the House of Representatives, Congress of the Philippines for the conversion of the Municipality of San Fernando into a Component City. That time, the municipality of San Fernando had satisfactorily met the basic requirements for its conversion into Cityhood pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code 1991. In a certification issued by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, the average annual income of San Fernando for calendar years 1994, and 1995 based on 1991 constant prices was P 44,351,821.66. Further, in a certification by the Land Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the land area of San Fernando is 10,526 hectares, well above the minimum requirement of 10,000 hectares.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union, after a comprehensive study and judicious evaluation of the petition of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando, adopted Resolution No. 425-96 endorsing its cityhood bid to the House of Representatives, Congress of the Philippines.

Upon the sponsorship of the Congressman Victor F. Ortega (1st District- La Union) at the House of Representatives, House Bill 7594 (Act Converting the Municipality of San Fernando, La Union into a Component City to be known as City of San Fernando) was approved.

The petition was likewise approved at the Upper House through the sponsorship of Senators Vicente Sotto III and Juan Flavier. On February 13, 1998, Republic Act 8509 was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos and finally on March 20, 1998, the residents of San Fernando manifested their resounding YES in the Plebiscite that ratified said law, thus, the fulfillment of the dream for San Fernando to become a city.

Located some 8 kilometers from the city proper, on a forest mountain is nestled the La Union Botanical Garden (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9255768&postcount=96) – a green spot on the map that is probably the only one of its kind in the country. The 10 hectare garden located at Barngay Cadaclan is a display of varied species of living plants and a sanctuary of varieties of wild animals. Clean and green are the bywords of the garden which provide the visitors maximum satisfaction and a healthful promenade.

The City of San Fernando is now the seat of national government agencies in Region I and center of trade, commerce, financial and educational institutions, among others. From a deep rooted potential of stable community governance to the best gift of Mother Nature- a seaport community governance to the best gift of Mother Nature- a seaport responsive to international shipping, an airport with viable capacity to accommodate international air traffic, natural terrain conducive to tourism development and a people endowed with cultural and virtuous heritage of industry, spirituality, nationalism and aspiration for growth, peace and prosperity, the City of San Fernando has emerged as the booming Metropolis of the North.

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Las Villas Resort

The PNP will build a world class Police Station to relocate the City Police main headquarters in a 1,000 square-meter-city lot at Barangay Tanqui in San Fernando City.

Director General Arturo Lomibao, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with Governor Victor F. Ortega and City Officials led the ground-breaking ceremony at the site on October 8, 2005. Lomibao was a two-time provincial director of La Union and Ilocos Regional Director before he became PNP chief.

Lomibao said that P10-million has been allocated to build the new world class police station, P7-million comes from the PNP fund and P3-million is shouldered by the countrywide development fund of Cong. Manuel ‘Manoling' C. Ortega.

The proposed site, a lot donated by the city, was originally planned as a parking and north terminal area of public utility vehicles. Mayor Ortega has said they would still allocate another 200 square meters across the said lot for parking area.

During the ground breaking, Lomibao gave recognition to police personnel and organizations that were instrumental in the maintenance of peace and order in the province.

The controversial MARCOS BUST (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9266310&postcount=103) in Pugo, La Union (posted by Jadebench)

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The upland municipality of Bagulin offers trails and sites for trekking. Its terrain is predominantli hilly and mountanous with second growth forests and transversed by the winding Bagulin -Naguilan river. One passes through geological formations, scenic spots and some areas which are being threatened by environmental degradaton. Trekking time starts in October. Other sites recomemended for trekking activities are the Bebeco, Condura and Dacanay and reforestation in Sto. Tomas, Rosario and Pugo respectively.

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Bauang is a 1st class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. It is bordered by San Fernando City to the north, Caba to the south, Naguilian to the east, and the South China Sea to the west. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 63,373 people in 12,298 households.

McArthur Highway runs through this town junctioning with Naguilian Road, one of the mountain roads into Baguio City.

Origin

There are three (3) versions on how Bauang was named. First, the name came from the word “bua”, which in English mean beetlenut. Beetlenuts grew in abundance at the town site, now Barangay Nagrebcan where an old Spanish Church was built. Second, its name arose from the word “baoang” (garlic). The Spanish colonizers changed the letter “o” into “u”;, thus its present name “Bauang”. Third, it came from the word “buang”, which means “river split in two” before flowing to the sea. As it is, the Bauang River is split into two by a delta.

History

Bauang was established as a settlement in 1590. It was recognized as a town in 1765 as a part of Pangasinan when Don Francisco de los Reyes became the first gobernadorcillo. When La Union was created in 1850, Bauang was one of the twelve towns that formed the new province.

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Before Boracay and Puerto Galera become household names , Bauang earned the appellation as the “Beach Capital of the Philippines” because of its calm waters, fine sand, and languidly swaying coconut trees along the shoreline of of Baccuit Sur to Pagdalagan Sur. Bauang is now famous for its delicious guapples and grapes.

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La Union eyes ‘Guinness’
By Thom F. Picana and Eusebio Aguinaldo, Northern Luzon Bureau
Manila Times (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/mar/03/yehey/prov/20060303pro5.html)
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BAUANG, La Union: This coastal town of known for its pristine beaches and resorts will try to register the world’s longest bico (sweetened glutinous rice) in the Guinness Book of World Records during the celebration of Baggak Festival on April 23, 2006.

Bico or inkiwar in Ilocano consists of glutinous rice, coconut milk and brown sugar cooked in a vat with charcoal or firewood.

Joel Macanaya, event promoter, said more than 500 meters of the streets around the town plaza will be filled with tables of bico that will be served to residents, visitors and balikbayan.

The organizing committee of Baggak (morning star) has invited representatives from Guinness to witness the event and evaluate if it could set a world record.

Mayor Martin de Guzman of Bauang said the Baggak Festival and the Balik-Bauang project will be the biggest gathering of the townsfolk.

“It will be a grand homecoming and an all-out promotion of our town as a viable investment site, an exciting tourist destination, and an attractive residential option. Above all, it will be an extended celebration of the most resounding kind. We will celebrate the beauty of our hometown, our identity and unity as true Bauangenians,” he said.

Various events have been lined up for the weeklong celebration, which will include street dancing, sports competition, a beauty pageant and cultural presentations.

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Eufrosina Heights Location Map

Eufrosina Heights is the newest subdivision in the botanical city of the north. Developed by the Eso-Nice Realty Corporation, This 10.3 hectare land is situated 7 minutes away from the central business and commercial district of the capital city of La Union . Envisioned as an economic and affordable subdivision, it has all the amenities and benefits that a growing family would ever need.

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This 10.3 hectare subdivision is divided into several phases. The first phase is now available for viewing. Pre-selling of the limited lots is currently on-going. The first phase has 118 lots available, each ranging in size from 90 to 200 square meters, each easily accessible through the 6-10 meter wide roads.

Each lot is affordable, costing as low as P2,250 per square meter, depending on the location of the lot. Every effort has been made to make the lots more affordable and cost effective. It is possible for policemen, teachers, overseas workers, or anyone who is looking for an safe and affordable home to own a parcel of land within Eufrosina Heights .

Eufrosina Heights website (http://www.eufrosinaheights.com/index.html#)

A World-class subdivision in La Union
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Mont Blanc Manor
...the first ever high-end subdivision in La Union. Located in the majestic hills at Sta. Ana, Agoo.

TREASURED MOMENTS.. BEST SHARED AT HOME!

Bienvana â Mont Blanc Manor!

Unfold the panorama of life while at the peak of MONT BLANC MANOR.

The first ever world class residential estate in La Union, where elegance and sophistication are within reach.

A French inspired community, blends with the beauty of nature and sea breeze to offer a wonderful experience.

SUBDIVISION FEATURES:
- Landscaped Entrance Gate with Guardhouse
- Concrete Curbs and Gutters
- Underground Drainage System
- Electrical Facilities
- 13 Meter-Wide Concrete Main Road
- Centralized Water System
- Clubhouse
- Basketball Court
- Tennis Court
- Leisure Garden
- Swimming Pool
- Perimeter Fence


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Main Entrance Gate
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Clubhouse
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contact developer:
www.jamaica-realty.com

^^jadebench, construction activities of mont blanc manor are still on going. Though the contractor has completed the main entrance gate as shown above. I hope more of this kind of development will sprout in La Union to accommodate housing needs of the ever growing population. Thanks for posting!! :)

SHIPSIDE, INCORPORATED was organized in 1958 for the following purposes:
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- To engage in handling bulk materials, products and supplies capable of being efficiently and expeditiously handled by any type of loading and unloading equipment or by other suitable means;
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- To maintain and operate terminal facilities, terminal warehousing, terminal ways, terminal stations and stores and terminal factory and show room facilities, including power, light, heat and machinery;
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- To engage in the operation, repair servicing, maintenance and overhauling of trucks, heavy equipment and all types of motor vehicles;
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- To engage in a general lumber business, to buy, cut, haul, sell and deal in timber logs; and to operate sawmills, mini-sawmills, re-saws and other types of manufacturing plants for the manufacture of all kinds of lumber and articles of all types in the manufacture of which lumber or timber is used;
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- To engage in the business of manufacturing hollow blocks, concrete or cement products for construction and other purposes; to engage in the manufacturing of wooden cases, container boards and crates for the packing of commodities;
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- To engage in the business of exploration, development, processing and marketing of minerals that may be found anywhere in the Philippines either by original acquisition, joint venture of operating agreements with the other holders of existing mining rights;
- To engage in the business of operating a restaurant/resort;
- To engage in such other ventures and endeavors as may be proper and in keeping with the nature of the business of the company; and
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- To do any acts and things relating thereto or connected there with, all to extent permitted by the laws of the Philippines.
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SHIPSIDE, INCORPORATED is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LEPANTO CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY, incorporated in November, 1958. It is a service-oriented establishment located within the Port Area, City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines.

ADDRESS:

Principal Office:
Pennsylvania Avenue
Poro Point,
City of San Fernando
2500 La Union, Philippines
Tel. Nos. : +(6372) 888 - 3411 to 14
: +(6372) 700 - 049 to 50
Fax No. : +(6372) 888 - 2369
E-mail : ssi_sflu@digitelone.com

Manila Office
20th Floor, BA - Lepanto Building
Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, Philippines
Tel No. : +(6372) - 815 - 9447
Fax No.: +(6372) - 812 - 0451

Sawmill Plant
Barangay Pugo
Bauang, La Union, Philippines
Tel. No.: +(6372) 705 - 1844

Sea Park Beach Resort and Restaurant (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9049207&postcount=8)
Shipside Housing Area
Bgy. San Francisco
City of San Fernando
2500 La Union, Philippines
Tel. No.: +(6372) 700 - 0281

Shipside Inc. Website (http://www.shipsideinc.com/index.html)

by: William Jun Garcia

San Fernando City Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega learned the positive effects of computer interaction and communication through experience, particularly between leaders and their constituents as she encouraged children in the city early computer literacy.

Mayor Ortega, who was invited to the 5th Information Communication Technology (ICT) Conference of Asia –Pacific in Tokyo, Japan last month, will help provide 200 more computers for elementary school children this year.

“I do not want our children to be left out in global competitiveness,” the Mayor said on the radio program.

At the start of her administration in 1998, the City Hall has only 10 computers used by its personnel, mostly of the Apple type, considered “Jurassic age computers” today, according to the Mayor.

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http://www.sanfernandocity.gov.ph/archive/free_computers.html

She added that at present, over 200 computers are being used in different departments. Two hundred-eighty computers, donated by Ansan, South Korea, were recently distributed to different schools, non-government organizations and city government line agencies, through the city government.

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"Now the City hall uses Pentium 3 and 4 computers, including several laptops,” Mayor Ortega said, lauding how quick city government personnel have flexed their skills on computer operation and communication.

She also expressed surprise when she learned that the San Fernando City government web page is often visited by net surfers both here and abroad. “Our news is up-to-date unlike other web sites.”

The mayor also revealed that the transaction used in the bidding on the construction of the engineered sanitary landfill was made through a computer communication and through her e-mail address, she has received letters from students seeking her help on their schools homework; application of marriage certificates; compliments from a Hongkong journalist and a foreign businessman in Makati City to complaints of theft, to cite only a few examples.

“I didn’t know that all of these (we do) are appreciated; I thought that to reply them (e-mail senders) is enough but out in the international field, these are the types of interaction that they are forward to,” the mayor said, adding that she is hoping that there is a continuing ICT program in the city to help transform society into better communicators, which is the key to community and universal unity.

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Administrative Subdivision
No. of Congressional Districts : 2
No. of Municipalities : District I: 8
: District II: 11
No. of Cities : 1
No. of Coastal Municipalities : 12

Land Resources, Uses and Sizes
Total Land Area : 149,309 hectares
Cropland (Irrigated) : 21,950 hectares
Cropland (Rain-fed) : 16,073 hectares
Forest Area : 12,669 hectares
Built-Up Areas : 9,146 hectares
Miscellaneous Areas : 2,468 hectares

Water Resources
Freshwater : 1,163 hectares
Brackishwater : 286 hectares
Marine Water Shoreline Length : 110 kilometers

Climate and Rainfall
Average Monthly Rainfall : 194.56 millimeters
Mean Temperature : 27.06 o C

Demography
Total Population (2000) : 657,945
No. of Households (2000) : 127,579
Average Household Size : 5.15

By William Jun Garcia

San Fernando City, La Union—A city must know its ecological limitations and carrying capacity in terms of environmental factors and even development, Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, said here recently.

Mayor Ortega has been currently admitted to the executive committee of the International Council of Local Environmental Initiative (ICLEI), in Cape Town, South Africa, to represent Southeast Asia among 10 regions all over the world. Accompanied by city administrator Annjanette Dimaculangan, the conference focused on the continuing study on the effects of disaster due to climate change on our ecosystem.

The Mayor explained that through strict and careful analyses and eventual application, the need to know when a city is over-populated, is necessary or when a need to regulate vehicles plying around the city to offset the effect of pollution in the air.

Knowing the ecological footprints (carrying capacity) and enforcing ecological budgeting, the Mayor added, would improve the quality of life “but all should be measured.”

She cited the case of a river in Seoul, South Korea which was developed into a highway, that eventually became an everyday 5.2 kilometer-road –traffic jam showcase for its duration and contributed intense thermal heat in the surroundings with carbon monoxide emissions.

“Red was seen on a thermal satellite map but when the river was finally reactivated, green was all over again and the surroundings cooler,” the Mayor explained. “Progress must not be at the expense of the environment.”

Pollution decreased to 10% in the city based on the latest Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) air analysis, which, she said is not very significant but can still be seen as a sign of improvement since the City Government enjoined 1, 145 tricycle engines’ conversion into four-strokes from two-strokes, two years ago.

Meanwhile Mayor Ortega has been informed by a City Environment and Natural Resources Office analysis that a sunken canyon between Barangays Apaleng and Cadaclan happens to be a “big earthquake fault.” Luckily, the Mayor said, the site is unpopulated.

“Ï asked DENR what particular places to avoid so that residents can de advised and told to build or not to build their houses, I don’t want to sow panic,” Mayor Ortega said. “Like the 1990 earthquake, we were spared because it (fault effect) stopped at the boundary of Bauang and San Fernando and it went to the sea,”

The Mayor said that if the population is prepared and informed of the effects and consequences of such disasters then there is less panic and casualties.

ergit222, I think..change the title of this thread to LA Union: Gateway to the Great Ilocano Heritage or anything...dont focus on San fernando only...

About The City

San Fernando City is the capital for the entire Region I, also known as the Ilocos Region. It has been called the gateway and springboard of economic progress in the North because it acts as the center of trade/commerce, finance, health and education. The whole area itself boasts of various cultural tourism wonders.


Efforts for A More Breathable Environment

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Mayor Jane Ortega initiated the phasing out of over 1,200 two-stroke tricycles, once she learned that they were a major source of air pollution because of the type of oil they burned. She also cited health concerns to the drivers. The city government also offered incentives for the upgrade or complete change of motorcycles by offering loans for the drivers to upgrade their units, some more than 30 years old, to the preferred 4- stroke engines. She offered two months moratorium, ten months to pay through equal monthly installments without interest and with a free driver’s uniform in the near future to protect them from the sun. After the first year the 25-30 year old two stroke cycles were phased out. This was based on the positive response of the drivers who seemed happy with the policy so much so that even those who were not required to change their tricycles opted to have new ones. The city government also came up with the proposal for a new terminal.

She proudly cited the Asian Institute of Management in its recent studies in competitive cites “Pinoy City on the Rise” in which San Fernando City came in number one in the quality of life concern for the environment. She stressed that being number two in the “Sector of Small Cities” for a better quality of life requires a good environmental policy.

ergit222, I think..change the title of this thread to LA Union: Gateway to the Great Ilocano Heritage or anything...dont focus on San fernando only...
^^jadebench, that's a good suggestion, I've been scouring datas about other LU towns but unfortunately I can't find good infos to post. SFC has a lot of that. If you could also help me search some good news, superb images of other beautiful LU towns like Agoo, that would be great.

The initial goal of this thread is to promote SFC since the city recently ranked high in the AIM survey and some SSC forumers had been requesting for its thread. After a while, this thread needed to expand further to other LU towns with the same goal.

Just keep on posting and you could probably concentrate news development and images of other beautiful LU towns. Thanks again! :)

if Im in La Union right now..I will get some photos and post it here...especially, some churches and beaches...

ergit222, you may post some of the developments here of Mont Blanc...you said that they completed the gate...I want to see the developments..thank you!!!

dont forget the Damortis-Agoo National Seashore Park (Im not sure of the name)..in my 10 years of living there...I havent seen this one...

and also the newly renovated Imelda Garden...cause the pics i posted here was taken 1980s...

During the opening of Jolibee-Agoo

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Old Filipino house look of Jolibee Agoo, preserving Spanish style structures in Agoo cause the town is once an 'ayuntamiento' during the Spanish era.
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San Fernando had signed sisterhood agreement with Ansan City in South Korea, Langley in Canada, Hezhou City of China, Kashiwara in Japan and Coatzocoalcos, Vera Cruz in Mexico

Ansan City of South Korea (http://www.iansan.net/english/m02_intro01.html)
Langley City BC, Canada (http://www.city.langley.bc.ca/)
Hezhou City China (http://www.gxtravel.com/ReadArt.asp?Art_ID=378)
Kashiwara City, Japan (http://www.city.kashiwara.osaka.jp/jichisuishin/english/toppage.htm)
Coatzocoalcos, Vera Cruz, Mexico (http://148.235.146.228/coatza)

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(Story of a rural bank that started half a century ago)

from Philipine Daily Inquirer Volume 21 no. 170 May 29, 2006
Business Monday page B2-2 by Peter La. Julian PDI Northern Luzon Bureau

San Fernando City- “DO NOT gamble. If a client sees you on the gambling table, he will always think you are gambling with his deposits.”

The advice still rings true in the mind of Ives Nisce, president and chief executive officer of Rang-ay Bank. It was given to him by his late father, Rodolfo, long before the scion took over the helm of Ilocandia’s most successful rural bank.

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Ives Nisce

The young Nisce, a 1973 economics graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University, obeyed his father and stayed away from gambling, developing instead a liking for sports like golf which he plays with friends at a golf course in the former Wallace Air Station here.

In the fairways, ideas come to him on how to run a bank efficiently and how to make it responsive to the needs of the times.

The advice also served as a guiding principle for Nisce in steering the bank: Never gamble with the client’s money by going onto ventures other than those aimed at improving the socio-economic life of the people in the countryside.

“And the fulfillment of that mission is the secret of our success in Rang-ay,” Nisce tells the INQUIRER.

“We live up to our name,” he adds. Rang-ay is the Ilocano word for progress.

To maintain its position as number one in countryside banking in the Ilocos region, Pangasinan and the Cordillera, Rang-ay, set-up in 1956, tries to be “progressive” in its ideas

With him calling the shots, Rang-ay Bank has earned the moniker, the “hard-working bank,” as it puts on longer office hours, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., without noon break; and opens on Saturdays. Most Manila-based banks open at 9 a.m., close at 3 p.m. and are closed on Saturdays.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The only gambling Rang-ay Bank was involved in was that done by its founders when they decided to put up a bank in the countryside - then considered a nonviable enterprise.

“But our pioneering incorporators were imbued with a sense of mission to serve the farmers, fisher folk, market vendors, even micro-entrepreneurs,” Nisce, now in his early 50s, says.

Rang-ay Bank’s first depositors and borrowers came from these sectors that were not considered “bankable” by financial institutions, he says.

The first branch was in the old Nisce ancestral home on Gov. Luna Street in San Fernando.

Depositors from the surrounding towns and villages would come to the bank carrying their ware in large bayong (native bags made of coconut fronds) laden with fish, vegetables and even live chicken, says Nisce, quoting his mother, Eufrosina, the bank chair.

There were only two banks in La Union at that time: Rang-ay Bank and the government-owned Philippine National Bank. But even with only one competitor, it was hard to convince people to deposit their money with Rang-ay, Nisce says.

BIRTH PAINS

Rang-ay Bank experienced the usual pains of growing up in its first year. But it has a built-in-advantage: The good name of Nisce’s family, who founded the bank. His grandfather, Antonio Querol, a native of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, was San Fernando’s first town doctor, while his grandmother, Numeriana Tavora-Querol, was a civic leader of Agoo, La Union.

Soon depositors and borrowers came marching in and increased in number. Eventually, Rang-ay Bank, which started operations on Jan. 12, 1956 with four employees, grew and was ready to expand to other areas where its services were needed.

Nisce’s father, Rodolfo, a lawyer and former member of the La Union provincial board, was Rang-ay Bank’s first general manager. He also acted as collector, inspector and appraiser.

Nisce’s mother, Eufrosina, was the teller who doubled as cashier, while Lorenzo Flores was the bookkeeper, and Melania Carmello was the secretary. The bank could not afford to hire a security guard.

LESS TRAVELED ROAD

Needless to say, what other bankers then avoided as a less traveled road (countryside banking) proved to be Rang-ay’s gold mine.

In 1962, with more depositors and borrowers, the bank moved to amore spacious building in the city.

That year, the Central Bank granted it the authority to accept demand deposits, making it one of the country’s rural banks to offer such facility.

Several years later, it was given the authority to offer other services like granting loans to small and medium entrepreneurs, farmers, especially those engaged in tobacco production.

For its operational efficiency and phenomenal growth, Rang-ay Bank would receive awards like the golden award of excellence bestowed on it by Equitable PCI Bank. On Oct. 16, 2003, the bank was cited as the most outstanding countryside financial institution in the Ilocos and the Cordillera.

For six years from 1996 to 2002, it was also cited by the Land Bank of the Philippines as the most outstanding participating financial institution of the countryside loan fund.

In 1976, Rang-ay Bank opened its first extension office at the site of the old market in this city, a walking distance away from its main office.

COMPUTERIZATION

In October of the same year, the bank, with then fresh graduate 23-year-old Ives taking over as president and manager, began computerizing its operations, the first rural bank in Northern Luzon to do so.

In 1982, a year after it inaugurated its new offices at the newly built Nisce-Querol building on Gov. Luna Street, another branch was opened in Tubao town.

In the 1990’s four more rang-ay Bank branches were opened in Baguio (1992); Dagupan (1995); Candon (1997), and Laoag (1998).

In the 200s, three more branches were put up in Agoo (2000); Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur (2003), and Vigan (2004). In July 2004, it acquired the Burgos Rural Bank of Burgos, Ilocos Sur.

This year, Rang-ay Bank, its application already approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, is set to put up branches in Bacnotan, Balaoan and Naguilian towns, all in La Union, and in La Trinidad, Benguet.

No other rural bank in the Ilocos region and the Cordillera could match the achievement of Rang-ay Bank.

“And we also proven that lending to farmers, fisher folk, the small and medium micro entrepreneurs can be a viable enterprise,” Eufrosina Nisce said in a message she gave during the bank’s 50th anniversary celebrations last January.

With its resources totaling P647 million as of 2005, Rang-ay remains the leading rural bank in the Ilocos region and Cordillera based on data of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

Since 1956, it has granted loans amounting to P7 billion to more than 100,000 borrowers in the Ilocos provinces, Pangasinan and the Cordillera. Most of these loans were granted to agriculture and SME’s.

“Our success is not measured in terms of the assets we have amassed or the profits we have gained but by how far our depositors and borrowers have grown with us,” said Nisce, echoing the pro-active philosophy and meaning of the Ilocano word rang-ay.

Among those whom the Rang-ay Bank lent to include a Tondo boy who now owns a beach resort and restaurant; a bus conductor who acquired a fleet of buses; a poverty stricken stow-away (female) who is one of the biggest dealers of seasonal fruits, frozen products and eggs in San Fernando.

“All these enterprises are in the communities we serve, creating jobs therein, and so we play a vital role in the local economy, keeping its lifeblood flowing and empowering farmers, the fisher folk and micro-entrepreneurs with their successful ventures,” says Nisce.
Rang-ay Bank website (http://www.rangaybank.com/contents/contents.html)

Philippine Star
Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Taiwan is in need of gravel and sand to sustain its vibrant economy and is looking at Northern Philippines as a source of the materials, Taiwanese businessmen said, adding that the trade can bring in $225 million in annual revenues for the country.

Taiwanese businessmen along with some Filipino officials conducted recently an ocular inspection of the abundant sources of gravel and sand in La Union, which local officials would said would be an ideal shipment point owing to its proximity and the existence of good roads to and from quarry sites.

The Taiwanese delegation, however, noted that in its present condition the seaport would not be able to handle the required volume of gravel and sand for export to Taiwan, which is estimated at about 25 million metric tons annually.

"Poro Point must be developed," said Charles Chen, one of the Taiwanese businessmen who are actively looking for sources of gravel and sand in the Philippines.

President Gloria Arroyo also recently told officials about the need to develop Poro Point to spur economic development in Northern Luzon.

Local businessmen said that, indeed, La Union and nearby provinces are excellent sources of gravel and sand that are easy to quarry. They said exportng them would be doubly benficial since such materials are currenly causing the elevation of riverbeds that contribute to flooding.

Earlier, an official of the Board of Investments (BOI) said the country stands to earn some $225 million annually from the export of gravel and sand to Taiwan after an investment promotions visit by the BOI to Taipei.

Source (http://www.bcda.gov.ph/philnews.asp?item=30519:19:08%20AM)

BCDA Press Release
BCDA Public Affairs
Saturday, July 08, 2006

Taiwan is constantly in need of gravel and sand to sustain its vibrant economy and is looking at Northern Philippines as an inexhaustible source of the materials which can bring in $225 million in annual revenues for the country, but only if there is a viable way to transport them, Taiwanese businessmen said.

An ocular inspection of the abundant sources of gravel and sand in La Union and other areas in Northern Luzon was recently conducted by a group of Taiwanese businessmen along with some Filipino officials who confirmed that, indeed, the Philippines can easily meet the gravel and sand requirements of its northern neighbor.

During the same inspection trip, the Taiwanese businessmen visited the seaport at the Poro Point Special Economic and Free Port Zone in San Fernando, La Union, which local officials said would be an ideal shipment point for gravel and sand to Taiwan owing to its proximity and the existence of good roads to and from quarry sites.

The Taiwanese delegation, however, was reportedly disappointed by the state of affairs at the seaport, noting that in its present condition, it would not be able to handle the required volume of gravel and sand for export to Taiwan, which is estimated at about 25 million metric tons annually.

“Poro Point must be developed,” said Charles Chen, one of the Taiwanese businessmen who are actively looking for sources of gravel and sand in the Philippines. “Otherwise, the Philippines, particularly Northern Luzon, would lose out on this very excellent opportunity.”

The seaport is currently operated by a private contractor, Bulk Handlers, Inc. However, an ugly dispute (http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/17/OPED2006071769461.html) with the government over the development of its lease area has left the Poro Point seaport deteriorating and without the needed expansion and improvements.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has also recently told officials about the need to develop Poro Point to spur economic development in Northern Luzon.

Local businessmen said that, indeed, La Union and nearby provinces are excellent sources of gravel and sand that are easy to quarry. They said exporting them would be doubly beneficial since such materials are currently causing the elevation of riverbeds that contribute to flooding.

Earlier, an official of the Board of Investments said the country stands to earn some $225 million annually from the export of gravel and sand to Taiwan after an investment promotions visit by the BOI to Taipei.

Source (http://www.bcda.gov.ph/philnews.asp?item=30511:29:16%20PM)

:bash: for me.....hehe

^^ Lol, you can only create the next thread when this one exceeds 500 posts. ;)

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^^ Lol, you can only create the next thread when this one exceeds 500 posts. ;)
^^Hehe. i'm embarrassed anyway thanks for the message

^^ That's fine... Anyway, why did you plan to create a new thread?

^^i just thought the limit is 120 messages only and never thought of 500 limit, that's all but anyway thanks sinjin. (delete ko na yun, kakahiya rin..hehe)

From Wikipedia
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Bacnotan is a first class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. Bacnotan is located at 120°17'E 16°42'N. It is bounded on the north by Balaoan, on the east by San Gabriel, on the south by San Juan, and on the west by the South China Sea. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 35,419 people in 7,183 households.

Ilocano is the dialect spoken. English and Filipino are the languages used in government and business while English is the medium of instruction in the schools.

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Mostly farming, fishing, tourism and portland cement manufacture. Bacnotan is the seat of the beekeeping industry in La Union. The same mining engineer who saw the limestone deposits in Dumarang (renamed Quirino) also saw deposits of coal and traces of gas. Schools in Bacnotan include the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (website (http://www.dmmmsu.edu.ph/default.htm)) and the North Provincial High School.

Geography and climate

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The western side of Bacnotan faces the South China Sea and has a long stretch of black sand beaches, indication of a large amount of magnetite. Some portions of the seashore have pebble and limestone deposits. The beaches are suitable for fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling and surfing.

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The climate is dry from November to May and wet from mid-May to October. The southwest monsoon brings an abundant rainfall experienced during the wet season. The relatively dry season is caused by the northeast monsoon passing over the Cordillera Mountain Range. Average temperature is 27.21 °C.

History

The town of Bacnotan was formally founded in 1599 as part of Ilocos Sur. In 1785, during the administration of the Governor-General Jose Basco, Bacnotan became a part of Pangasinan. When La Union was created in 1850, Bacnotan was one of the 12 towns that formed the province.

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In the past, Bacnotan was only a vast expanse of wilderness inhabited by natives with a rudimentary form of government. There was a time when it was ruled by a despotic chieftain who had absolute control over all his constituents. Disobedience to his directives meant severe flogging of the culprit. After several years under the tyrannical rule of the chieftain, the people successfully overthrew him and flogged their chieftain to death. The word "bakunutan" means "flog" in the local dialect, and become a byword among the inhabitants, hence the name of the town. During the Spanish period, the name of the town was changed from "Bakunutan" to "Bacnotan" as evidenced by the communications which are still kept intact at the National Archives in Manila.

The town's history is linked with the deeds of heroic men who fought, bled, and died for their own native land. At the turn of the century, during the Spanish-American War, Dumarang (now known as Quirino), was a scene of carnage and plunder. Quirino is now the site of the Bacnotan Consolidated Industries, Inc. (BCI) portland cement plant.

In December 1941, during World War II, the first organized resistance against the Japanese invaders that landed in the north in their advance southward to Manila was at Barrios Baroro and Bacsil.

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After the war, Bacnotan became the provisional seat of provincial government. San Fernando was then in ruins. As a consequence of this transfer, the La Union National High School was also moved to Bacnotan. When things went back to normal, the provincial government was again moved to San Fernando and the La Union National High School followed afterwards. The transfer of the provincial high school in Bacnotan resulted in the establishment of the North Provincial High School.

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In 1949, the vast mineral deposits of limestone used in portland cement production were noticed in Barrio Dumarang (now Quirino) by a mining engineer who was a municipal councilor at that time. Because of the desire to create economic activity, the municipal council invited potential investors to set up a portland cement plant. Within a year, a cement plant called Cebu Portland Cement (CEPOC), was established. On May 11, 1957, the CEPOC, a government-owned corporation, was turned over to the privately-owned Bacnotan Consolidated Industries (BCI). The BCI is the manufacturer of "Union Cement". (Now HOLCIM Philippines, Inc.)

On June 18, 1960, the La Union Agricultural School (now the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University) was established. Nestling cozily at the foot of the mountains in Barangay Sapilang, the agricultural school underwent phenomenal progress and was later named after the president's father, Don Mariano Marcos, who was executed by the Japanese in an upland region where now stands the 6 square kilometre agricultural university.

The town of Bacnotan was recently adjusted the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of Region I and as national finalist to the Gawad sa Kapaligiran Search.

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History of the Municipality of Agoo, La Union

Agoo was founded in 1578 by Juan de Salcedo when two Franciscan missionaries. Fray Juan Bautista Lucarelli and Fray Sebastian de Baeza arrived to start evangelization. It was once a part of Pangasinan. When La Union was created in 1850, Agoo was one of the twelve original towns. The town’s introduction to Christianity was signaled by the establishment of nipa and bamboo church in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. It was believed that the first settlement was situated in the present Nagrebcan. They administered their religious and political affairs until 1591 when the order retired from the province.

The two made Agoo their headquarters and center of the general campaign for the conquest of more souls in the surrounding areas. They formally erected and proclaimed Agoo as a civic unit. Agoo was named after the river along whose banks it was built, which at that time was a forest of pine-like trees locally called “agoo” or “aroo”. The town also became the center of pacification and conquest of the mountain tribes in the Cordilleras.

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It was note worthy that Agoo was founded against the rule. Fr. Felix Huerta, Franciscan historian, pointed out that the Philippines, no town was founded before 1580, only cities and villas. The reason for the exemption was not only to the number of converts but also to the compactness of the settlement, so that the problem of preaching and protecting the people speeded up the formal erection of the place into a municipality. Another reason could have been the fact that Agoo was an international port and that it was encomienda reserved for the King.

When the Augustinian left Agoo in 1591, the Dominicans took their place in 1598 as the town’s political and religious leaders. The coming of the Augustinians had to withdraw due to a conflict between their superiors and the governor-general in Manila. Because of this, there was a full in the discharge of pastoral ministry in Agoo.

In 1971, Governor Feliz Berenguer de Marquina ordered the reinstatement of the Augustinians until the secular clergy took over in 1898.

It was the Augustinians who began the education and Christianization of the people of Agoo by the establishing a primary school where Catholicism was taught. The people were also taught the art of making bricks, lime, brick-laying, stone- quarrying for the construction of churches and public buildings and bridges. “Moro-moro” and the singing of “pasyon” were also introduced to the people.

The Augustinians planned the streets, the location of public buildings the roads going to the neighboring towns.

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Foremost of their construction was the erection of a church after the transfer of the town center. It was constructed by Fr. Satornino Franco while a three layered belfry was made by Fr. Casiniro Melgosa and Fr. Aguiliano Garcia. By the end of the 15th century, the image of Nuestra Señora de Caridad (Our Lady of Charity) was installed in the church.

Agoo also had its share of tribulations during the Japanese occupation. Japanese forces burned part of Macalva and massacred 17 innocent civilians under the Prinsipe bridge. They were accused of being sympathizers of the underground movement.

The liberation of the country signaled the development of this town. Constantino Verceles became the first elected mayor after the war. Together with Representative Manuel Cases, they stirred the town’s development. Through the sponsorship of Cases, the Masalip Irrigation System was established.

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Agoo is now a picture of economic, religious, cultural and political development. The town is now an educational center in this part of the province. Agoo has one state university (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University), two national high schools (President Elpidio Quirino National High School, San Manuel National High School), one private college (Congress College), two private technical schools (PAMETS and Agoo Computer School) and four privately-owned high schools (Agoo Academy, Saint Mary’s Academy, Agoo Kiddie Special School and Agoo Montessori Learning Center) and Eighteen Public Elementary Schools. This was further boosted by the establishment of day care centers in almost all barangays.

On the economic side, the municipality was elevated from third to a second class status.

One of the illustrious sons of this town is the late Jose D. Aspiras who was elected to the Philippine Congress in 1969. He also served as Minister of Tourism and Information Secretary during the time of President Marcos. Before he died in November 14, 1999, Aspiras was resident representative and managing director, with the rank of ambassador of the Manila Economic Cultural based in Taiwan.

The 16th century Agoo Parish Church, restored and refurbished (spearheaded by the late Minister Jose Aspiras) has been elevated to the rank of Basilica Minore by Pope John Paul II in 1981, one of the very few in the country today.

^^^PAMETS is now PCLU/Polytechnic College of La Union...

i used to study in SFLU before...huh, i miss the city!

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History of the Municipality of Agoo, La Union

Agoo was founded in 1578 by Juan de Salcedo when two Franciscan missionaries. Fray Juan Bautista Lucarelli and Fray Sebastian de Baeza arrived to start evangelization. It was once a part of Pangasinan. When La Union was created in 1850, Agoo was one of the twelve original towns. The town’s introduction to Christianity was signaled by the establishment of nipa and bamboo church in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. It was believed that the first settlement was situated in the present Nagrebcan. They administered their religious and political affairs until 1591 when the order retired from the province.

The two made Agoo their headquarters and center of the general campaign for the conquest of more souls in the surrounding areas. They formally erected and proclaimed Agoo as a civic unit. Agoo was named after the river along whose banks it was built, which at that time was a forest of pine-like trees locally called “agoo” or “aroo”. The town also became the center of pacification and conquest of the mountain tribes in the Cordilleras.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/hall_agoo.gif

It was note worthy that Agoo was founded against the rule. Fr. Felix Huerta, Franciscan historian, pointed out that the Philippines, no town was founded before 1580, only cities and villas. The reason for the exemption was not only to the number of converts but also to the compactness of the settlement, so that the problem of preaching and protecting the people speeded up the formal erection of the place into a municipality. Another reason could have been the fact that Agoo was an international port and that it was encomienda reserved for the King.

When the Augustinian left Agoo in 1591, the Dominicans took their place in 1598 as the town’s political and religious leaders. The coming of the Augustinians had to withdraw due to a conflict between their superiors and the governor-general in Manila. Because of this, there was a full in the discharge of pastoral ministry in Agoo.

In 1971, Governor Feliz Berenguer de Marquina ordered the reinstatement of the Augustinians until the secular clergy took over in 1898.

It was the Augustinians who began the education and Christianization of the people of Agoo by the establishing a primary school where Catholicism was taught. The people were also taught the art of making bricks, lime, brick-laying, stone- quarrying for the construction of churches and public buildings and bridges. “Moro-moro” and the singing of “pasyon” were also introduced to the people.

The Augustinians planned the streets, the location of public buildings the roads going to the neighboring towns.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/517638-Agoo_Postcard-Agoo.jpg

Foremost of their construction was the erection of a church after the transfer of the town center. It was constructed by Fr. Satornino Franco while a three layered belfry was made by Fr. Casiniro Melgosa and Fr. Aguiliano Garcia. By the end of the 15th century, the image of Nuestra Señora de Caridad (Our Lady of Charity) was installed in the church.

Agoo also had its share of tribulations during the Japanese occupation. Japanese forces burned part of Macalva and massacred 17 innocent civilians under the Prinsipe bridge. They were accused of being sympathizers of the underground movement.

The liberation of the country signaled the development of this town. Constantino Verceles became the first elected mayor after the war. Together with Representative Manuel Cases, they stirred the town’s development. Through the sponsorship of Cases, the Masalip Irrigation System was established.

http://www.cityofpines.com/baguioaccess/marcos02.jpg

Agoo is now a picture of economic, religious, cultural and political development. The town is now an educational center in this part of the province. Agoo has one state university (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University), two national high schools (President Elpidio Quirino National High School, San Manuel National High School), one private college (Congress College), two private technical schools (PAMETS and Agoo Computer School) and four privately-owned high schools (Agoo Academy, Saint Mary’s Academy, Agoo Kiddie Special School and Agoo Montessori Learning Center) and Eighteen Public Elementary Schools. This was further boosted by the establishment of day care centers in almost all barangays.

On the economic side, the municipality was elevated from third to a second class status.

One of the illustrious sons of this town is the late Jose D. Aspiras who was elected to the Philippine Congress in 1969. He also served as Minister of Tourism and Information Secretary during the time of President Marcos. Before he died in November 14, 1999, Aspiras was resident representative and managing director, with the rank of ambassador of the Manila Economic Cultural based in Taiwan.

The 16th century Agoo Parish Church, restored and refurbished (spearheaded by the late Minister Jose Aspiras) has been elevated to the rank of Basilica Minore by Pope John Paul II in 1981, one of the very few in the country today.

AGOO is annually awarded as the cleanest and greenest town in the Philippines.

^^ here are some citations awarded to Agoo. (not updated)

2003 National Champion Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Philippines Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Municipal Category A

2002 National Finalist and First Runner Up Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Philippines Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Municipal Catergory A

2002 Regional Champion, Ilocos Region Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Philippines Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Municipal Category A

2001 National Finalist and First Runner Up Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Philippines Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Municipal Category A

2001 Regional Champion, Ilocos Region Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Philippines Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Municipal Category A

Municipality of Rosario
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Rosario used to be sitio and then a barrio of Santo Tomas, La Union. It was converted into a municipality in 1869.

The earliest people of Rosario were immigrants from Sto. Tomas, La Union and Magsingal, Ilocos Sur. Later, more immigrants arrived from the towns of Agoo, Tubao, Aringay and still later from San Fernando and Bacnotan.

Those coming from Santo Tomas, Agoo and Magsingal occupied the Poblacion, those from Bacnotan occupied barrio from Tubao settled in barrios Parasapas and Carunuan and those from San Fernando settled in barrio Amlang.

As more immigrants arrived which resulted to the increase of its population, the people agreed it was about time that Rosario be converted into a town.

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Don Mariano Posadas along with Don Mariano Narcelles and Don Gavino Ordoña, who had the best command spoken and written Spanish at that time, petitioned with the national and provincial authorities for barrio Rosario to become a regular municipality.

In 1869, the Spanish Provincial Governor granted their petition and appointed Don Agustin Isidro de Guzman as its first Captain Municipal.

There are two stories on how Rosario got its name.

In the early days, there were sense forests not only on the hills but also on the narrow valleys. There were many wild animals and birds. The rivers and brooks were deep where all kinds of edible fishes and snails abound.

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The banks of the Malitnaw and the Nilanguyan rivers and the numerous brooks were covered with different kinds of ferns and wild roses. The stem was long, clinging and was covered with sharp thorns. Against a broad and almost continuous background of green foliage, the wild roses looked like a huge white, red and pink ribbon meandering on the banks.

The Spanish soldiers who came to the place admired the beautiful landscape with dense forest and riverscape of “rosas del rio”. It was not very long however, when the inhabitants found it easier and more convenient to join the words thus, the name “ROSARIO”.

Another story is about the long range of foothill far west of the Poblacion. At a distance, it looks like a big rosary beads cut in middle and laid down straight from end to end. Many people say that the name of the town was derived from this giant and long rocky rosary looking at the sky with a huge blank stare.

Rosario is the last town on the southern portion of La Union. From the south , it is the first town in the Ilocos region. Travelers aptly call it the “Gateway to Ilocandia” and this true because the national highway cuts through a mountain at barrio Agat, Sison, Pangasinan before it gently glides into the Bued bridge that marks the boundary between La Union and Pangasinan. A visitor who comes into the heartland of Ilocandia for the first time will have a memorable impression of a typical Ilocos topography-hilly, narrow plains and valleys, shallow rivers and brooks.

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Kennon Road connects Baguio City with the town of Rosario, La Union. It was originally called the Benguet Road and was later named in honor of its builder, Col. Lyman Kennon of the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Coming from Manila or the provinces in the central plains of Luzon, it is the shortest route up to Baguio. Other access roads to Baguio are Jose D. Aspiras Highway (formerly Marcos Highway) in Agoo and Naguilian Road in Bauang La Union

by Renee F. de Guzman

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- For conquering the global market for its wood furniture products, and for providing jobs, the municipality of Rosario in La Union Province was selected as one of the 15 model One-Town-One Product Philippines (OTOPs) of the country.

The town of Rosario is long noted locally for its dried fish “bulong unas” industry. However, lately through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-organized trade fairs and other assistance from the government the 12 wood furniture entrepreneurs from the area have become global players and are presently directly exporting their products to U.S.A., Japan, Australia, Greece, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Ireland, Canada, Holland, Italy, United kingdom, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Norway and Kuwait. Thus,putting the town in the world map of business and industry.

The wood furniture industry in Rosario was first identified by the DTI – La Union Office in 2000 and it was named La Union Home Furnishing Sector . It is composed of 12 entrepreneurs as key industry players with 80 registered firms as members employing 410 carpenters, finishers and carvers. It has a combined total assets of approximately P43 million.

Aside from marketing assistance and financial assistance through loan, the DTI also provided to the sector, trainings on Basic Exporting, Advanced Finishing Technique, Entrepreneurship Development and Product Development.

With the industry’s remarkable development especially the employment opportunities it provides in the area, it easily qualified as a model OTOP not only in the region but in the entire Philippines.

The OTOP Program is a strategy under the economic reform agenda of the government for sustainable development of the country. The program is intended to support and develop entrepreneurship to create livelihood and employment opportunities among Filipinos especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are considered the backbone of the Philippine economy.

The DTI and other national government agencies, (NGAs) the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector continue to extend comprehensive package of assistance to MSMEs in the country under the OTOP Philippines Program.

As the lead agency of the program, the DTI assisted in the identification and selection of the 15 model OTOPs in the various parts of the country which are the following:

1. Wood Furnitures - Rosario, La union (Reg. I)
2. Roasted Coffee - Tabuk, Kalinga (CAR)
3. Home Furnishing - Baggao, Cagayan (Reg. II)
4. Gifts and Holiday Decor - Cabiao, Nueva Ecija (Reg. III)
5. Paper Mache - Paete, Laguna (Reg. IV – A)
6. Woven Buntal - Torrijos, Marinduque (Reg. IV-A)
7. Ceramics - Tiwi, Albay ( Reg. V)
8. Bamboo Base - Maasin, Iloilo (Reg. VI)
9. Woven Raffia - Inabanga, Bohol (Reg. VII)
10. Mussel - Jiabong, Samar (Reg. VIII)
11. Seaweed - Pagadian City (Reg. IX)
12. High Value Vegetables - Impasug-ong, Bukidnon (Reg. X)
13. Banana Chips - Davao City (Reg. XI)
14. Fresh Bananas - Makilala, Cotabato (Reg. XII)
15. Palm Oil - La Paz, Agusan del Sur (Reg. XIII)

selected pilot OTOPs continuously receive assistance such as business counseling, relevant trainings, and marketing from LGUs, NGAs, and Private sector.

Aside from the identified model OTOPs, the DTI also extends assistance to LGUs in all parts of the country in identifying, developing and sustaining their respective OTOPs. At present there are already 1,264 municipal mayors or 84% of their total number who were given briefing/orientation on OTOP. (PIA Ilocos)

i used to study in SFLU before...huh, i miss the city!
^^you can always visit SFLU anytime if you want to...:)

By Renee F. de Guzman

ROSARIO, LA UNION (8 June) -- Approximately 214 kilometers North of Manila lies the town of Rosario in La Union Province. It is the first town south of La Union and often referred to as the "Gateway fo Ilocandia" and Baguio / Benguet.

Rosario is noted not only for the "Bulong Unas" dried fish industry but also for the quality antique furniture design concepts following the natural contour of the wood.

Travellers plying through the area would usually appreciate and be enticed to buy the displayed finished products in the showrooms of various furniture shops lined along the National Highway at Barangays Camp One, Saytan and Udiao.

One of these furniture shops is the Estacio's Antique and Hidden Arts. The shop pioneered the antique furniture industry in La Union in l985. It was established and managed by Felipe Estacio who was fondly called "Tatang Ipe." Vicky the daughter of Tatang Ipe was the Marketing Manager.

In l994 however, Vicky has to take over the management of the business as Tatang Ipe could no longer cope up with the demands of the job.

Being young, innovative, ambitious and competitive, she immediately sought the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry ( DTI ) not only in the area of marketing, but also in product development, training and financial assistance.

Vicky attended trainings conducted by DTI and cooperating agencies in the areas of Export Management, Product Development, Technical Aspects of Exhibitions and Visual Merchandizing Assistance.

In terms of Marketing, the DTI extended assistance to the shop in showcasing their products both in local trade fairs and in the national trade fairs held annually at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Vicky's design prowess gained recognition during the National Trade Fairs of years 2002 and 2003. In those events her showcase was awarded the Best Dressed Booth. She also generated cash sales of almost half a million pesos in each of the two trade fairs. She also met local and foreign buyers.

Last year however, Vicky did not participate in the national trade fair as she said, she was deep in manufacturing the orders from Japan.

Part of the marketing assistance extended to her by the DTI is product development. Vicky became very receptive to innovations that she introduced and adopted ten ( 10 ) new designs which clicked in the market. These designs gave her favorable sales locally and purchase orders from Singapore and Japan and catapulted her shop from micro to small enterprise.

With the bulk of job orders but with limited capital, Vicky sought the financial assistance of the DTI through the Small Business Guarantee Finance Corporation's SME - GUIDE Program. She was granted loan of P482,000.00 to sustain the working capital for the steady supply of new materials to enable her to meet the increasing demand for her shop's quality furniture both in the Philippines and abroad. She was also able to acquire a delivery vehicle out of the loan.

According to Vicky she has fully paid the first loan and is again availing from DTI a One Million Peso loan to be able to meet big orders from Japan and Baguio.

She added that she just finished and in fact already about to deliver the order of ARKISHIK of Japan. The products worth half million pesos are ready made gates, balconies and consul tables made of antique molave wood.

When asked if the government ban on cutting of trees affects her business, she said it does not as she sources her raw materials from old wooden houses and the roots of dead woods.

She elaborated that what she does is to buy old wooden houses made of hard wood and convert the materials according to the specifications of the orders placed by the clients.

Estacio's Antique and Hidden Arts is known in Japan and Singapore for its wooden bags and furniture designs following the contour of the wood including the roots. That is the "hidden art" referred to in the name of her shop, Vicky revealed.

Like any other SME, Vicky said she also encounters certain problem such as the difficulty in meeting orders because of the intricacy of the design. Such as when the furniture design must follow the natural contour of the wood which her shop is noted for. It's really a challenge, she said. "But thanks to my learnings from the DTI trainings on design concepts as they become very useful in giving me ideas on how to highlight the silhouette of the product."

Vicky is now thinking big. She said she dreams to put up in a few years a furniture branch in the United States. She is very grateful to the government especially to the DTI for its assistance program to small and medium enterprises.

"It gave us a chance to develop and become medium entrepreneurs and it also give us the opportunity to help others by providing them employment."
Source (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p050608.htm&no=12)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/07222006269.jpg
this photo to me looks like a US mickey d location/setting...

this photo to me looks like a US mickey d location/setting...
^^matteo, what do you mean "US mickey"? is it a county in US? :)

Written by Jennilyne O. Casimiro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Excelling in the five performance areas with eighteen service areas of the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS), the province of La Union was adjudged as the Best Performing Local Government Unit (LGU) - provincial category in the recently concluded regional search.

Gov. Victor F. Ortega accepts the Gawad Galing Pook Award for the La Union Medical Center, which received recognition for its pioneering effort at making health service accessible to all constituents, but discouraging the dole-out mentality by enabling indigent patients to pay in kind. The provincial government turned the LUMC into an “Economic Enterprise for Sustainability and Development” by virtue of Executive Order No. 4, Series of 2002 to operate, manage and sustain the hospital as a medical center.
Gov. Victor F. Ortega accepts the Gawad Galing Pook Award for the La Union Medical Center, which received recognition for its pioneering effort at making health service accessible to all constituents, but discouraging the dole-out mentality by enabling indigent patients to pay in kind. The provincial government turned the LUMC into an “Economic Enterprise for Sustainability and Development” by virtue of Executive Order No. 4, Series of 2002 to operate, manage and sustain the hospital as a medical center.

The search is divided into three categories namely: provincial, city and municipal levels. Automatically, the four provinces and eight cities in the region are nominated for the search, whereas for the municipal level, the Department of the Interior and Local Government provincial directors evaluated the performance of their respective municipalities based on the State of Local Governance Reports (SLGRs) and recommended two municipalities per province as entries.

The Province of La Union excelled in almost all the service areas except in revenue allocation and utilization with a total of 94.43% rating, followed by Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur.
The Province of La Union excelled in almost all the service areas except in revenue allocation and utilization with a total of 94.43% rating, followed by Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur.

For the city category, Vigan City of the province of Ilocos Sur topped the ratings with 89.31% followed by Laoag City and Urdaneta City.

For the municipal level, the municipality of Solsona, Ilocos Norte garnered the highest rating with 91.24% against its eight opponents. The municipality of Naguilian, La Union ranks second and San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte as third placer.

Final ratings had been determined after the site validation of the regional selection team composed of representatives from the Department of Economic and Development Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency and Department of Budget and Management, all of Region I, who evaluated the different LGUs’ program claims and clarify concerns/issues in the SLGR of the twenty participating LGUs where the top three LGUs (per category) had been adjudged as champions.

The performance areas where the LGUs had been rated are governance - 25% (with local legislation, transparency and citizen participation as service areas); administration - 35% (with financial accountability, development planning, resource generation, resource allocation and utilization, human resource management and development and customer service as service areas); social services - 25%(with health and nutrition, education, housing and basic utilities and peace, security and disaster preparedness as service areas); economic development - 10% (with agriculture and fisheries development, business, enterprise and industrial promotion as service areas); and environmental management - 10% (natural resources management, waste management and pollution control as service areas).

The search for Best Performing LGU is being patterned to the LGPMS framework, a self-assessment indicators system that allows local governments to determine their capabilities and limitations in the delivery of vital public services.

It is the second category in the performance awards initiated by the Regional Development Council-1 as per RDC-1 Resolution No. 58, s. 2005. The Search for LGU Best Practices (1st category) was conducted sometime December 2005.

The top three champions in the different categories of the search will be awarded trophies during the 1st RDC Meeting for CY 2006 scheduled this April. (By Jennilyne O. Casimiro PIA Ilocos)

Written by Venus May H. Sarmiento
Tuesday, 25 July 2006

PANGASINAN – Vice Governor Oscar Lambino said Pangasinenses need not feel jealous if Pangasinan was only mentioned in the irrigation and education part of the State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Monday afternoon.
In a live radio interview, Lambino dismissed the notion that Pangasinan was left out in terms of economic growth. He said Northern Luzon is being eyed for agricultural productivity. Thus, strengthening of the irrigation component of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam will greatly benefit the farmlands of Pangasinan

This, he explained, counteracts the claim of some people that in the super regions mentioned, North Luzon wasn’t given much attention for economic growth.

In the case of constructing airports in other regions , Lambino said Pangasinan is quite near Poro Point (San Fernando City La Union) so building another airport in the province is redundant. Although the construction of a railway will initially be done in Pampanga, in the long run, the railways may probably extend to Pangasinan, he explained.

As for the proposal to modernize the port in Sual town, the vice governor said there is presently a port in Ilocos Sur which is nearer if travelers come from mainland China and Hongkong,

Lambino said there will surely be elections in 2007. The fiscal reforms implemented by the Arroyo administration saw many economic gains. He said this can be used to fund automated elections which can decrease irregularities so the people will not lose confidence in the government.

Lambino said the president will do everything to make the whole nation prosper so the administration cannot just put all the good and big projects in Pangasinan alone There is a time for everything, he added.

He said the projects cited in the SONA comprise the plan of the president in her three remaining years as the President’s “legacy to the Filipino people.” (PIA-Pangasinan)
Source (http://pia-ilocos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=2)

By Henry S. Lagasca

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (25 July) -— In a bid to spur economic growth in the super-regions by involving local government units (LGUs), local executives and business leaders, in so far as La Union is concerned, described President Arroyo’s sixth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) as “the beginning of a real local autonomy” in terms of project planning and implementation for their localities.

“This strategy will give more impetus to the massive devolution of development programs from the national to the local level with the necessary funding support wherein the government will be investing P100 billion annually in the next five years,” said Mayor Eufranio C. Eriguel of the municipality of Agoo in southern La Union, who is also the president of the La Union League of Mayors.

For their part, the La Union Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association and the Chinese Chamber and Industry of La Union (CCILU) strongly endorsed the mega-region development strategy saying that it will spur more economic investment and open more market potentials in the countryside.

In yesterday’s SONA before the joint opening of the third regular session of the 13th Congress, President Arroyo bids her administration critics to join the bandwagon of change and reform even as she unveiled her economic package on how best to serve the people.

PGMA, once again, has demonstrated a strong leadership pulling the nation forward under a clear and comprehensive master plan to build and transform the nation into five super-regions.

Kapansin-pansin na iwinaksi ng Pangulong Arroyo sa kanyang ika-anim na SONA ang politika at isinentro niya ang ekonomiya. Pinalutang ng Pangulo sa SONA and kanyang nilikhang super-regions. Ito ang mga rehiyon na may kanya-kanyang natural na kakayahan sa pagpapaangat ng mga kanayunan. Aniya, ito ang tututukan ng pamahalaan karugtong ang pagpapalakas sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na kaakibat sa pang-ekonomiyang direksiyon na inilahad sa atin ng Pangulo.

The national government’s new development planning strategy of grouping the country’s 16 regions into four super-economies “goes beyond political boundaries and goes towards enlarging economic boundaries,” the President said.

The four mega-regions are the North Luzon composed of Regions 1,2, the Cordilleras, Nueva Ecija and Aurora provinces; Metro Luzon that includes Regions 3, 4A and Metro Manila; Central Philippines which covers the island provinces of the Visayas and Bicol Region or Regions 4B,5,6,7 and 8; and Mindanao comprising Regions 9,10,11,12,13 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The President has envisioned the North Luzon region as the country’s agri-business center in the North while Mindanao region would be the country’s agri-business center in the South.

The Metro Luzon region is an emerging commercial center and urban beltway while the Central Philippines would be fully promoted as the Philippine’s tourism hub.

President Arroyo said that her new development thrusts is to align with the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) and local government executives as her partners, giving due consideration that the LGUs knows what are the needs of their constituents. (PIA Region 1)

SUPER REGIONS: A Blueprint for Federalism -- Ermita (http://globalnation.inq7.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=9731)

Source (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060725.htm&no=44)

It will be an exaggeration if I say that La Union province could soon found itself below sea level. But La Union, famous for its pristine beaches and the gateway to the Ilocos region, could literally be eroded judging from recent pronouncements of officials of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Board of Investments to promote exports of gravel and sand to Taiwan.

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The BCDA issued a statement last week saying that Taiwanese businessmen made a visit to the province and found abundant sources of gravel and sand there. The statement said Taiwan was in need of gravel and sand to sustain its vibrant economy and was looking at northern Philippines as a source of the materials.

Taiwanese businessmen were impressed with the province’s natural resources, the statement said, adding that the trade could bring in $225 million worth of annual export receipts to the Philippines. Local officials, meanwhile, said Poro Point would be an ideal shipment point owing to its proximity and the existence of good roads to and from quarry sites. The Taiwanese delegation, however, noted that the Poro Point seaport in its present condition would not be able to handle the required volume of gravel and sand for export to Taiwan, which is estimated at about 25 million metric tons annually.

“Poro Point must be developed,” the BCDA statement quoted Charles Chen, one of the Taiwanese businessmen who are actively looking for sources of gravel and sand in the Philippines, as saying.

Logistics nightmare

The BCDA statement was obviously a potshot at Bulk Handlers Inc., operator the Poro Point seaport which earlier tangled with Poro Point Management Corp., the lead government agency managing the development of the Poro Point Special Economic Zone. The PPMC board, it will be recalled, passed a resolution declaring the contract to operate the Poro Point seaport in La Union null and void. PPMC endorsed the resolution to BCDA board but majority of the board members ignored it.

PPMC’s pressure tactics on Bulk Handlers to relinquish the seaport, however, are less disturbing than the letter I received from a certain Manuel Gonzalez, who has read my previous columns on the Poro Point seaport controversy. I do not know Mr. Gonzalez personally but his arguments (he says he is an engineer) against gravel and sand exports are provocative.

Here is the rest of Mr. Gonzalez’s e-mail: “In the BCDA Web page, they talk about trying to export gravel and sand to Taiwan, ‘about 25 million metric tons annually’ or equivalent revenue of something like $225 million. This works out to $9 per ton.

“Our gravel and sand is being sold as ‘an inexhaustible source of materials which can bring in $225 million in annual revenues for the country.’ These revenues aren’t going to create permanent or semipermanent jobs in the Philippines, all we will be doing is selling off part of the islands, dirt cheap.

“To give you an idea of the magnitude of such a requirement, it would take 24,338 truckloads a day to move such quantities. If a truck could do eight trips a day, we would be talking of needing something like 3,043 trucks daily. Imagine these many trucks buzzing in and out of the area. What will happen to our countryside?

“Couldn’t all that effort be better put to developing the area for tourism, instead? While the gravel and sand business may generate 10,000 new jobs, how many new jobs would be developed if, instead, 500 tourists arrive daily?”

I just hope Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes could read Mr. Gonzalez’s concerns.

Related News 01 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9338347&postcount=118)
Related News 02 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9338347&postcount=119)


Dream broadcasts legal

The Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Philippine Multi-Media System Inc. of businessman Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco against a case filed by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

The CA, in a 36-page decision dated July 12, dismissed the complaint of ABS-CBN, saying that Dream Cable, which is operated by PMSI, had the right to air, transmit and rebroadcast ABS-CBN shows through direct-to-home satellite signals and direct broadcast satellite service.

The CA ruling upheld an earlier decision of the Intellectual Property Office and denied ABS-CBN’s claim that Dream Cable infringed on the former’s exclusive right to rebroadcast its television programs. The appellate court said memorandum circular 4-08-88 of the National Telecommunications Commission prevents a situation “whereby station owners and a few networks would have unfettered power to make time available only to the highest bidders, and to permit on the air only those with whom they agreed…”

It said such a situation was “contrary to the state policy that the [franchise] grantee like the petitioner, private respondent and other TV station owners, shall provide at all times sound and balanced programming and assist in the functions of public information and education.”


Source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business06_july27_2006)
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandardonline.com

Poro Point Embarrassment (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/june/02/yehey/opinion/20060602opi2.html)

Court Stops Poro Takeover (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business01_june03_2006)

Poro Point Investor Resists Power Bloc (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_june01_2006)

Casinos to Fund Cha-Cha (http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?page=news&id=5365&sid=1&urldate=2006-06-27)

US Casino Firm Faces Higher Odds in Poro (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_may04_2006)

BCDA Board Rift: Poro Casino Snub (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business06_june08_2006)

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The Poro Point Fiesta Casino opened without fanfare despite the opposition from church leader in La Union.

La Union clergy and other sectors with Bishop Artemio Rillera, of the Diocese of San Fernando, slammed the casino operation

The Bishop said it would only spawn "untold evils" like prostitution, drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, crimes like robbery and the destruction of family values.

"There can never be a justification for promoting gambling under the pretext of generating jobs for the unemployed," he said, echoing the pastoral letter issued by the diocese last year.

"For the sake of providing job opportunities and uplifting conditions of the poor, Rillera said progress could be achieved in other areas that need to be explored. He lamented that the operation of the casino proceeded despite his meeting with President Macapagal-Arroyo in Malaca�ang last year seeking to prevent the casino from opening.

The facility, which is part of the Poro Point and Tourism Complex inside the 68-hectare Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone (PPSEFZ), houses 100 slot machines and several gambling tables for baccarat and Pai Gaw, a Chinese card game similar to the Filipino "pusoy". The tourism complex includes a first-class restaurant, which is near the casino. From the casino, the visitor gets a good view of the surrounding area as the strip of land on which it is built just into the South China Sea.

Local executives, businessmen, officials and employees of government agencies based in this city are starting to patronize the casino. Since it opened, the casino has attracted high rollers not only from the province but also from Pangasinan, Iloco Sur and Baguio City. The casino open at noon and ends it operation at 6 a.m.

A U.S. based firm operates the casino. The Thunderbird Resorts Inc. which reportedly invested P1.3 Billion in the venture, the casino and the resort facility employs about 300 workers. Thunderbird which operates 12 gaming businesses in five Latin American countries, also owns Fiesta Casino and Resort in Rizal. Thunderbird Resorts Inc., is formerly knows as Thunderbird Gaming Corporation. The shareholders unanimously approved a name change to "Thunderbird Resorts, Inc." Effective September 30,2005.

Thunderbird Resorts Inc., entered into an agreement to jointly supply and operate the first "casino" in the Philippines. Under the grant of authority issued by PAGCOR, New Victor Corporation, along with its new joint venture partner, Thunderbird will supply slot machines and add its operating expertise to this PAGCOR facility.

Source (http://www.worlds-best-online-casinos.com/News/church-opposed-opening-casino-san-fernando-1153725604.html)
Monday, 24. 2006
Gerald Kernighan

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Originally part of Pangasinan, the town of Naguilian is known for its basi (sugarcane wine) making industry. Its name is derived from the Iloko word “Nag-ili-a”, which means the place where people from other places come to stay. “Nag” is a prefix which denotes past action, “Ili” means town and “an” is a word which modifies the word “ili”. Putting the three together, it becomes “NAGILIAN”. This was later modified as “NAGUILIAN”

Naguilian has an area of 8,740 hectares. It is bounded on the northwest by the City of San Fernando, on the Northeast by Bagulin, on the west by the town of Bauang, on the south by Aringay, on the southwest by Caba, on the Southeast by Sablan, Benguet and on the east by the town of Burgos.

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Due to increasing population density, a barangay of immigrants drifted to the shore of La Union and begun building the town of Bauang at the south of the river, now called Bauang River, and settled thereat. Hundreds of years passed and the population increased. The families who had small land to till migrated to new territories. They found a valley at the back of the river and then reached the fertile valley of Naguilian, then still part of Bauang. They built a colony at the fork of the two rivers and began developing the territory.
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The Catholic Church in Naguilian was constructed in 1739 after the Spaniards established their authority thereat. The centennial of the Catholic Church was held in 1839 which marked the separation of the town of Naguilian from the town of Bauang.

When La Union was created as a province in 1850, Naguilian was one of the twelve towns that formed the province.

Built in areas of the towns are generally clustered linearly around the barangay roads. Agricultural land areas are situated in the valleys which are planted with rice, corn, tobacco, sugarcane and other crops. Forest areas command a large portion of land areas. Barangay Casilagan was declared by the Bureau of Forestry as a potential watershed area.

Naguillian is also well-known for its thriving woodcraft in Cabaritan Norte and Sur, Dallipaoen and Al-alinao Norte while barangays Bancagan and Daramuangan can boast of its bamboocraft industry. Another equally worth mentioning industry is the fermentation of basi and vinegar, famous in Lioac Norte and Sur, Baraoas Norte and Sur.

Not only does it boast of its agricultural products, Naguilian is also endowed with rich natural resources. One of the favorite places for hikers is the Tuddingan Falls where a brief sojourn in this scenic place gives one the chance to enjoy the combined beauty and confort that nature provides.

BASI is that quintessential Ilocano home brew. Made from fermented sugarcane juice and flavored with local tree bark and berries, basi is deceptively sweet. You have a fine time drinking it but once you get up, the world will literally revolve around you.

Till the next morning, you know what "punch drunk" feels and means. The Ilocanos cherish their basi so much that when the Spaniards decided to impose a monopoly on liquor in September 1807, the small town of Piddig in Ilocos Norte fought with bamboo spears, bows and arrows and scythes against the Spaniards, and surprisingly won.

The revolt almost reached Vigan but was eventually stopped after two weeks.

Although the Igorots have mastered the art of brewing basi, many Ilocano towns boast that they make the definitive basi.

But in Baguio City, that glory would go to nearby Naguilian and Aringay towns in La Union. Ilocanos getting married in Baguio would have someone dig up a jar of basi from Naguilian and bring it to the city.

In the 1930s, a young boy from Aringay had the enviable task of being a basi taster.

"When I was young, our family made basi. Sometimes we had 100 jars. When it came to tasting... I was the taster," said Baguio Mayor Braulio Yaranon during a recent round-table meeting with the Inquirer Northern Luzon Bureau.

Yaranon, the eldest among five boys and a girl, would taste from the 100 jars and discern which had gone sour. Those that turned sour were dug up and removed and packaged as Ilocano vinegar, the local (and very much cheaper) version of balsamic vinegar.

"I used to taste as many as 60 jars. Of course, I just tasted it with my tongue," he said.

When the basi is sweet, the jar is re-covered with banana leaves and "cemented" with wet ash and buried from six months to a year, Yaranon said.

"We had some land devoted to sugarcane. We had this carabao-drawn mill every harvest time," he said. The cane was manually fed into the mill and the resulting juice was boiled. Yeast from rice flour was then added.

People looking for the inner fire inside the 77-year-old Yaranon can stop right there. This is the man who had ingested basi at an age when we were still prohibited from drinking soft drinks. Maybe this is the same fire that catapulted him to become the mayor of the coldest city in the country.

Don Quixote

He was the Don Quixote bent on fighting formidable windmills like corruption, patronage politics and moral degeneration and he slew them or is still trying to.

Yaranon was known more as "Judge," having been a respectable La Union judge for a long time. He succeeded his wife Lilia as councilor and was known as the "fiscalizer" during his one term.

He was not given a chance when he ran for mayor but with a campaign fund of only P300,000, he was able to swamp his rivals.

His age was made an issue against him and he countered by attending as many sorties as possible. In one sortie we attended, at the Irisan garbage dump, his rival, who was the guest speaker, rushed out after he talked, probably overpowered by the smell. But Yaranon stayed on and even ate there.

As it turned out, one of his secrets to long life is literally holding his breath.

"(We need) plenty of oxygen. I hold my breath for five seconds, 10, 50 till a minute. The purpose of that is to keep the tissue elastic. As one gets older, he needs a lot of oxygen actually. Oxygen is the only element that rejuvenates the body cells. You practically retard the aging process," he said.

"My blood pressure is 90 over 60. My blood sugar is normal. I don't have arthritis," he said. (INQ7)

Great pictures indeed!San Fernando City looks nice....

^^matteo, what do you mean "US mickey"? is it a county in US? :)
o i meant mickey d, mcdonalds :)

o i meant mickey d, mcdonalds :)
:colgate: I see...

Inquirer
Last updated 05:25am (Mla time) 07/24/2006

Published on page B11 of the July 24, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

ONE OF THE BIGGEST TAIWANESE firms doing business in the Philippines has cited the private operators of Poro Point seaport in San Fernando City in La Union for its high standards in handling cargo.

Golden Strait International Enterprises Corp. commended the port "for the successful handling of our cargo to its destination."

The firm exports Philippine products from northern Luzon to Taiwan.

Golden Strait vice president Wenin Chu said Poro Point's bulk terminal "suits well our line of business not only because of proximity to our supply cargo but also because of existing structures and facility which are ideally provided."

The Poro Point seaport is managed by Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), a joint venture between Bulk Handlers Inc. and Poro Point Management Corp., a subsidiary of Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

BCDA earlier said the Poro Point bulk terminal was fast becoming an alternate port for shippers due to its low tariffs and efficiency.

BCDA said the efficiency of Poro Point services have resulted in savings for vessel owners and importers due to faster vessel turnaround time, lower manpower costs and reduced berthing fees.

BCDA added that the proximity of Poro Point to China, Indochina, Japan, Korea and Taiwan has made it an ideal seaport around which industrial and tourism facilities can be developed.

The Poro Point Terminal has also emerged as a major terminal for locators in nearby economic zones, including Clark and Subic.

Source (http://business.inq7.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=11389)

Not BCDA's words (http://opinion.inq7.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=13359)

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BUSINESS
Funds ready for upgrading of San Fernando Airport
Mon Jul 31, 2006
source (http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006073170548.html#)

The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) has the ready funds to bankroll the upgrading of the San Fernando Airport in La Union, one of the new infrastructure projects mentioned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her recent State-of-the-Nation Address.

In fact, BCDA President and CEO Narciso Abaya said they are already bidding out the detailed engineering and design contract for the expansion of the airport, located inside the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone in San Fernando City.

Abaya issued this statement to quash doubts as to the availability of funds needed for the massive infrastructure projects lined up by the President in her SONA.

Initial budget requirement for the expansion is P203 million which will be provided by the BCDA. The upgrading will enable San Fernando Airport to accommodate bigger commercial planes such as the B-737s and help attract more tourists and investors to Northern Luzon, Abaya said.

The detailed engineering design contract will determine the needed physical and navigational aspects of the planned development, as well as the consultant’s deliverables, project cost estimates and detailed plans to enable the airport to accommodate bigger planes.

Some of the major components of the San Fernando Airport Development Plan, prepared by the UP Planades in 2003, are the extension of the runway by 480 meters, relocation and construction of a new control tower, removal of obstructions along the runway approach, and improvement and extension of the current terminal building.

The plan likewise calls for the upgrading of the runway, taxiway and apron pavements, completion of a perimeter fence, expansion of the vehicular parking area, acquisition of a major foam tender firefighting equipment, construction of a water system, upgrading of the power system, and installation of runway end identification lights and precision approach path indicators.

The BCDA is positioning Poro Point as a major entertainment and tourism hub in Northern Luzon because of its strategic location. Aside from the San Fernando Airport, Poro Point also hosts a commercial seaport, an industrial zone and an entertainment center.

The current airport is currently served by at least one commercial airliner, Asian Spirit. However, the airport can only accommodate smaller turbo prop airplanes that carry a maximum of 60 passengers, while 737s have a 200-seat capacity.

Poro Point’s vast entertainment and tourism potential is underscored by the fact that La Union boasts some of the country’s finest beaches, and is a mere one hour drive to Baguio City. It is also a short distance away from the famed Hundred Islands in Pangasinan by sea, while the pilgrim towns of Agoo and Manaoag are also close by.

^^ wow. that's a good news for La Union! :)

By: William Jun Garcia
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A 5-day session which tackled a number of local community concerns and its critical importance to international agenda was held in the 3rd Session of the United Nations Habitat-World Urban Forum (Forum Urbain Mondial 3) Vancouver, Canada from June 19 to 23.

Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega led the city’s contingent which included La Union Gov. Victor Ortega, City Councilor Antonio Jucar, City Legal Officer Verselie Limos and Community Development Assistant Dominador Lardizabal out of some 9,689 participants all over the world out of the 1,534 local authorities who joined the Forum.

The Forum highlighted on ensuring urban development, particularly those in the developing countries, with emphasis on housing, on its slum-upgrading, sustainable infrastructure development, financing and partnership with its population in their transformation to better living conditions.

The first UN-Habitat Urban Forum was held 30 years ago in Vancouver, which is considered as “the most livable city in the world” by standards. “I have learned that there is no bickering in between those who govern Vancouver.” She also cited Canada for welcoming immigrants openly without racial prejudice.

Mayor Ortega actively participated in 5 meetings. She was invited to speak in two of the four parallel sessions, missing out Vice Pres. Noli De Castro’s speech in one instance.

She was also the sole representative in the UN Advisory Council for Local Authorities while she also attended in the Global Advisory Board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; she was also one of the three speakers before a roundtable in the Asian Mayors’ Meeting, where there were 125 mayors and a governor also in attendance; in the Cities Alliance Meeting, the Mayor was the only reactor to four presentors from British Columbia and made a presentation of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiative as member of the executive committee.

In Montreal, Gov. Ortega met and talked with some 300 Filipino residents, led by a native of Bauang. He was also a guest of another 500 Filipinos in Ottawa while the Mayor proceeded later to a 3-day stay in San Francisco, California to attend a coronation of the Ms. Ilocandia beauty tilt and an Independence Day celebration of some 10, 000 Filipinos at a “Wowwowee” television presentation.

At a network meeting, participants were encouraged to make plans for their communities in the next 100 years. “In 2004 we had a meeting with Vice Mayor (Bernardo) Valero and came up with a 20-year plan broken up into 5 years,” she recalled, “we must plan for the next generations.”

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Bauang was established as a settlement in 1590 with fray Agustin Mino as its first minister. It was officially recognized as a town in 1765 as part of the province of Pangasinan with Don Francisco delos Reyes as its first gobernadorcillo. When La Union was created in 1850, Bauang was one of the twelve towns that formed the province.

There are three versions on how this settlement was named. First, the name came from the word “baoang” (garlic) which also grew plentifully in the area. Subsequently, the Spanish colonizers changed the letter “o” to “u” thus its present name “BAUANG”. The third version came from the word “buang” which means “river split into two” before flowing into the sea. As it is, the Bauang River is split into two by a delta.

Like other towns in the province, Bauang also had its share in the devastating invasions of Moro pirates (“tirong” in the local dialect). In the stillness of the night, the Moro pirates would swoop upon the town without any warning, killing people and kidnapping women and children only to be sold into slavery. They stole cattle looted the town and broke into the church and robbed it of its silver and gold.

These invasions gave rise to the construction of watchtowers, locally known as baluarte, by the Gobernadorcillo Don Juan Mallare along the coast and at the mouth of the Bauang River. These watchtowers served as a fortress against the invading pirates. It was also utilized as a refuge for the inhabitants who had no time to flee to the hills whenever the pirates were sighted. However, nothing now remains of the watchtower except the traces of its foundation.

Daring exploits of the people’s forefathers, their heroism, dedication, love and commitment to the ideals of freedom in the 1900s were handed down from generation to generation. During the later part of 1890, Bauang residents succeeded in wrestling the town from the tyrannical administration of the Spaniards after fierce and bloody encounters between the “cazadores” (Spanish soldiers) and the “revolucionaios” (Filipinos). The revolucionaros were led separately by Remigio Patacsil and Mauro Ortiz.

In 1913, some barrios of Bauang were assigned to San Fernando, namely: Pagudpud, Pagdalagan, Sevilla, Bungro, Tanquigan and Sibuan-Otong.

During the Japanese occupation, many unknown a unsung sons of Baunag fought gallantly and spilled their precious blood on the beaches of the town, in Lingayen Gulf, Bataan and Corregidor in defense of freedom. Majority of the youth joined the underground movement. They enlisted in the various regiments of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) without any promise of reward or remuneration. Among the many who were executed by the Japanese were Manuel Arguilla, a poet and journalist and Major Alberto O. Fenit of the United State Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). They met their death at the dungeons of Fort Santiago.

The martyrdom and patriotism of Mayor Ambrosio Rimando, elected mayor of Bauang before the outbreak of the war, could be told and retold. He chose not to reveal the whereabouts of his townspeople who were executed in his presence before he himself was beheaded.

Many continued the fight with gallantry and valor in the mountains. Bessang Pass and other battlefields until the country was liberated from the Japanese opressors. Today, there stands at the town plaza a monument dedicated in honor of the fighting soldiers.

In the early 70’s Bauang earned the appellation as the “Beach Capital of the Philippines” because of the calm waters, fine sand and languidly swaying coconut trees along the shorelines of Baccuit Sur to Pagdalagan Sur. A newly discovered “Research Reef” is a favorite dive spot among local and foreign scuba divers.

Bauang also host the South China Sea Regatta, in every other year race participated by the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club.

Bauang is also famous for its delicious grapes and guapples grown in barangays Payocpoc, Santiago, Bagbag and Urayong. The grape industry is an additional income for farmers among the residents in these barangays until imported varieties came in.

By: William Jun Garcia

The (San Fernando) city government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has both agreed to locate the land areas within the city and its extent in terms of damages in an eventual earthquake.

Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega, fresh from an official trip in Canada, said in her “Agay-ayat Kadakayo Amin (Loving You All) regular radio program yesterday that she has signed an agreement with the DENR, who would conduct a Geo-hazard mapping, to find out and analyze earthquake fault lines affecting the city if and when the calamity strikes.

“If there are (earthquake faults), then we would come up with mitigating measures,” she said.

Mayor Ortega has intensified her administration’s drive on disaster management in the wake of calamities happening around the world, including Southern Philippines.

“In two to three months, by then we would know the result of the DENR analysis,” Mayor Ortega added. She added that during a visit to Baguio City, Mayor Braulio Yaranon has told her that there are 22 earthquake faults crisscrossing the Pines City, two of them connected towards two La Union towns, particularly Agoo and Bacnotan.

The city government and DENR also agreed to conduct a hydro geological mapping in the city in order to find out credible water sources and indicate strategic locations of aquifers for wells to be built.

The mapping would also discover sites where there are sudden storm surges. It is remembered that a type of storm surge unexpectedly happened during the onslaught of Typhoon Caloy, where waters unexpectedly rose to greater heights and the seawater current became abnormally strong, causing virtual floods on coastal barangays in northern La Union, particularly the town of Luna. Weather analysts believed that the sudden phenomenon was caused by rising tides.

Although the storm signal from weather authorities did not single out La Union as an affected area during the typhoon, winds caused strong tides to rise, approximately three-story-building high, to the surprise of residents, reports said.

The Mayor added that the mapping would also locate landslide-prone areas of the city. “So hopefully, being prepared will avoid this but in case, we would be ready to bring down any casualties.”

In a related development, 23 graduates from a recently provincial and city-governments-sponsored trainors’ training consisting of participants from local government units were encouraged to form their respective Barangay and Municipal Disaster Response Teams. The six-week training will help residents prepare and apply contingency measures in times of calamities.

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Newly constructed annex of Bethany Hospital, one of the pioneering hospitals in San Fernando City, La Union.

Bethany Hospital, Inc.
Widdoes Street, San Fernando City
2500 La Union Tel # (072) 242-2868/242-0804
Fax # 700-5260
E-mail: bethany@sflu.com

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IT MAY be big business and a steady source of income for marginalized coastal dwellers. But Environment and natural resources authorities have warned that the uncontrolled and indiscriminate commercial gathering of pebbles and sand from seashores or riverbanks seriously endangers nearby communities. They said the heavy depletion of these earth materials consequently weakens the areas that serve as protective barriers against flooding caused by high tide, tsunamis, and other forms of nature’s fury. For this reason, local government officials have been advised by environment authorities to strictly control, if not totally stop such pernicious activities. In fact, mayors in some waterfront towns in Ilocos Region have started to take appropriate action to prevent soil erosion in the coastal villages.

Given this kind of environmental hazard, it seems odd and outrageous that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority has made a pitch for encouraging the export of gravel and sand to other countries as something like a sunrise industry.

We watched with serious disappointment over the past few weeks how some underlings of BCDA chairman Narciso Abaya, former armed forces chief, appear to have made a national laughing stock out of their boss when they tried to cash in on this issue as part of their publicity blitz.

There was this embarrassing press statement attributed to Abaya that the Philippines stands to lose potential earnings of $200 million to $225 million every year from prospective gravel and sand export to Taiwan that would be scooped out of La Union and other Northern Luzon provinces. At first, we wanted to dismiss the press release quoting Abaya as a mere lapse on the part of his rah-rah boys or simply the result of overeagerness to please their boss.

However, the public knows that the Abaya statement was merely part of his ongoing quarrel with business groups in La Union. The province’s business community earlier thwarted an attempt by the BCDA and its subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. to take over the management of the Poro Point seaport and bulk terminal from its current operator.

Abaya suffered a serious legal setback as a result of his rift with La Union businessmen after the court issued an injunction which, in effect, ordered Abaya to respect the agreement signed between the private sector port operator and BCDA long before the agency took over the latter.

Then came the spate of media releases by the BCDA, citing Abaya and some alleged Taiwanese businessmen lamenting the “condition” of the Poro Point port, which is the reason why the Taiwanese can’t scoop out $200 to $225 million worth of gravel and sand from La Union yearly and ship out the construction raw materials to Taiwan.

This PR spin by Abaya is understandable. The way to influence the court to reverse its decision on the BCDA takeover bid is to picture the current operator as inept and ineffective. And to do this, the operator’s “ineptitude” should be quantified and exaggerated—in this case $200 million worth of unsold gravel and sand from La Union and nearby provinces yearly.

The ploy could have worked but those who fed the BCDA chief with the figure may not have done their homework. Everybody is laughing at these numbers. And a La Union businessman gives us the reasons why, after painstakingly making his own computation of Abaya’s figures.

To produce $200 million (P10.4 billion) yearly worth of gravel and sand, 416 million metric tons of such materials should be collected. The assumption here is that the hauling of gravel and sand from La Union would be done five days a week times four weeks per month times 12 months per year for a total of 240 days worth of hauling.

Now, 416 million mt (1.73 million a day) of gravel and sand would mean 416 billion kilograms of the natural resource a year, according to the La Union businessman.

Here’s the funnier part. To haul 1.7 million mt a day of La Union gravel and sand, you will need 87,000 20-mt cargo trucks. Where does one get 87,000 trucks? Assuming you can get that number of trucks for the job, wouldn’t the daily procession of trucks clog the national highway?

Just to give our readers an idea, an average 20-mt truck is 9 meters long, multiplied by 87,000 trucks is 783,000 meters or 783 km. If you line up all those trucks bumper to bumper, they would cover an entire stretch from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte all the way past Naga City in Bicolandia.

Assuming for the sake of argument that the Taiwanese haulers have the physical resources to collect and ship out 1.7 million mt a day of La Union gravel and sand, what about the environmental impact of that activity?

Well, the Taiwanese businessmen can first exhaust the sand at the bed of the Naguilian-Bauang river, but what happens when that runs out? Or, scoop the sand out of the shoreline to meet the $200 million revenue target? BCDA’s revenue projection could spark some kind of a gravel-and-sand version of a California gold rush, you know.

Sources said Abaya might have been unwittingly used in an ongoing power struggle within the BCDA involving a group of presidential appointees reportedly having close ties with a powerful Northern Luzon politician.

But we can only hope that the retired general is not a victim again in this spurt of black propaganda. For this is indeed lamentable. The effort to put the BCDA’s nemesis in a bad light has boomeranged on him.

If the latest faux pas is the handiwork of Abaya’s PR handlers, these guys should be advised to be more careful. A PR blitz is supposed to generate goodwill, not make a clown out of a retired and respected soldier.

Perhaps, it’s time to kick some butt and let heads roll.

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=felMaragay_aug03_2006)

Government’s plan to exploit La Union’s natural resources and export $225 million worth of gravel and sand annually to Taiwan has created an uproar in the legislative hall of San Fernando City and stirred business leaders of the province.

La Union Councilor Ramon Laudencia, who is chairman of the committee on agriculture, natural resources and environmental protection of the Sangguniang Panglungsod of San Fernando, delivered a speech lambasting the initiative of the Bases Conversation Development Authority (BCDA) to help Taiwanese businessmen ship out gravel and sand from the Philippines.

I did not expect that my column last week (entitled Will La Union sink? CA favors Dream Cable) would immediately trigger a response from Mr. Laudencia and concerned La Union businessmen. Below is part of Laudencia’s speech on the issue:

“On the surface, the prospect of exporting ‘very valuable’ resources like gravel and sand would bring about untold economic gains to the province in particular and the country as a whole.

“However, a closer look on the annual cost of the aggregates would reveal the enormous volume of gravel and sand that would be exported annually to Taiwan. $200 million worth of aggregates would translate to at least 400 million tons of gravel and sand each year. This volume is so huge that we cannot help but wonder where it will be sourced.

Economic gains?

“In the province of La Union, it has the Naguilian-Bauang River as the source. But will it be able to satisfy its quota share of the aggregates over the years? Suppose the supply of sand and gravel in the Naguilian-Bauang River is totally depleted, will the situation not put pressure on private contractors/businessmen to get their supply of aggregates from other sources [e.g., hills and mountains]?

“When the object of quarry operations shift to the hills and mountains, then we can expect tremendous environmental repercussions like removal of forest cover, soil erosion and flooding not only in the towns of Naguilian and Bauang but also in nearby localities, the city of San Fernando included. These potential eventualities may bring about huge losses in terms of life, property and livelihood.

“The question now is: Will the expected economic gains far outweigh the potential damage to the environment that the supply of aggregates to Taiwan would bring?”

Standard Today reader and engineer Armand Gonzalez last week echoed the same sentiment. Says Gonzalez: “To give you an idea of the magnitude of such a requirement, it would take 24,338 truckloads a day to move such quantities. If a truck could do eight trips a day, we would be talking of needing something like 3,043 trucks daily. Imagine these many trucks buzzing in and out of the area. What will happen to our countryside?

“Couldn’t all that effort be better put to developing the area for tourism, instead? While the gravel and sand business may generate 10,000 new jobs, how many new jobs would be developed if, instead, 500 tourists arrive daily?”

Businessmen protest

La Union business leaders, meanwhile, signed a manifesto objecting the proposed sand gravel exports to Taiwan. Portions of their appeal read as follow: “The ridiculous proposal of said Taiwanese ‘businessmen’ although highly improbable exposed the true character of some of our government officials who are either taken for a ride by their advisers or who are hallucinating for fat commission.

“First and foremost, these government officials will be committing betrayal and mass slaughter of the people of La Union and nearby provinces if ever they will pressure local officials to toe their line. Their cited income of $200 million annually or more than P10.5 billion means 415 million tons of gravel and sand [at a measly price of P25/ton at quarry site], enough to sink La Union and nearby provinces. This is unimaginable and catastrophic!

“We call on the people of La Union to be vigilant and condemn these dastardly acts in the offing of some of our government officials.”

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandardtoday.com
source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business06_aug03_2006)

By: William Jun Garcia

Some 500 kilograms of seaweeds propagules was re-planted on a one-fourth hectare- seawater during a Seaweeds Culture seminar along the coastal area of former Wallace Air Base here recently.

The activity, which was conducted through the joint cooperation of the Provincial and City Agriculture Offices and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region I, sent some 20 families as cooperators and were trained to propagate seaweeds, scientifically named eucheuma cotonii of the red sea weed variety.

In a report by city agriculturist Rogelio Ordoño, the project has generated some 60 jobs in the area during the event.

The seaweed, according to Dolores Gurtiza and Francisco Valdez, fishery project coordinator and fishery consultant respectively, said that it would be harvestable in 45 to 60 days after planting, depending upon the growth rate.

“The general practice is total harvest, then replant with the younger portions of the harvested seaweed,” Gurtiza said. She added that the average production of one-fourth hectare seawaters in one cycle is 5 tons over one year time. The project has 6 cycles.

The practice of seaweed mariculture was encouraged by the (San Fernando) city government, under Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega, due to its benefit as spawning ground and nursery for fish and other marine lives. It also acts as anti-contaminant, food for sea urchins and is also processed into pharmaceutical products such as medicines food additives and carrageenan. Sometimes it is also eaten raw and processed into nori, a processed ingredient that used as a wrapper in sushi, a Japanese delicacy.

“Marketing of seaweeds is not a problem because the BFAR would buy the harvested products,” Valdez said. He added that if the 1st (planting) cycle is successful, they will convert the planting area into a nursery that would hopefully supply seaweeds products t to the whole Region I with seedlings or propagules. The area in Wallace has a very big potential for expansion due to its clean and clear waters.

The seminar was also graced by City Councilor Pablo Ortega, who is a staunch environment advocate.

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Lon-oy Spring- one of the sources of potable water of San Fernando City is found in San Gabriel. It is located in Barangay Lon-oy, one of the mountain barangays of San Gabriel. The spring is surrounded by lush forest. Catebbegegan falls- is located in Lipay sur, San Gabriel,La Union. Kilat Dam- is a place where you can relax and have fun with your family, relatives and friends.

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The town of San Gabriel is within the eastern most part of the province of La Union. It was formerly called sitio “Baka-Burnotan”, derived from the game of the old folks which means “Binnornutan” or Tug of War. Sitio Baka-Burnotan was the place where people in the nearby sitios gathered daily to graze their cattle to play “Binnornutan.” The games were played among the Christians and the pagan settlers, who belong to the Kankanaey tribe. During the later years, the name “Baka-Burnotan” was shortened to Burnotan.

Sitio Burnotan became the ideal place to settle because of the wide plain along the river and fertile soil. Intermarriages among Christians and pagan settlers greatly contributed to the increase of the population. In April 19, 1897, the Roman Catholic Church, though the late Fr. Redondo, indoctrinate the pagan settlers with Christian teachings. He established a church and introduced the image of Saint Gabriel to be their patron saint. As a result, many of the pagan inhabitants embraced Christianity and many of them were baptized. The people later decided to change the name of the place to San Gabriel in honor of their patron saint.

San Gabriel was made into a township in 1906 under the sub-province Amburayan, Mountain Province with Don Pablo Waggay as the first “presidente”.

In 1920, it became a municipal district of Amburayan. It was in 1922 after the settlement of the boundary dispute between La Union and Mountain Province that San Gabriel became a municipality.

Finally in 1947, San Gabriel was converted into a regular municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 72 issued by President Manuel Roxas through the sponsorship of the former Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco Ortega at the House of Representatives.

Another interesting event that happened in this municipality was the introduction of “Sagrada Familia” (Holy Familia), a subsidiary of the Aglipayan Church. Sagrada Familia was founded by Lorenzo Lok-king, a native of Sabangan, Mountain Province. He first introduced this when he settled in barrio Lipay. Lok-king’s amiable way of virtous leadership gained favorable approval and good reputation among the people. For this reason, many were attracted to settle in this barrio, most of them came from Mountain Province and other parts of the Cordillera. Due to old age, he was not able to continue his mission so he appointed Don Pedro Daoa, Sr. to be his successor.

Due to the influx of migrant settlers from various provinces, the leader of Sagrada grouped these settlers according to their respective tribes and distributed them to different villages within his jurisdiction. The immigrants from Sagrada occupied Lon-Oy; the Bauko-Bagnen immigrants settled in Lipay Este; Itneg immigrants occupied Lipay Norte while the Bago tribes occupied Lipay proper and Balbalayang. The Kankanaey tribe from western Bontoc is now the dominant population of San Gabriel.

The people of San Gabriel during the early days were engaged mainly in highland farming as their means of livelihood. They produced rice, corn, sweet potatoes and other root crops. As years passed by, the crop production decreased due to the massive soil erosion in the uplands. Nevertheless, the inhabitants decided to improve their farming techniques and they started making terraces. The perseverance of the people in constructing rice terraces and irrigation system along the hills and mountains of San Gabriel further increased their productivity.

Tiger grass and banana are also produce abundantly in this town. It has an estimated weekly harvest of soft brooms weekly

La Union Medical Center (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9175784&postcount=67)
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URDANETA CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region introduced on Thursday "Oplan Green Public Highways".

The greening of the Philippine highways would be launched nationwide on August 25.

The launching of the project was held at the Urdaneta City Sports Center. It was led by DENR Regional Director Victor Ancheta with officials of various Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Cenros).

DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, who was then the guest of honor, said "Oplan Green Philippine Highways" was adopted to address the urgent need to intensify the greening of Philippine highways to protect and conserve the environment. He emphasized the spirit of social mobilization through "Adopt a Street" and "Grow a Tree Legacy".

The activity will be done along the 2,176 kilometers of Pan-Philippine Highway from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte to Davao City, Manila North Road from Laoag to Manila, and West Nautical Highway from Batangas City to Zamboanga Sibugay.

In Region 1, the program covers 411 kilometers of paved road passing through the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

During the launching here, Ancheta met with the heads of various agencies. They planned for the smooth conduct of massive tree planting on August 25.

He hoped that the people would participate in the urban greening program. (LCMY/Sunnex)

The operator of a La Union seaport yesterday threatened to sue government officials for attempting to forcibly take over the offices and facilities of the Poro Point bulk terminal in San Fernando City, La Union over the weekend.

Brigido Dulay, legal counsel of Poro Point Industrial Corp., which operates the facility, alleged that armed men deployed by Poro Point Management Corp. and the Philippine Ports Authority tried to take over the Poro Point seaport despite a court order.

The move followed earlier reports that PPMC and parent firm Bases Conversion Development Authority had asked the PPA to seize operations of the port.

PPIC president Emmanuel Moran said the PPA apparently acted on the basis of a letter from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources asking the operator to explain the alleged absence of an environment clearance certificate for the Poro Point port.

Dulay said the armed PPMC and PPA men “had reportedly acted on the request of the BCDA leadership.”

The Poro Point seaport is the object of a legal case filed by PPIC against the BCDA and subsidiary PPMC. The suit stemmed from a board resolution passed by PPMC which sought to pave the way for a takeover of the facility. The La Union business community strongly opposed the move, fearing that it would drive away investors from the region.

The San Fernando City Regional Trial Court, however, slapped BCDA and PPMC with a temporary restraining order and a subsequent writ of preliminary injunction.

The injunction issued by executive judge Victor Viloria last month prevented BCDA and PPMC from implementing its takeover resolution and ordered the agencies to observe the terms and conditions of the earlier agreements signed between the port operator and BCDA.

Dulay said the PPIC was now considering legal action against BCDA president Narciso Abaya, BCDA and PPMC chairman Filadelfo Singson Rojas and PPMC president Felix Singson Racadio.

Dulay said “BCDA and PPMC should be reminded that there is an existing injunction from the court ordering them to maintain the status quo.”

The arbitrary attempt at a forcible takeover of the port during the weekend invited a host of legal suits, Dulay said.

He said his company would also sue PPA “unless it is able to prove that it was simply misled by the BCDA and PPMC in undertaking the forcible takeover.”

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_aug07_2006)

More Poro Point news:
Poro Point Barricaded (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=13837)

Poro Point eyes charges vs. BCDA (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=46644)

A San Fernando City, La Union court yesterday issued a temporary restraining order against the Bases Conversion Development Authority, stopping the agency from forcibly taking over the Poro Point seaport and its bulk terminal facilities.

The court told the BCDA to cease and desist from further alleged infringements of the rights of private operator Port Point Industrial Corp.

Judge Robert Cawed issued the order following a complaint by PPIC in the aftermath of a forcible armed takeover by the BCDA, its subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. and armed personnel of the Philippine Ports Authority.

The Poro Point seaport is currently the object of a legal case filed by PPIC against the BCDA and subsidiary PPMC. The suit stemmed from a board resolution passed by PPMC which sought to pave the way for a takeover of the facility. The La Union business community opposed the takeover, fearing fear that it would drive away investors from the region.

Earlier, a San Fernando City court issued a temporary restraining order and a subsequent writ of preliminary injunction against the BCDA and PPMC.

The injunction issued by executive judge Victor Viloria last month prevented BCDA and PPMC from implementing a takeover resolution and ordered the two to observe the terms and conditions of the earlier agreements signed between the port operator and BCDA.

The takeover followed earlier reports that BCDA and PPMC had asked the PPA to seize operations of the port. PPIC president Emmanuel Moran said the PPA had apparently acted on the basis of a letter from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources asking the PPIC to explain the alleged absence of an environment clearance certificate for the Poro Point port.

PPIC legal Counsel Brigido Dulay said “BCDA and PPMC should be reminded that there is an existing injunction from the court ordering them to maintain the status quo.”

Dulay also warned that the forcible takeover of the seaport and bulk terminal could send strong negative signals to businessmen and investors in the Northern Luzon region that the government does not respect “the rule of law” nor the sanctity of business contracts.

Dulay said the use of massive armed force by PPMC and PPA during the weekend takeover “is a frightening picture of what the government could do when it wantonly disregards the order of the Court for some puzzling political reasons.”

Dulay said “there is no legal basis for the armed takeover.”

PPIC operates the port with a valid contract and the BCDA and PPMC have yet to prove otherwise, he said.

BCDA president Narciso Abaya earlier said only the court could declare the contract null and void.

Dulay warned that BCDA and PPMC “are treading on dangerous grounds by attempting to use the environmental clearance certificate issue in the armed takeover attempt.”

“That may not hold water when they face the legal consequences of their recent move,” he said.
source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_aug08_2006)

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Inquirer
Last updated 02:14am (Mla time) 08/08/2006

Published on Page A13 of the August 8, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAGUPAN CITY—Operations at the San Fernando seaport resumed Monday after the Philippine Ports Authority took over the management of the seaport at Poro Point in San Fernando City on Monday.

Silverio Mangaoang Jr., PPA port manager, said the PPA removed the barricades at the piers and cargo vessels were allowed to load and unload their cargo.

On Saturday night, the Poro Point Industrial Corp., the seaport operator, barricaded the port area to stop the PPA from taking over their operations.

But Mangaoang said the PPA had started removing the blockades at the port’s gates.

“We asked all officials of the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and the PPIC to move out of the area so that we can operate smoothly,” Mangaoang said in a telephone interview on Monday.

But a businessman, a consignee of a shipment at the San Fernando seaport, told the Inquirer that only the operations at Pier 2 resumed on Monday as the barricades at Pier 1 have yet to be removed.

Mangaoang said at least 30 policemen and Philippine Coast Guard personnel were in the seaport to help the PPA implement the order of Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza for the PPA to take over the operations of PPIC.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) to the PPIC after it found out that the company was operating without an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) since it took over the seaport’s operations in 1999.

The CDO was signed by Joel Salvador, regional director of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau.

The PPIC filed for a temporary restraining order at the San Fernando City regional trial court on Monday. The TRO had not been granted as of late yesterday afternoon.

If the TRO will be granted, “we will comply and we will not resist,” Mangaoang said.

He said he wrote Rene Venturina, PPIC port manager, informing him about the legal basis of the PPA’s takeover of the seaport but the guards at the PPIC office refused to receive it.

In an earlier statement, PPIC lawyer Brigido Dulay said a local court issued an injunction last month preventing the BCDA and PPMC from implementing its takeover resolution.

Dulay said the court ordered the agencies to observe the terms and conditions of the earlier agreements signed between the PPIC and the BCDA.

San Fernando City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, in a telephone interview on Monday, said a monitoring team had reported the PPIC’s violations of environmental laws.

“I wrote the PPIC about the violations several times but I received no reply. Then the Mega MMT found out the company has no ECC so I asked (Environment Secretary Angelo) Reyes about the violations,” Ortega said.

She said she would like to know where the cargo vessels dispose of their wastes whenever they dock at the seaport.

“The vessels have people inside them and where do they throw their wastes? Is it at the sea before they dock? Are they making a big sewerage out of the Lingayen Gulf?” she asked.

“We are so concerned about illegal fishing, about waste management and we have a 30-hectare marine sanctuary [at the San Fernando Bay]. Those using the Lingayen Gulf should protect it,” she said.

Ortega said the PPIC did not make arrangements with the city government, which operates a sanitary landfill, about proper disposal of the wastes from the sea vessels.

The mayor has called on the PPA to address the environmental concerns that the monitoring team raised against the PPIC.

“It does not matter who operates the seaport. We will still monitor PPA if it is complying with the environmental laws,” she said.

In his July 25 order, Salvador said a team from his office monitored the PPIC’s facilities after he was informed about the violations uncovered by the monitoring team.

Salvador’s office also found out that the PPIC did not have an ECC, which is a requirement for any environmentally critical project.

The ECC granted to the Poro Point Special Economic Freeport Zone, where the PPIC operates, also called for individual locators within the industrial estate to secure a separate ECC from the DENR before implementing any project.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=13991)

What went before - INQ7.net (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=13992)

By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Poro Point Industrial Corp., operator of the La Union seaport in San Fernando City, yesterday urged two government agencies to obey a temporary restraining order stopping them from forcibly taking over the facility and its bulk terminal.

The company issued the call to state-owned Bases Conversion Development Authority and its subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corp., after they allegedly refused to restore and maintain the status quo at the seaport facility.

The San Fernando court issued the temporary restraining order in the aftermath of Saturday’s forcible takeover of the port offices and facilities by armed groups allegedly mobilized by BCDA and PPMC.

The operation of the seaport is the object of a legal battle following an attempt by BCDA and PPMC officials nullify 1999 contract between PPIC consortium members and the government. The court earlier issued an injunction against the BCDA and PPMC preventing a takeover pending a legal dispute.

PPIC legal counsel Brigido Dulay said it was important for BCDA and PPMC officials “to respect the court order to prevent further escalation of tension in Poro Point.”

“This is a mere business conflict which is now pending in the court. There is no need for BCDA and PPMC to use armed groups,” he said.

Dulay said the apparent refusal of BCDA and PPMC officials to honor the recent temporary restraining order had sent the wrong signal to the international business community.

“If the order of a court is disregarded in favor of a violent armed option, who would want to do business here?” he asked.

Dulay said “there is a proper venue for the settlement of business-related disagreements and conflicts of interest which makes the use of brute force totally unnecessary.”

He warned that BCDA and PPMC “could permanently damage their goodwill with the business and investor community as a result of its disregard for legal processes and the preference for armed intrusion.”

“We share the disappointment of the business community here over the apparent disregard of the BCDA and PPMC officials for the sanctity of human lives, which they have placed in jeopardy by resorting to a violent armed intrusion into the port.”

PPIC called on BCDA president Narciso Abaya to make use of legal and peaceful means and allow sobriety to guide the resolution of the current stand-off at Poro Point.

“We would like to remind BCDA and PPMC officials that they are not above the law and that their wanton disregard for the authority of the court triggered an atmosphere of anarchy which is bad for the business and investment climate,” Dulay said.

“Is this the way to treat the business sector in the Philippines? After investing a substantial amount of money in our business, we are being forcibly kicked out without legal basis,” said PPIC president Emmanuel Moran.

Moran said the takeover was “contrary to the policy of the Arroyo administration of attracting more investors to the country.”

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business02_aug09_2006)

ergit22, post ka din Google view ng La Union.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/poroseaport.jpg

ergit22, post ka din Google view ng La Union.
anong part ng LU? basta ba may hi-res image, ok lang.

anong part ng LU? basta ba may hi-res image, ok lang.
san fernando and agoo..

TENSION is fast building up at the Poro Point in San Fernando City, La Union and there is danger of violence breaking out due to the government’s attempt to take over the privately run port facility there through the use of force.

Newspaper reports said officials and personnel of the Poro Point Management Corp. and Philippine Ports Authority swooped down on the port area over the weekend and tried to take physical control of the facility. They were accompanied by armed policemen and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard. But they were prevented from entering the premises when people from the private port operator, Poro Point Industrial Corp., put up barricades.

This journalist got advanced information Thursday night from Bases Conversion and Development Authority president, retired Gen. Narciso Abaya, that the PPIC was found by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to be operating without an environment clearance certificate, which he said was a ground to revoke its contract to operate the seaport. But we were surprised over the swiftness of the attempt to seize control of Poro Point on the basis of the lack of an environment certificate.

BCDA and its subsidiary, Poro Point Management, are locked in a legal battle with the PPIC, a private consortium, over the management of the Poro Point seaport and bulk terminal.

The long running BCDA-Poro Point Management bid to nullify the 1999 port operation contract awarded to the consortium and to retake the facility has puzzled many investors, local and foreign. They question why the BCDA wants to kick out the PPIC “when it has not committed any violation” and has consistently paid its financial obligation of P50 million or so to the government every year.

The case is now in court, for which reason a preliminary injunction was issued restraining the BCDA and Poro Point Management from disturbing the status quo at Poro Point.

While the legal tussle was raging, Abaya was quoted as saying that “only the Court can declare the contract null and void.”

Our friends from San Fernando City described the entry of armed men into Poro Point last Saturday as “terrifying.” The Philippine Ports Authority was reportedly instructed by Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza to take over Poro Point’s cargo handling operations, including stevedoring, arrastre and special services like bagging, trucking and berth management. Eyewitness accounts of the “assault” on Poro Point say Poro Point Management president Felix Singson Racadio was at the forefront of the deployment of armed police and Coast Guard personnel.

It has broken the hearts of many admirers of Gen. Abaya to note that the former armed forces chief may have needlessly dragged himself into the Poro Point mess. The analysis is that there is a powerful political bloc that badly wants Poro Point. The only way to hand it over to the block, however, is to look for loopholes in the contract and kick out the current operator-investor.

Our friends warned that by trying to junk a valid contract, BCDA-Poro Point Management officials have sent negative and terrible signals to local and international business communities.

The other thing baffling his admirers is why Gen. Abaya allowed the Singson duo—BCDA and Poro Point Management chairman Filadelfo Singson Rojas and Poro Point Management president Felix Singson Racadio—to go their way. We were under the impression that Abaya did not give his blessing to the Poro Point Management resolution drafted by the Singson duo, declaring the Poro Point contract void. This was apparently why Singson Rojas had to take up the matter with the BCDA board when Gen. Abaya was out of the country.

The general’s admirers are also giving him the benefit of the doubt that the Poro Point tinderbox was not of his making. If it were, why was it Singson Racadio who was reportedly manning the forefront during the assault on the port premises?

Abaya’s admirers also hope he could at least summon some courage to stop a potential bloodbath at Poro Point. The situation need not reach this dangerous point because there are such things as courts, legal procedures and human reason. The Poro Point contract cannot be voided by a hail of bullets from armed elements. This is a matter that can be settled in a civilized forum.

* * *

Our column last Thursday, which dealt with the downside of exporting $225 million worth of gravel and sand to Taiwan, drew a rejoinder from Abaya. The BCDA chief cited the alleged failure of the private operator to upgrade the Poro Point port facilities as a stumbling block to fully tapping these exportable construction materials.

Abaya pointed out that the BCDA does not encourage the export of gravel and sand per se. But as an investment facilitator, the BCDA’s position is that if there are products that can be legitimately exported through its facilities, then it will support such activities to generate jobs for the people and additional earnings for the government.

He explained that gravel and sand, if extracted from shallow riverbeds, would help alleviate flooding especially in the surrounding areas of heavily silted rivers. This was the case in Central Luzon after the Mt. Pinatubo explosion when lahar caused the riverbeds to rise to a level that it could not contain floodwaters anymore. Moreover, he said all these activities were subject to environmental regulations. Legitimate quarrying of these materials does not endanger the environment but illegal activities do.

The BCDA head said it is true that the country stands to lose up to $250 million in annual revenues if Taiwan decides to source its gravel and sand from other countries, notably Vietnam. These materials are now being sold at $10 per metric ton and Taiwan’s current demand is 25 million metric tons per year. Taiwan wants assurance of a steady and environmentally sustainable supply of gravel and sand for the next 10 years, and will be coming to the Philippines to ascertain the representation of one province in Central Luzon that it can fully meet Taiwan’s requirements.

Abaya disclosed that there is a bigger delegation from Taiwan that is coming to the Philippines this month to finalize their gravel and sand sourcing. But they are not going to La Union but to a province in Central Luzon, whose leadership is “only too eager to cash in on the deal” because the province is awash with riverbed-grade gravel and sand. Taiwanese businessmen have also identified a private port in Central Luzon as a suitable transshipment point. The Taiwanese are even willing to expand and improve the port to enable it to handle their importation volume.

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=felMaragay_aug10_2006)

A group of German investors yesterday urged the Bases Conversion Development Authority to “exercise prudence and junk the use of armed force” in its bid to expel a private investor from the management and operations of Poro Point seaport and bulk terminal in San Fernando, La Union.

The investors also appealed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to look into the conflict after the assault of armed groups mobilized by the BCDA, its subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. and the Philippine Ports Authority last Saturday on the office and facilities of the port.

The group, led by Juergen Sievers, a German investor and chairman of JS Management Co., said the use of force “to resolve a business conflict is unacceptable in the local and international investor community.”

Sievers had planned to make a multi-million investment in a local company. However, he is now having second thoughts in the wake of the forcible takeover of Poro Point.

He appealed to President Arroyo to look into the row, saying it was sending the wrong signal to investors like him.

Sievers said the BCDA’s bid to expel the current operator, Poro Point Industrial Corp., “should be done using the established and respected processes and mechanisms of the judicial system.”

“I understand BCDA president Narciso Abaya himself said only the courts can declare a contract null and void,” Sievers said. “We are surprised that he did not wait for the court to do so in the case of the Poro Point row and has resorted to the use of force instead.”

Sievers said the Poro Point incident last Saturday “could be frightening both to existing and prospective investors.”

“The message is, if the government wants to confiscate a business enterprise, it would do so with the use of military means rather than legal procedures,” he said.

Conflicts of interest were normal in business, Sievers said, adding that BCDA’s aim of expelling an investor with a valid management contract “is not new nor is it unheard of.” The normal process, however, is to fight it out in court, he said.

Sievers said the Poro Point assault was “a significant event in Philippine business history because here, the government is expelling its own private sector partner using the full force of its armed might.” It would have been different if this were just a case of two private business groups in conflict with one another, he said.

Sievers said “it is imperative for General Abaya and the rest of the BCDA to adopt the more civil methods generally used in the settlement of business conflicts.”

Foreign investors are aware that conflicts are normal in the course of business but they need assurance that there are peaceful and fair means to resolve such conflicts, he said.

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_aug10_2006)

By Tonette Orejas, Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Inquirer
Last updated 00:58am (Mla time) 08/10/2006

Published on Page A13 of the August 10, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE—Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, a close political ally of President Macapagal-Arroyo, is the interested party behind the takeover by the Philippine Ports Authority of the Port of San Fernando in Poro Point, La Union, last week, Inquirer sources said.

The sources, a former official of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and a Palace official, said the port was the “first thing that (the ally) asked of the President early on her term [in 2001].”

The President, according to the sources, gave direct orders to BCDA chair Narciso Abaya to launch the takeover bid despite a court order stopping the government from doing so.

Former BCDA Chair Rogelio Singson was “booted out” of the agency in February 2002 because he failed to deliver on his promise to get the port from the private bulk handling firm, the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), the source said.

Very handy

Singson, according to the source, found it “very handy” to control the port because of his “importations.”

Florencio Padernal, Singson’s successor, was given the same assignment but did not succeed.

The source said this was because the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) came out with several opinions advising the BCDA that it had no valid basis to take over the seaport.

The present board, the source said, used a “flimsy reason,” which was to cite the lack of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) by the PPIC from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as basis for the takeover.

Filodelfo Singson Rojas, chair of the BCDA and president of its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corp., is a relative of the governor.

Singson kin

Several directors at the PPMC are relatives or employees of Singson, who was instrumental in the installation of Ms Arroyo as President in 2001 when he blew the whistle on ex-President Joseph Estrada’s alleged corruption.

Rojas and Abaya were “assigned” by the President recently to ensure that the ally got the port, the source said.

“What (Chavit) wants, he gets,” the source said, to point out how PPIC lost the contract despite a recent OGCC opinion and a temporary restraining order from the court.

The Inquirer tried to reach Singson for comment. His staffer, Jenny Macatieg, said the governor was on his way to Manila and would issue a statement on the controversy.

Macatieg, however, quoted the governor as saying that the port was taken over because of losses incurred by the PPIC.

Singson’s statement on the controversy, however, has not arrived as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

Abaya, in a phone interview on Wednesday, denied he was acting in the interest of Singson.

No orders

He said he did not receive instructions from the President about helping Singson gain control of the port. He said he has not met or talked to Singson.

“That’s not true. Walang habilin (She gave no orders),” Abaya said.

According to Abaya, the issue in this case was the PPIC’s violation of environmental laws.

In San Fernando City, vessels docked at the seaport unloaded their cargo starting Tuesday afternoon after the PPA wrested control over the port.

But Silverio Mangaoang Jr., PPA port manager, said port operations are still far from normal.

The PPIC, which pays the government P50 million a year to operate the port, also tried to send 30 security men and workers to the area but Mangaoang said he was able to talk to them out of their plan. But in the afternoon, PPIC workers again barricaded the piers, he said.

“They are disrupting the smooth operations of the port but we are trying our best to contain the movement,” he said.

Rene Venturina, port manager of the PPIC, said the company would exhaust all legal means so it could continue to operate the port.

Flimsy excuse

“We have a 25-year contract. Just because we lacked the ECC should not be a reason to cancel the contract,” Venturina said.

In a statement, the PPIC called on the BCDA and PPMC to respect the temporary restraining order issued by the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court stopping the agencies from a forcible takeover of the port and bulk terminal.

The PPIC issued the call amid what it called an apparent refusal by BCDA and PPMC officials “to restore and maintain the status quo at the seaport facility.”

PPIC lawyer Brigido Dulay said it is important for BCDA and PPMC officials “to respect the court order to prevent the further escalation of tension in Poro Point.”

“This is a mere business conflict which is now pending in the court,” Dulay said in the statement.

“We call on [Abaya] to resort to legal and peaceful means and allow sobriety to guide the resolution of the current standoff at Poro Point,” he said.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=14383)

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 00:58am (Mla time) 08/10/2006

Published on Page A13 of the August 10, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

MALACAÑANG will review the recent takeover of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) of the Poro Point Seaport in San Fernando, La Union amid reports that this move was masterminded by Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson.

“We will look into that,” said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita when asked to comment on reports that the PPA, upon the prodding of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, forcibly took over the 80-hectare port and industrial complex from Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) last Saturday.

The PPIC, which has a live 25-year contract to run the port and the bulk terminal facility and is on schedule with its annual lease payments, is opposing the takeover as illegal because it was based solely on a cease-and-desist order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The DENR had acted on a complaint by San Fernando Mayor Mary Jane Ortega about the waste discharges from the port in her town’s bay area and found out that PPIC had been operating without an environment compliance certificate since 1999.

The PPIC had obtained a temporary restraining order from the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court last Monday but the PPA refused to budge, raising concerns of a violent ending to the standoff.

The takeover of the Poro Point seaport was allegedly instigated by Singson through the BCDA and its subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), as both agencies are headed by his first cousins and their separate boards filled with other relatives and allies.

Ermita said he was well aware that both BCDA and PPMC had candidates of Singson on their boards but he defended the President’s choices. “The appointees of the President are based on their qualifications but this is not without saying that a fellow such as Governor Singson would not have the opportunity to recommend his own people,” said Ermita.

Singson himself called the Inquirer to refute these allegations as he claimed that the BCDA was merely correcting PPIC’s “lop-sided” contract forged during the Estrada administration where it was allowed to lease the complex for a minimum of P50 million a year.

The takeover was criticized by some La Union officials.

Ramon Laudencia, San Fernando City councilor, said in a privilege speech at the council that the takeover was a serious transgression and a defiance of the regional trial court of the city.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=14384)

san fernando and agoo..
Jadebench, here's Agoo google earth image...
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/agoomap.jpg

...and you can find San Fernando City google earth image in the previous/earlier postings. :cheers:

By Renee F. De Guzman

San Fernando City, La Union (8 August) -- The Bases Conversion Development Authority is bidding out the engineering contract for the expansion and upgrade of the San Fernando Airport in La Union.

The upgrade of the airport is one of the new infrastructure projects mentioned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her State-of-the-Nation Address as part of the country's blueprint for development.

BCDA president and chief executive Narciso Abaya said the initial budget requirement is P203 million for the expansion, would be provided by the agency.

The upgrading will enable San Fernando Airport to accommodate bigger commercial planes such as the B-737s and will help attract more investors and tourists to Northern Luzon.

The set bidding of San Fernando Airport proves that PGMA's plan in the SONA is solid, doable, on track- contrary to the criticism and skepticism aired by some analyst and detractors.

The country has a long way to go to realize the economic vision but everything is doable.

The Philippines is on the right track in preparing the runway for economic take off. (PIA La Union)

By Henry S. Lagasca

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (10 August) -- There will always be doubters as to the transparency and subterfuge of high government officials that has kept ordinary citizens in the dark on controversial issues that are of public concern.

For one, the takeover of the Poro Point seaport last Saturday was reportedly instigated by a close ally of Malacanang, upon prodding the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) through its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) which wrestled control of the said seaport from the Poro Point Industrial Corporation (PPIC), a private investor bulk handling firm operating in the seaport since 1999.

News sources said that Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, because of his "import business", is the interested party behind the takeover of the port of San Fernando.

Singson, in an interview with the media, however, refuted these allegations saying that the BCDA was merely correcting PPIC's "lop-sided" contract forged during the Estrada administration where it was allowed to lease the port complex for 25 years with a maximum of P50-million rental a year.

But BCDA chair Narciso Abaya, however, vehemently denied "he was acting in the interest of Singson".

He said he don't have a hand in helping Singson gain control of the port.

The issue in this case was that the PPIC violated environmental laws and lacks an environmental compliance certificate (ECC). The DENR had acted on the issue when San Fernando Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega reported the wastes discharges from the port in the bay area affecting marine resources. Investigation results prompted the DENR to issue a cease-and desist order.

The PPIC said that the lack of ECC should not be the reason to cancel the contract.

La Union Gov. Victor F. Ortega urged both parties to end the standoff by observing the rule of law to prevent a violent ending to the takeover.

Meanwhile, vessels docked at the seaport unloaded their cargo starting Tuesday under the supervision of the PPA. But Port Manager Silverio Mangaoang, Jr. said port operations are still far from normal due to barricades set up by PPIC workers.

The PPIC, on the other hand, called on the BCDA and the PPMC to respect the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the court stopping these agencies from a forcible takeover of the seaport.

The PPIC had obtained a TRO from the San Fernando RTC last Monday but the PPA refused to budge escalating tensions to the standoff.

PPIC's Rene Venturina said the company would exhaust all legal means so it would continue to operate the seaport. (PIA 1)

A San Fernando City, La Union court yesterday issued a temporary restraining order against the Bases Conversion Development Authority, stopping the agency from forcibly taking over the Poro Point seaport and its bulk terminal facilities.

The court told the BCDA to cease and desist from further alleged infringements of the rights of private operator Port Point Industrial Corp.

Judge Robert Cawed issued the order following a complaint by PPIC in the aftermath of a forcible armed takeover by the BCDA, its subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. and armed personnel of the Philippine Ports Authority.

The Poro Point seaport is currently the object of a legal case filed by PPIC against the BCDA and subsidiary PPMC. The suit stemmed from a board resolution passed by PPMC which sought to pave the way for a takeover of the facility. The La Union business community opposed the takeover, fearing fear that it would drive away investors from the region.

Earlier, a San Fernando City court issued a temporary restraining order and a subsequent writ of preliminary injunction against the BCDA and PPMC.

The injunction issued by executive judge Victor Viloria last month prevented BCDA and PPMC from implementing a takeover resolution and ordered the two to observe the terms and conditions of the earlier agreements signed between the port operator and BCDA.

The takeover followed earlier reports that BCDA and PPMC had asked the PPA to seize operations of the port. PPIC president Emmanuel Moran said the PPA had apparently acted on the basis of a letter from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources asking the PPIC to explain the alleged absence of an environment clearance certificate for the Poro Point port.

PPIC legal Counsel Brigido Dulay said “BCDA and PPMC should be reminded that there is an existing injunction from the court ordering them to maintain the status quo.”

Dulay also warned that the forcible takeover of the seaport and bulk terminal could send strong negative signals to businessmen and investors in the Northern Luzon region that the government does not respect “the rule of law” nor the sanctity of business contracts.

Dulay said the use of massive armed force by PPMC and PPA during the weekend takeover “is a frightening picture of what the government could do when it wantonly disregards the order of the Court for some puzzling political reasons.”

Dulay said “there is no legal basis for the armed takeover.”

PPIC operates the port with a valid contract and the BCDA and PPMC have yet to prove otherwise, he said.

BCDA president Narciso Abaya earlier said only the court could declare the contract null and void.

Dulay warned that BCDA and PPMC “are treading on dangerous grounds by attempting to use the environmental clearance certificate issue in the armed takeover attempt.”

“That may not hold water when they face the legal consequences of their recent move,” he said.

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_aug08_2006)

Arroyo seen key to row in Poro Pt. port (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=14628)

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ARMED personnel of the Philippine Ports Authority stand guard as the agency takes over operations at the Poro Point port. The port operations resumed after a brief standoff, but its private operator is bracing for a long legal battle to fend-off attempts to rescind its contract to operate the port on the basis of environmental charges

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Inquirer
Last updated 03:20am (Mla time) 08/11/2006

Published on Page A14 of the August 11 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAGUPAN CITY—The regional trial court in San Fernando City extended to 20 days the 72-hour temporary restraining order it issued to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and other agencies that ordered them to stop the takeover of the Poro Point seaport.

The TRO, which expired on Thursday, was issued by Judge Robert Cawed against PPA general manager Silverio Sevilla, PPA port manager Silverio Mangaoang Jr., Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and officials of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC).

Despite the conflict, operations at the seaport have been continuous since Tuesday and vessels have not stopped unloading their cargo at the port’s two piers.

Consignees of cargo at the seaport said they were confident that the PPA could control the situation.

“The situation is more stable now as the port’s gates are open and our trucks can enter. In fact, we have more vessels coming in next week,” said Nomer Merfe, operations manager of the Soil Tech Agricultural Products. The firm has two vessels docked at the seaport.

Environment flaw

On July 26, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) to stop operating the Poro Point seaport because of lack of environmental compliance certificate and alleged violations of environmental laws.

Mendoza then ordered the PPA to take over the port’s operations, including stevedoring, arrastre, berth management and special services related to cargo handling.

Silverio Mangaoang Jr., PPA port manager, said the hearing for the preliminary injunction set on Thursday morning did not push through after PPA lawyers walked out of the proceedings. The lawyers cited procedural lapses by the court.

PPIC lawyer Brigido Dulay said that if the PPA refused to honor the new TRO, the company would file other cases against Mangaoang or ask the court to cite him in contempt.

“We are considering several options … But we will exhaust all legal actions if the PPA will continue to defy the order of the court. We hope we are still a country of laws,” Dulay said in a telephone interview.

Court questioned

The PPA cited Presidential Decree 1818 that prohibits courts from issuing restraining orders or preliminary injunction against public utilities operated by the government.

PPA and PPIC officials also denied knowing about the involvement of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson in the takeover.

Mangaoang said he did not know if Singson had a hand in the takeover, adding that he had not seen the governor in the seaport for a long time.

“We have competence in cargo handling,” Mangaoang said.

Rene Venturina, PPIC port manager, said he did not know anything about Singson’s supposed hand in the takeover.

Venturina said the PPIC only wanted to continue operating the port.

A businessman said five trucks servicing the fertilizer companies were vandalized. The windshields of two trucks were smashed, the side mirror of one was broken and the wheels of two others were punctured. With a report from Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=14629)

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BCDA Public Affairs
BCDA
Monday, July 31, 2006

The feasibility study and development plans, as well as the funds, are already in place for the upgrading of the San Fernando Airport in La Union, one of the new infrastructure projects mentioned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her recent State of the Nation Address, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

In fact, BCDA President and CEO Narciso Abaya said they are already bidding out the detailed engineering and design contract for the expansion of the airport, located inside the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone in San Fernando City.

Initial budget requirement for the expansion is P203 million which will be provided by the BCDA. The upgrading will enable San Fernando Airport to accommodate bigger commercial planes such as the B-737s and help attract more tourists and investors to Northern Luzon, Mr. Abaya said.

The detailed engineering design contract will determine the needed physical and navigational aspects of the planned development, as well as the consultant’s deliverables, project cost estimates and detailed plans to enable the airport to accommodate bigger planes.

Some of the major components of the San Fernando Airport Development Plan, prepared by the UP Planades in 2003, are the extension of the runway by 480 meters, relocation and construction of a new control tower, removal of obstructions along the runway approach, and improvement and extension of the current terminal building.

The plan likewise calls for the upgrading of the runway, taxiway and apron pavements, completion of a perimeter fence, expansion of the vehicular parking area, acquisition of a major foam tender firefighting equipment, construction of a water system, upgrading of the power system, and installation of runway end identification lights and precision approach path indicators.

The BCDA is positioning Poro Point as a major entertainment and tourism hub in Northern Luzon because of its strategic location. Aside from the San Fernando airport, Poro Point also hosts a commercial seaport, an industrial zone and an entertainment center.

The current airport is currently served by at least one commercial airliner, Asian Spirit. However, the airport can only accommodate smaller turbo prop airplanes that carry a maximum of 60 passengers, while 737s have a 200-seat capacity.

Poro Point’s vast entertainment and tourism potential is underscored by the fact that La Union boasts some of the country’s finest beaches, and is a mere one hour drive to Baguio City. It is also a short distance away from the famed Hundred Islands in Pangasinan by sea, while the pilgrim towns of Agoo and Manaoag are also close by.

source (http://www.bcda.gov.ph/philnews.asp?item=30513:26:52%20PM)

AS I SEE IT
By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
Last updated 01:47am (Mla time) 08/11/2006

Published on Page A10 of the August 11, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

WHAT can a businessman do if government agencies decide to take over his business illegally? He can seek relief from the courts. But what if the government agencies refuse to obey orders of the court? He is helpless, and the only thing left for him to do is to go to the hills and plot how to get even later on.

That is what is happening at the seaport in Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union, because a politician from a neighboring province wants to take over operations at the port. The port is now closed, ships cannot load or unload cargo because the Philippine Ports Authority wants to forcibly take over the facility but workers at the port barricaded the premises. Ships have to pay $9,000 (P462,780) demurrage fees for each day that they stay at anchorage. The legal operator was able to secure a temporary restraining order from a La Union court, but the raiders refused to obey it and said outright they wouldn't honor it. What is happening is anarchy, and it is being caused by the government whose duty is precisely to see to the orderly enforcement of the laws. Right now, it is brute force that is reigning in Poro Point.

Let me give you a background: The Poro Point seaport, more than 15 hectares in size, was built in the 1960s. It was being managed by the Philippine Ports Authority when it was turned over to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). In a public bidding, the BCDA leased it to a private investor for 50 years. The private investor is Bulk Handlers Inc. (BHI), one of the country's leading and most experienced seaport
operators. It also operates the world-class Batangas Port.

BHI then formed the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), a consortium with Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) and the BCDA. PPIC manages the day-to-day operation of the port.

PPIC paid the BCDA P50 million annually as stipulated by the contract, which also provides that the BCDA will turn over to PPIC 18 more hectares of land for the use of the port. The BCDA did not live up to this contractual obligation. Nevertheless, PPIC continued to pay it P50 million a year.

It was a good deal for the BCDA, but a politician close to the administration wanted to take over the facility. The BCDA, starting in 2000, looked for but failed to find an excuse to declare the contract with PPIC null and void.

Nevertheless, PPMC passed a resolution declaring the 1999 contract between the BCDA and BHI "null and void," paving the way for the physical takeover of the facility. BHI went to court and questioned the move.

The regional trial court of San Fernando slapped the BCDA and PPMC with a temporary restraining order, and then a preliminary injunction. The court ordered the government agencies to maintain the status quo.

The whole government then ganged up on the poor port operator, as though its different agencies were in a conspiracy to kick out PPIC. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declared that PPIC has no Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). PPMC issued PPIC a "cease and desist" order on its operations. Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza ordered the PPA to take over the operations of the port. The La Union police and the Philippine Coast Guard were asked to help enforce the order of the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Finally, armed men were sent in to take over the facility. But the security personnel and workers of PPIC barricaded the port. Nevertheless, the armed men were able to occupy part of the port.

The court issued another 72-hour restraint order on the BCDA et al. but the raiders said they would not honor it.

Meanwhile, four large cargo vessels at the port cannot unload their cargo of fertilizer while smaller vessels cannot load from their warehouses because of the barricades. The intended recipients of the cargo are impatiently waiting for their consignments. The businessmen have asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to intervene and let due process of law take its course and prevent them from suffering huge business losses. But what if the whole thing has the blessings of Malacañang? Could it be true that the President is now a hostage to politicians?

However you look at this, it does appear that some government officials are conspiring to forcibly take over the operation of a legitimate business. BHI and the BCDA have a legal contract. The contract was concluded after a public bidding. There is no irregularity linked to the bidding. PPIC was doing its obligations under the contract even if BCDA has not fulfilled all its obligations. Port operations were going smoothly. There were no complaints from shipping operators.

But suddenly, the government wanted to take over the whole operation and the facility simply because of a missing ECC. PPIC was not given a chance to secure that ECC. Instead, administration officials used Gestapo tactics to grab the port.

Decent citizens cannot but be revolted by this use of brute force against ordinary citizens. Can it be that this is now the real policy of the Arroyo administration? I would like to believe that this is more the work of a cabal of rogue public officials who are mad with power. Will the President do something to prevent this miscarriage of justice?

The motive of the BCDA in trying to kick out an investor is suspect. Why is it obsessed with kicking out PPIC, which has been faithfully living up to its part of the deal while allowing another investor to keep Camp John Hay despite billions of pesos in arrears owed to the BCDA?

source (http://opinion.inq7.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=14608)

REPORTS have it that Narciso Abaya, president of the government’s Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), has resorted to extreme measures in dealing with a major headache, the dispute over the management of Poro Point port.

According to dispatches from La Union, heavily armed men tried to raid and occupy the offices of the Poro Point port and bulk terminal last weekend. They were repulsed by the watchmen of Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), the private company that holds a live contract to manage the port.

His indelicate handling of the dispute has thrown into question the BCDA boss’ leadership abilities and, more important, judgment. Need we recall that it was under Abaya’s watch as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that a multibillion-peso fiasco—involving the disgraced AFP comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia—erupted?

The gunmen were reportedly dispatched by a BCDA subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). The PPMC is said to be controlled by relatives and flunkeys of an Ilocano politician close to the Palace.

The raid came on the heels of Abaya’s request to Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications that the PPA—an agency attached to the DOTC—enforce a takeover of the Poro Point port from the PPIC.

Sources said the raid could have resulted in a bloodbath. Evidently, Abaya underestimated the PPIC’s resolve to stand by its conviction that it possesses a valid contract to operate the port inside the former US naval station. The operator did not blink in the face of the armed threat.

Last Monday a La Union court issued a temporary restraining order stopping the BCDA from forcibly taking over the port. However, Abaya and his underlings reportedly refused to honor the TRO. According to port employees, Abaya’s subordinates merely laughed off the court order. This was also reported by the sheriff who tried to serve it.

How the judge who issued the TRO will respond to BCDA’s brazen contempt of court, nobody can say for sure. What the incident does throw into question is the practice of appointing retired generals to highly sensitive posts in government-owned and -controlled corporations that require tact in handling investor relations.

The Port Point brouhaha began as a business dispute. In business circles, such conflicts are resolved through, perhaps, a technical committee made up of representatives of the protagonists who try to resolve their differences through negotiation. Disputes can also be brought to arbitration whereby a mutually acceptable third party helps to settle the impasse. In extreme cases, the matter is brought to court where either party could seek judicial relief and indemnity for damages.

But never should a business dispute be allowed to degenerate into an armed confrontation. Mao Zedong may have said that power grows out of the barrel of gun—but the Chinese communist leader was no businessman, was he?

And neither apparently is Abaya, who seems to have reached his wit’s end as he desperately tries to put an end to the Poro Point impasse. It is a case where one party refuses to budge and the other is not inclined to stop pushing.

According to published reports, the BCDA is bent on abrogating the contract it signed in 1999 with the PPIC, the private investor that won the bid to operate the port.

The BCDA has yet to take pains to explain why it wants to get out of its contract with the PPIC. The BCDA is rumored to be under pressure from powerful political quarters to do so. To be sure, the rumors remain unconfirmed but what could possibly be motivating the BCDA from getting itself out of a perfectly legitimate arrangement with the PPIC?

What is publicly known is that there has been no violation of the Poro Point contract on the part of the private investor. On the contrary, it is the BCDA that has not delivered several hectares of land it committed to the PPIC under the 1999 deal. Here is yet another case where the government has failed to live up to its part of the deal and now wants to penalize the offended party.

From a business dispute, the Poro Point issue is starting to look like an armed conflict, thanks to the storm troopers dispatched to enforce the BCDA board’s arbitrary cancellation of its deal with the PPIC.

Above all, Abaya’s blunder has sent shockwaves through business circles, locally and worldwide—as the international wire agencies have picked up the issue. The global media will once more report evidence that it is not worth the while of investors to do business in the Philippines—where contracts can be voided at the whim of politicians and business operations can be raided by armed goons.

Investor relations require diplomacy and patience. Rules and laws govern business conduct. Observers thought Abaya knew as much, which was why he never made good on his threat last year that he would take over Camp John Hay from the financially beleaguered CAP group of Bob Sobrepeña, which owed the BCDA P3 billion in arrears.

Those observers were wrong. Last weekend Abaya opted to apply armed might against an investor that does not owe the BCDA a single centavo. In contrast, Sobrepeña continues to enjoy playing golf at John Hay—thanks to the general.

Big blunder, indeed.

source (http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php?news=1408)

By Ayen Infante

08/11/2006

The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) was “pressured” into reversing a study which found no basis for terminating a contract it signed with current operator Poro Point Industrial Corp., BCDA legal counsel Arnel Casanova said yesterday.

Casanova did not identify the source of the pressure but said the individual is “a former BCDA official.”

Investors in Poro Point seaport and bulk terminal yesterday also challenged former Armed Forces chief and BCDA chairman Ret. Gen. Narciso Abaya to reveal the source of the apparent political pressure which led to the forcible takeover of the facility last Saturday.

Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) president Jun Moran said Abaya — who is a native of Ilocos Sur, a province under the control of the current governor, Luis “Chavit” Singson, a close political ally of President Arroyo—is now being made to disclose the

source of the alleged pressure “to clarify the true reason for the violent assault on a legitimate business operation”.

PPIC operates the Poro Point facility on the basis of a 25-year contract it signed with BCDA in 1999.

Moran made the call in the light of the disclosure of Casanova that a former BCDA official had pressured him to reverse a legal study done by BCDA which concluded that there is no legal basis for terminating the contract with the current operator.

It was BCDA lawyers themselves who told Abaya that the contract is valid, Moran pointed out. Because Abaya had ordered the takeover despite the warning of his own legal counsel, the political pressure must really be strong, he added, hinting that presidential pressure could have been at play in the forced takeover.

In a 2004 memorandum, Casanova apparently told Abaya that former Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) head Juanito Antonio told him about the pressure to reverse the BCDA stand on the legality of the private operator’s contract.

“On a number of occasions, lawyer Antonio either called or personally visited me in my office to persuade and convince me to reverse the legal study made by BCDA regarding the contract allegedly due to an instruction from an influential person,” Casanova told Abaya.

PPMC is a BCDA subsidiary. Antonio has been replaced by lawyer Felix Singson Racadio as head of the said agency. Singson-Racadio is a relative of Governor Singson who was reportedly seen in the area during the morning of Aug. 5, Saturday, when the forced entry of armed-men in Poro Point took place.

The revelation by BCDA’s legal counsel about the political pressure and the recent violent take over of Poro Point conveys to the business community that government decisions on business issues are no longer governed by law, Moran stressed.

This has been further aggravated by the BCDA and PPMC decision to ignore an injunction issued by the San Fernando City court stopping them from taking over Poro Point, he added.

The wanton disregard for court orders and the advice of their own legal counsels send us a very frightening signal regarding the conduct of business in this country, he added.

A group of German investors recently urged President Arroyo to step into the Poro Point row amid growing perceptions in the international investor community that “laws are no longer respected in the government’s dealings with businessmen.”

source (http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20060811hed3.html)

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By Ayen Infante

08/10/2006

While the forced takeover of Poro Point in La Union by a group of government-sent heavily-armed men was happening last Aug. 5, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson was witnessed as having arrived in the area and even stayed at Puerto Resort, a private resort adjacent to the terminal.

According to a source privy to the Poro Point take-over, Singson was brought in by his private plane that landed in San Fer-nando, La Union, that morning.

The governor was allegedly seen and heard communicating through a hand-held radio with one of his close relatives who was inside the area giving the Singson instructions to uniformed personnel.

The source added the current chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, the government’s joint venture partner of Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), is Filadelfo Singson-Rojas, while the current president of the BCDA subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) is Felix Singson Racadio. Both are said to be close relatives of the governor.

The source also noted that witnesses during the impeachment of then President Joseph Estrada were appointed as directors of PPMC. These are Emma Lim and Carmencita Itchon who were all employees of Chavit Singson.

The source also confirmed that armed men and other officials who forced their entry in the area were personnel of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and BCDA.

On August 4, 2006, without the benefit of any prior notice to or technical conference with PPIC as required by its own rules and regulations, the environmental management bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) suddenly served a cease and desist order (CDO) dated July 25 2006 against PPIC allegedly for failing to secure a separate Environmental Compliance Certificate ( ECC). The Poro Point seaport project was previously granted an ECC on May 2000.

On August 7, PPIC filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) which was granted by the court. When it was served by the court sheriff, it was defied by BCDA –PPMC saying they are beyond the power and jurisdiction of the courts, he added.

The San Fernando Regional Trial Court Branch 29 issued a TRO halting the forcible takeover by BCDA-PPMC and PPA elements of the seaports facilities. The leadership of PPMC refused to honor and accept the TRO issued by the court resulting in a stand-off and escalation of tension in the Poro Point seaport.

Meanwhile, the BCDA appeared to have ignored the opinion of its own General Counsel who said there is no legal basis for the termination of its contract with private investors Bulk Handlers, Inc. (BHI) which operates the Poro Point seaport and bulk terminal as part of the PPIC consortium.

The BCDA move came despite a court order stopping the agency and its subsidiary PPMC from taking over the facility from BHI.

BHI was awarded the contract for the management of the port by BCDA in 1999 following a public bidding for the project. BHI then formed the PPIC consortium together with BCDA and its subsidiary PPMC.

PPIC president Jun Moran revealed that as early as October 2002, BCDA General Counsel Arnel Casanova had already submitted a comprehensive legal study which concluded that a termination of the contract with BHI would have no basis in law.

Why the BCDA was looking for ways to abrogate a legitimately awarded contract puzzles them to this day, Moran said, adding that Casanova had bucked apparent internal efforts at the BCDA to junk the Poro Point deal. He said a 2004 memorandum by Casanova showed the BCDA counsel’s strong opposition to moves by some BCDA officials to terminate the contract.

“It is the height of irresponsibility to recommend the termination of the contract with BHI,” the Casanova memorandum said.

“As general counsel, I cannot allow the BCDA directors and management to be led blindly to the terrible risk of litigation and prosecution,” the Casanova memorandum added.

In the same memorandum, Casanova inferred at apparent pressure on him to reverse his position that the BHI contract with BCDA is legal and binding. Casanova told BCDA president Narciso Abaya and BCDA chair man Singson Rojas that Juanito Antonio, then president of PPMC predecessor John Hay-Poro Point Management Corporation had conveyed to him the alleged political pressure.

“I have to state that in a number of occasions, lawyer Antonio either called or personally visited me in the office to persuade and convince me to reverse the legal study made by BCDA regarding the BHI contract allegedly due to an instruction from an influential person,” the Casanova memorandum disclosed.

The memorandum also showed that Casanova had clearly warned Abaya and Singson-Rojas on the risk of an illegal takeover of the facility.

“If the BHI contract should be terminated, then let it be due to a clear legal infirmity and factual consideration and after extensive research and study, but never for political expediency,” the Casanova memorandum said.

“I dread the day that our legal opinions will be written to satisfy the whims of the gods of the heavens by risking our Management and Board as lambs to be sacrificed in the altar of political horse-trading,” Casanova warned.

Moran said the forcible armed take over of the port facility has sent strong signals that the BCDA is “willing to disregard court orders and the legal processes just to enforce its will on a helpless private investor”.

The Special Committee on Bases Conversion of the House of Representatives, meanwhile, said it will look into the reported environmental violations committed by the private operator of the Poro Point seaport in San Fernando, La Union and its lack of an environmental compliance certificate which prompted th Department of Environment and Natural Resources to issue a cease and desist order against the firm last Friday.

Rep. Edwin C. Uy (2nd District, Isabela), the committee chairman, said the committee will also look into other possible violations committed by Bulk Handlers, Inc., the private operator of the seaport which is located inside the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone.

For his part, Abaya said the BCDA would fully cooperate with the House inquiry and told Uy that that BCDA would submit a detailed report on the issues regarding Poro Point.

The DENR issuance of a CDO against the Poro Point Industrial Corporation (PPIC), the joint venture company between BHI and the government, prompted the Department of Transportation and Communication to order the Philippine Ports Authority to assume the seaport operations at Poro Point to avoid any service disruption.

Uy, also vice chairman of the House Special Committee on North Luzon Growth Quadrangle, said his committee will try to determine what measures the House could adopt to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Poro Point is a former military base of the United States and is being developed by the BCDA as an investment destination and growth engine for Northern Luzon. However, contract disputes with BHI have hindered the ecozone’s development.

source (http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20060810hed2.html)

Chavit tagged as brains in Poro Pt takeover (http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20060809hed2.html)

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson has dismissed rumors linking him to the ongoing legal battle to wrest control for port operations at Poro Point in La Union, a newspaper reported Friday.

"[This is] a malicious distortion of facts by some people with vested interests," the Philippine Star quoted a statement from Singson.

Singson, however, admitted that Filadelfo Rojas is his cousin. Rojas is chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), a government agency allegedly leading the takeover from Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), a private contractor who won commercial rights to operate the port in 1999.

The Ilocos Sur politician's name cropped up in the legal battle over the port after talk had it that "political figure from the North" wanted to control its operations.

Singson, however, said that his named is being dragged into the controversy. He blamed detractors "detractors, particularly those whose interests [were] adversely affected" by the ouster of ex-president Joseph Estrada.

He added that port operations were given "to cronies through political accommodation."

The governor identified a certain Manny Tan, an alleged crony of the former president, as the one behind what he termed as a "sweetheart deal."

Court issues 2nd TRO

Singson's denial of involvement in the controversy followed a La Union court's temporary restraining order Thursday that stopped BCDA and its subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), from taking over the Poro Point.

Lawyer Brigido Dulay, counsel for PPIC, said the San Fernando, La Union Regional Trial Court issued the 17-day TRO after BCDA ignored the last court-issued order.

PPIC president Emmanuel Moran said cargo vessel operations at the port remain suspended due to a standoff between PPIC and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

"[Operations] are disrupted because our people are being stopped on their way for work," Moran told a radio interview.

"The situation here has not subsided and we are still on standby. The [PPA] is determined to take over our operation," Moran added.

Moran urged authorities to clarify which group has the legal right to operate the port."We welcome anyone who could help in ending the conflict here. We are working under a valid contract," he said.

The standoff between PPIC and PPA officials ignited after Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza ordered PPA to take over the operations of the corporation.

PPMC also issued PPIC a cease-and-desist order on its services.

PPA claims PPIC failed to secure an environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, which is a violation of the corporation's management contract with the PPMC.

PPIC security prevented PPA officials, Coast Guard personnel and armed policemen from entering the port last Saturday.

Moran said they refused to give up the port's operation after the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court issued a TRO. He said a similar court order was also issued Monday.

"We have no other recourse but [to seek legal intervention]," he said. With a report from DZMM

source (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=47107)

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tnx

The Philippine Ports Authority has pulled out its personnel from the Poro Point seaport and bulk terminal in San Fernando, La Union, following a 17-day temporary restraining order issued by a regional trial court.

Poro Point Industrial Corp., operator of the seaport, welcomed the pullout, saying it was “a good sign that the agency was ready to respect the law and the court” and that it would help restore normal operations in the facility.

The PPA move came six days after it deployed armed men in the facility in a bid to expel PPIC from the port. The authority also acted on the orders from Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, who said the takeover was “pursuant to the request of the Bases Conversion Development Authority.”

The BCDA request came in the wake of an ongoing court battle with PPIC over the operation of the port. PPIC holds a 25-year contract for the management of the port.

BCDA earlier sought to nullify the deal but has been stopped by a court injunction.

PPIC president Emmanuel Moran Jr. said San Fernando PPA port manager Silverio Mangaoang had formally informed him that the agency “was formally turning over the port operations” back to PPIC.

PPIC and PPA also jointly notified Poro Point port users that “all existing vessels presently berthed and all incoming vessels will now be handled by PPIC and the Poro Integrated Port Services Inc., the accredited cargo handler.”

Moran said the compliance of PPA to the court order “will now allow the normal and respected legal processes to resolve the questions on the bid of the BCDA to take over Poro Point.”

He said the armed takeover of the port “was unfortunate and totally unnecessary.” Moran also expressed dismay “over the apparent haste exercised by BCDA and its subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corp., to take over the facility despite an ongoing court case.”

“BCDA’s and PPMC’s haste may have unnecessarily dragged the PPA into the fray. It is unfortunate that PPA had been unwittingly used in the internal conflict,” he said.

Moran also urged BCDA and PPMC officials “to follow the PPA example and start obeying and respecting the authority of the court.”

Moran warned that the refusal of BCDA and PPMC officials to honor the recent court TRO was sending a wrong signal to the international business community “that there is no rule of law in the country.”

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_aug14_2006)

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By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Bases Conversion Development Authority president and chief executive officer Narciso Abaya yesterday denied there was political pressure on the agency to take over the controversial Poro Point seaport from its private operator.

“In my entire professional career, including my stint as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, I have never been influenced nor dictated upon by any person or group on how to discharge my lawful duties,” Abaya said in a statement.

“I stand by my earlier statement that only the courts can declare the contract of PPIC null and void. However, the contract is not at issue in what is happening today at Poro Point.”

Abaya said the real issue in Poro Point was the lack of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC), which Poro Point Industrial Corp. should have secured in the first place.

“This is the reason why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a cease-and-desist order against the company. And for as long as the DENR has not lifted the [order], the company should not be able to operate the seaport,” he said.

The BCDA chief said the DENR directive called for a stop in PPIC’s port operations until the clearance was secured.

“There was potential disruption of services at the seaport so the BCDA requested the Philippine Ports Authority, the government agency tasked to manage all seaports, to assume operations. We cannot simply abandon this important government facility and hamper the trade and commerce in Northern Luzon. This is our duty at BCDA,” Abaya said.

He stressed the environmental violations was separate from the question of the legality of the private company’s contract to operate the Poro Point seaport.

He added the order issued by Judge Robert Cawed on Aug. 10 clearly respected the DENR’s jurisdiction over environmental issues.

Earlier, PPIC said the attempted takeover of the seaport by armed personnel allegedly hired by the BCDA and unit Poro Point Management Corp. would send wrong signals to investors.

In a separate statement, PPIC said BCDA, PPMC and PPA were “deliberately misleading the public by insinuating the violent armed takeover of the Poro Point seaport facilities from its legitimate operator was based on an environmental issue.”

PPIC said it had complied with all its environment-related obligations. The clearance, it added, was not a requirement when the Poro Point port was built by the PPA itself in the 1960s.

“PPIC has exercised utmost caution and has adhered to the highest standards on the matter of waste disposal and management. The apparent presence of incremental waste matters on the waters alongside the loading areas is normal in any port operation,” PPIC said.

“They must admit that the ultimate reason is political pressure. This is the reason why BCDA has made the violent takeover despite the warning of its own legal counsel that such a move has no legal basis,” PPIC said

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business02_aug12_2006)

By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Inquirer
Last updated 08:29am (Mla time) 08/15/2006

Published on Page A13 of the August 15, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SEN. Miriam Defensor-Santiago yesterday filed a resolution asking the Senate to investigate the government’s takeover of port operations at Poro Point in La Union.

The administration senator said the takeover was “unconstitutional, illegal and immoral” and reflects a police state.

Santiago, in her resolution, said she wants the Senate committee on environment to investigate the “abusive behavior” of the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Coast Guard and Philippine National Police personnel assigned to La Union.

She made no mention of the allegations the forcible takeover was at the behest of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, who helped depose President Joseph Estrada and install President Macapagal-Arroyo to power.

Earlier reports said it was Singson who pushed for the government takeover. He denied the allegation.

Santiago said the takeover of the private operations of the Poro Point Industrial Corporation (PPIC) and Bulk Handlers Inc. was suspicious because it was in defiance of the temporary restraining order issued by a regional trial court in San Fernando, La Union.

But she said the Philippine Ports Authority, “in a highly questionable and suspicious maneuver” created a PPA-San Fernando Port Services to manage the seaport a day after the EMB “swooped down on the seaport” and served a cease-and-desist-order allegedly due to the lack of an environmental compliance certificate.

She noted media reports that the “suspicious memoranda and notices were served by armed personnel and agents who forced their way into the seaport, resulting in uncontrollable violence and physical injuries.”

“… (T)he incidence of violence and apparent brutal flouting of the rule of law is indicative of a police state or a military state, without any explanation of the legal basis for such unconstitutional, illegal and immoral means,” Santiago said in her resolution.

Lawyer Brigido Dulay, legal counsel of the PPIC, said in a statement that the “hastiness of the release of the CDO makes it highly suspect and evidently was done without due process.”

The statement quoted Dulay as questioning the timing of the CDO, saying it came shortly after the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court issued an injunction against BCDA and PPMC stopping the takeover bid.

“This seems to indicate that the DENR move was just part of the whole takeover plot and may have been meant to circumvent the court order,” Dulay was quoted as saying.

“We have been operating the port for so long. Why is it only now that DENR wants us to stop what we are doing?” he said.

The DENR regional office in Ilocos Sur denied it had a hidden agenda in issuing a cease and desist order against the operations of the PPIC at the Poro Point port.

In the statement, Dulay said the PPIC has “religiously observed the principles and procedures of sound environmental management.”

He said the PPIC has installed a shore reception facility for waste at the pier. The waste deposited in the facility, he said, is regularly collected by the Barangay Poro Garbage Disposal Unit and disposed of at the city’s sanitary landfill.

Dulay also quoted Ric Esteban, an officer of the Environmental Management Bureau, as saying the PPIC needed no separate ECC since the port had been operating since 1982 when an ECC was not required for port operations.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=15295)

ECC issued in 2000 for Poro operations (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=15296)

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Inquirer
Last updated 05:34am (Mla time) 08/16/2006

Published on Page A17 of the August 16, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAGUPAN CITY—Tension remains high at the Poro Point seaport in San Fernando City, La Union as businessmen, their ships docked at the port, continue to lose millions of pesos.

Port operators appealed to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago to include in her investigation the politics behind the government’s attempt to take over the port.

The businessmen sought a return to normal operations to prevent further losses from demurrage fees.

One of the suffering companies is Soil Tech Agricultural Products Corp., which pays P179,725 daily in demurrage fee for a vessel docked at the pier since Aug. 4 with fertilizer cargo. The firm was forced to send its other vessels to the Subic Bay Freeport.

Rene Venturina, Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) port manager, said some of those involved in the takeover bid were reviving charges that PPIC was collecting higher fees.
“That issue, brought out by the Bases Conversion Development Authority in 2000, was already addressed long ago,” he said. PPIC has a 25-year lease contract with the BCDA to operate the port.

“It used to take seven to 10 days to unload 5,000 metric tons of cargo, but it takes us only three to four days. We take care of cargo handling because it is [the port’s] heart and soul. If your services are lousy, they won’t go to your port,” Venturina said.

In a statement, PPIC said it was appealing to Santiago to help ferret out the truth behind the takeover.

Venturina said the firm was ready to present evidence, documents and footage to prove that the environmental violations that it was being accused of were all wrong and were just meant to justify the takeover.

Santiago described the takeover as “illegal, immoral and reminiscent of a police state.”

Brigido Dulay, PPIC legal counsel, said in the statement that the Senate should also investigate revelations made by Arnel Casanova, BCDA legal counsel, about political pressure exerted on him to reverse his study affirming that the lease contract was valid and the takeover of the port had no basis.

Dulay cited records purportedly showing that Casanova had revealed who pressured him to BCDA president Narciso Abaya.

In a memorandum to Abaya and BCDA chair Filadelfo Singson-Rojas, a cousin of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, Casanova said a BCDA director called and visited him several times to pressure him to reverse the results of his study.

Casanova, in his memorandum, said the official told him that the instruction came “from a very influential person.”

Dulay said it was important that the Senate investigation ferret out the identity of the “very influential person.”

Singson, who was key to the rise to power of President Macapagal-Arroyo, has repeatedly denied involvement in the takeover.

The regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources also said it had no hidden agenda in enforcing a cease-and-desist order (CDO) on port operations.

PPIC said the CDO was issued shortly after a court in San Fernando stopped the takeover bid.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=15509)

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Hi. Just curious.. I used to spend summer vacations in La Union as a child. Is Nancy Theater still there? We would also go to the beaches in Bauang. Nalinac Resort comes to mind.

Hi. Just curious.. I used to spend summer vacations in La Union as a child. Is Nancy Theater still there? We would also go to the beaches in Bauang. Nalinac Resort comes to mind.

Hi. Just curious.. I used to spend summer vacations in La Union as a child. Is Nancy Theater still there? We would also go to the beaches in Bauang. Nalinac Resort comes to mind.
^^TheCameraReturns, the building that houses then Nancy Theater is still there standing but the old name has long been replaced by Mar theater,a cinema that features most often than not pinoy sex-oriented films regularly :) . Here's the building>>
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Nalinac (ilocano term for "calm") Beach Resort is still one of the more popular resorts along the famous Bauang beach and actually has added tourism-oriented facilities as years go by. The resort is owned by the Dulays of Bauang, La Union.

Inquirer
Last updated 09:26am (Mla time) 08/16/2006

ILOCOS SUR Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson has welcomed Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s resolution asking the Senate to investigate the government’s takeover of Poro Point.

“That is the best step to be taken and let the axe fall where it may,” Singson said, adding that as a matter of fact, he has written to some senators and requested for the same investigation.

“I do not know why some people insist on linking me to this issue. All I know is that the Poro Point Industrial Corporation is owned and controlled by a certain Mr. and Ms Manny Tan who is a big time rice trader and a very close friend of former president [Joseph] Estrada,” Singson said.

“Mr. and Ms Tan were committed to invest 840 million pesos for the development of the seaport. However, to this date, the PPIC has not undertaken any development project for the past eight years, which is a clear violation of the contract. He gained control over the operation of the seaport in 1999 when Estrada was still in Malacañang,” Singson asserted.

He expressed optimism that a full-blown Senate investigation will unearth all the pertinent facts related to the turnover of the seaport from the BCDA to the Tans.

Poro Point should be managed by the well-qualified and highest bidder that could truly develop and expand its operation and services, which will eventually bring economic prosperity to Region I, if not the entire country, he said in a press statement.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/metroregions/view_article.php?article_id=15541)

Official Statement of BCDA Chairman re: Poro Pt. Controversy (http://www.bcda.gov.ph/philnews.asp?item=30513:02:27%20PM)

By Renee F. De Guzman

San Fernando City, La Union (16 August) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her recent SONA bared a development blueprint that would put the country back in step with the rest of its Asian neighbors by subdividing the Philippines into five super regions, with North Luzon to be known as North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle ( NLAQ).

North Luzon which include Regions I, II, III and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) has 19 provinces with 11.7 million Filipinos or 15% of the country's population. It will prioritize agribusiness investments, which according to President Arroyo is the "strength of Northern Luzon and the strongest way to fight poverty in the country and Asia."

The NLAQ roadmap is expected to boost economic and market potentials in the quadrangle with economies of scale, synergies and complementation that will be more attractive to investors.

To provide direction in the effective and efficient implementation of the super regions, the President designated Cabinet members as "champions."

For the NLAQ, Secretary Arthur Yap, the Director General of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), also the government job creation czar, is the President-designate "champion".

To officially kick off the agribusiness push, Sec. Yap is calling an NLAQ meeting on August 17 at the Leisure Coast Resort in Dagupan City with the development stakeholders from the four regions including the governors, mayors and local government leaders.

According to Yap, the meeting will also jumpstart multi-sectoral and multi-level collaborations and the implementation of 17 major infrastructure projects including small-scale irrigation and farm to market roads.

NLAQ Champion Yap will discuss during the meeting the country's potentials and details of the President's NLAQ plan. He expressed confidence that local government leaders will be able to rev up food production, develop agribusiness lands, build more cold storages, better roads and seaports in the region.

The major projects for the NLAQ cover airports, seaports, roads, irrigation, energy projects and post-harvest facilities. These are Poro Point International Airport (La Union), Lallo Airport Development (Cagayan), Bagabag Airport (Nueva Vizcaya), Itbayat Airport Development (Batanes), Salomague Seaport (Ilocos Sur), Port Irene Rehabilitation and Development Project (Cagayan), Halsema Highway (Mountain Province), Tabuk - Tuguegarao Road Upgrading (Benguet-Mountain Province-Ifugao); Agno River Integrated Irrigation project, Banaoang Pump Irrigation Project and Small-Scale Irrigation projects; the Batanes Wind Power Project, Bio-diesel project (Jathropha) Mega Nursery); Post Harvest Facilities (Cold Chain) project and farm -to-market road projects.

The other "super regions" are the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, Central Philippines Tourism Park and the Mindanao food market. The fifth which the President added is the Cyber Corridor that runs the length of the super regions, to boost telecommunications, technology and education.

The "champions" for the other super regions are Sec. Ed Pamintuan for the Luzon Urban Beltway, Tourism Sec. Ace Durano for Central Philippines, Presidential Adviser or the Peace Process Jesus Dureza for Mindanao and ICT Commissioner Ramon Sales for the Cyber Corridor. (PIA La Union)

By Tonette Orejas
Inquirer
Last updated 01:10am (Mla time) 08/17/2006

Published on Page A16 of the August 17, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE—The plan to take over the Poro Point seaport was discussed in Malacañang on Jan. 24.

Narciso Abaya, president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, made a brief presentation in the meeting of the Cabinet and the National Economic and Development Authority on that day, according to sources and documents furnished the Inquirer.

One of the sources, a former BCDA official still in contact with several BCDA directors, said Abaya presented the legal options through which the BCDA could recover the seaport from Poro Point Industrial Corp (PPIC).

Copies of printouts of the slide presentation made by Abaya were made available to the Inquirer by a Palace official.

The source said Abaya had told the Cabinet and Neda that PPIC’s contract “cannot be declared null and void” in line with the position of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

“Why was (Abaya) asked by the Cabinet and Neda to make such a presentation? There really was an order from the top,” the source said.

A “turnaround” was how he called Abaya’s takeover order to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Abaya confirmed the meeting but denied he had made a presentation or even proposed legal steps.

“I did not even say a word,” he said.

But copies of the slide presentation showed that officials, during the meeting, weighed the options of either renegotiating the contract with PPIC, a joint venture between the BCDA and private firm Bulk Handlers Inc., or terminating it.

BCDA Chair Filadelfo Singson Rojas was also present in the meeting.

According to Abaya, President Macapagal-Arroyo was in the meeting but she cut the discussion short because the lawyer of Poro Point Management Corp., a subsidiary of the BCDA, was “not there.”

“There’s no point discussing this,” Abaya quoted Ms Arroyo as saying. He could not remember the name of the PPMC lawyer.

Divided board

According to the source, several directors in the BCDA’s nine-member board disagreed with Abaya’s decision to have the PPA run the port and get PPIC out in the meantime.

“All along, the BCDA board was consistent with the stand that the (PPIC) contract can’t be declared null and void, consistent with the opinion of the OGCC that it was a valid contract,” the former BCDA official said.

“Basta inoperate na lang ni Abaya (Abaya unilaterally took actions to operate it),” the source said, citing the views of some directors.

Asked if the BCDA had issued a resolution allowing the PPA to operate the seaport and agreeing that the cease-and-desist order (CDO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources warranted the takeover, Abaya replied no.

He said a resolution was “not needed” at that point when the DENR issued the order.

As BCDA president and chief executive officer, Abaya said he had “to look after public interest and seek assistance so that the operations of the seaport would not be disrupted.”

He, however, said the agency’s policies were reached through the “collective decision of the board.”

“Until now, the BCDA still considers PPIC’s contract valid.”

According to him, PPMC, which is chaired by Rojas, was one of “several quarters” seeking to void PPIC’s contract, which was perceived to be “grossly disadvantageous to the government.”

“I have the interest of the BCDA in mind and not anybody’s [interest]. Nobody can pressure me,” Abaya said.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=15674)

AS I SEE IT

By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
Last updated 02:19am (Mla time) 08/18/2006

Published on Page A12 of the August 18, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE Senate committee that will investigate the forcible takeover of the Poro Point seaport should subpoena all the documents and correspondence relating to the port and the consortium operating it. When I had the opportunity to look at those documents, I found many smoking guns that show the motives and the steps taken leading to the takeover.

What the documents indicate is that although officials of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) have long wanted to take over the port, the forcible raid was a last resort, a bungled rush job the justifications for which were made later on. In other words, it was a patchwork of remedial measures, which shows the malice behind their actions.

The BCDA president, retired Gen. Narciso Abaya, said at a press conference that the armed forcible takeover of the Poro Point port was "due to environmental reasons" and a cease-and-desist order (CDO) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). But the documents show that the BCDA and the PPMC are using the environment issue only to circumvent an existing injunction slapped on them by the regional trial court of San Fernando City against taking over the port.

They show that the CDO was hastily issued. The request by the BCDA and the PPMC was received by Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes at 12:20 p.m. of July 25. The CDO was released on the very same day.

Abaya said that the DENR was merely acting on a complaint filed by San Fernando City Mayor Maryjane Ortega. There is indeed an Ortega letter, but this was written on Aug. 1, five days after the DENR issued the CDO. It appears that the letter of complaint was an afterthought -- to justify the issuance of a CDO.

Abaya said the Poro port has no Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). Wrong. The port is covered by an ECC issued by Environment Secretary Antonio Cerilles as early as May 2000.

Abaya said the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) required a separate ECC. Wrong again. The PPIC is not an individual locator but is manager of the facility and therefore requires no separate ECC. This is what the Cerilles order shows.

The supreme irony of this forcible takeover of the PPIC by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) -- at the instance of the BCDA and the PPA – is that they were moving against themselves. The PPIC is partly owned by the two agencies. The PPIC is merely a consortium that is 70 percent owned by the private investor (who put up all the capital and operation expenses) and 30 percent owned by the BCDA and PPMC. If that CDO hastily issued by the DENR against the PPIC were valid, the BCDA and PPMC cannot take over the port. They are part of the PPIC.

If Ortega's complaints were valid, then the BCDA and the PPMC would be equally guilty since they are the co-owners of PPIC.

What is coming out is that there was really pressure from somebody very powerful to take over the PPIC, as BCDA general counsel Arnel Casanova admitted in his letter to Abaya and the BCDA board. Casanova said there was pressure for him to reverse the conclusion of a legal study that there is no legal basis for a BCDA takeover of Poro Point from the private investor.

I am very happy to report, however, that the pressure did not come from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The minutes of a Cabinet meeting on Jan. 24, 2006 proves this. The meeting was called by the President precisely to discuss the Poro Point contract. Her economic managers and BCDA board members were present.

According to somebody who was present at the meeting, the President looked for Gov. Chavit Singson of Ilocos Sur province before the meeting started. "Where is Governor Chavit?" the witness quoted her as saying. "He should be here because I called this meeting precisely to discuss the issues he raised on the legality of the Poro Point contract. 'Di ba. Jun [referring to BCDA and PPMC Chair Filadelfo "Jun" Singson Rojas], 'yan ang usapan natin. Governor Singson's lawyer at least should be here. Kung wala siya, then we better adjourn this meeting."

That's a very big smoking gun showing that it was Singson who raised the issue of the PPIC's contract with the President and that she called a Cabinet meeting to discuss it. Proof that the takeover was not her idea. Whose idea it is, you can draw your own conclusion.

And were retired Generals Reyes (of DENR) and Leandro Mendoza (of the Department of Transportation and Communications) and Mayor Maryjane Ortega used by the BCDA and the PPMC in the plot? Knowing these personalities, they would not have acted recklessly.

* * *

The Sta. Cruz Church in Manila will resound not with religious but popular music today as the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Province of Our Lady of the Assumption, celebrates its golden anniversary with a thanksgiving concert. The show, "50 Years na Kami," will feature the Tiongco Brothers, Marri Nallos, the Crystal Voice of Asia; Juan Rodrigo, the "telenovela" [TV soap] pioneer; and an upcoming classical pop singer,
Christian. Proceeds of the show will go to the S.S.S. Foundation, set up to finance the growing number of our seminarians. For other details, call telephone No. +632 7332978 or 7330245 to 46.

* * *

TODAY'S JOKE: Congressman 1: Have you heard? 'Yung mga pumirma raw sa impeachment complaint nag-withdraw na.

Congressman 2: Syanga? Withdraw na rin tayo. Saang bangko?

source (http://opinion.inq7.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=15871)

By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Inquirer
Last updated 03:03am (Mla time) 08/19/2006

Published on Page A14 of the August 19, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday sought an investigation of what she said was the use for extortion of environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) by officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the wake of a takeover by the government of port operations at Poro Point.

Santiago, in a resolution seeking the investigation, said the takeover was an “arbitrary act” of the DENR Environmental Management Bureau which suddenly demanded an ECC from the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), the port’s private operator.

But Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president Narciso Abaya, who went to the Inquirer office yesterday, said the environmental issue cropped up when an investigating team formed by Mayor Maryjane Ortega, of San Fernando City, La Union, discovered that the PPIC, the port operator, had no ECC.

“For a long time, I have heard unsubstantiated reports that DENR officials in the field are using the ECC requirement as a means of extortion, either by delaying the release of the ECC until the private firm pays a bribe or by granting ECCs despite the disqualification of the applicants in exchange for bribes by private firms,” Santiago said.

Santiago has asked the Senate environment committee to summon top officials of the DENR, the Philippine National Police, BCDA and other officials who were involved in what she described as the “military style” takeover of the seaport at Poro Point.

Santiago, in an interview, said she wants the officials to explain the alleged use of violence by armed police and Coast Guard personnel in shutting down and taking over the operations of a private firm which had a 25-year contract to operate the port in San Fernando, La Union.

Abaya said the armed men during the takeover were members of the PNP.

Santiago, who filed a resolution seeking the inquiry, asked Sen. Pia Cayetano, chair of the Senate environment committee, to start the hearing early next month.

She said that in a Malacañang meeting last January, President Macapagal-Arroyo was exasperated when DENR and BCDA officials insisted that no violence attended the takeover despite photos and video footage showing there was a military-style takeover.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, a close ally of Ms Arroyo, has been implicated in the controversy but he denied a hand in the takeover. He welcomed the Senate inquiry as an opportunity to clear up the mess and his name.

The port continues to suffer as the BCDA asked the Court of Appeals to stop a judge from further acting on at least two civil cases involving the takeover.

The BCDA was joined by its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), in the filing of a petition to stop Judge Robert Cawed, of the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court, from acting on the cases.

The petition also covered RTC Executive Judge Victor Viloria, Bulk Handlers Inc. (BHI), Poro Point Integrated Services Inc. and PPIC.

Speaking on behalf of the petitioners, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel said in a statement that Cawed has “no jurisdiction” on the cases since these were about an “intra-corporate dispute” between the BCDA and PPIC. With a report from Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=16085)

SENATOR Miriam Defensor-Santiago had urged the Senate committee on environment and natural resources to immediately take up her resolution looking into the alleged forced takeover of the Poro Point by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

She wants the committee chaired by Senator Pilar Juliana "Pia" Cayetano to set not later than the first week of September an investigation on the alleged illegal misuse of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of its police powers in taking over the Poro Point in San Fernando City, La Union.

"This scandal should be halted in its tracks, because there are foreign investors in the area, and the use of brute force is bad news in the international business community," Santiago said.

The senator said no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in a meeting in Malacañang, reportedly expressed exasperation over the alleged military-style takeover of the port management from Poro Point Industrial Corporation and Bulk Handlers despite a writ of preliminary injunction issued by the San Fernando Regional Trial Court (RTC).

The injunction prohibits the BCDA from taking over the management of the Poro Point because the DENR served the cease and desist order even without notice or hearing on the alleged lack of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

The Poro Point and Bulk Handlers were stripped off their lease rights covering a 25-year contract on the basis that they had no ECC from the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

But Santiago said the firms were able to secure an ECC seven years ago. She said the takeover due to the lack of ECC was done without due process because there was no notice or hearing to the port operator.

Photos and video clippings taken by the Poro Point and Bulk Handlers showing a military-style takeover by the PNP and the Philippine Coast Guard belied claims of DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes and BCDA President Narciso Abaya that there was no force was used.

The lease contract between the port operators and the BCDA was inked in 1999 and was renewable for another 25 years. It covers 30 hectares at the San Fernando seaport, an industrial area of at least 50 hectares and adjacent possible reclamation area. (REC/Sunnex)

source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2006/08/20/news/senator.smells.something.fishy.in.gov.t.assumption.of.port.management.html)

Written by PMS-PIA
Friday, 18 August 2006

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s development plans for North Luzon kick off as President-designate North Luzon Superregion “Champion” Arthur C. Yap convened last Thursday (August 17) the First North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle (NLAQ) conference at the Leisure Coast Resort in Dagupan City, with the development stakeholders from regions I, II, III and Cordillera Autonomous regions (CAR), including the governors, mayors and local government leaders, in attendance.

As part of President Arroyo’s commitment for the five Superregions to “put the country back in step with the rest of its Asian neighbors,” North Luzon Champion Yap bard ongoing and future projects “that will utilize the richness and full potentials of the North Luzon Superregion.”

President arroyo identified NLAQ for agri-business as its comparative advantage because thirty-seven percent of the national rice production comes from North Luzon; while twenty six percent of corn and sixty-five percent of vegetable are also produced from this area, said Yap. NLAQ is focused to be developed to ensure stable food supplies and prices for the Urban Beltway wherein fifty-five percent of the nation’s GDP is produced, Yap added.

Sec. Yap, also Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General and the government’s job creation czar, stressed the affair officially jumpstarts multi-sectoral and multi-level collaborations to implement President Arroyo’s SONA projects and plans for North Luzon.

He was joined by North Luzon Governors Borromeo Melchor (Benguet), Elias Bulut Sr. (Apayao), Dominador Belac ((Kalinga), Edgar Lara (Cagayan), Vicente Magsaysay (Zambales), Victor Ortega (La Union), Vice Governor Ramon Reyes (representing Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela) and Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim, who where all raring to push the P23-B agribusiness projects and development plans of President Arroyo in the North superregion.

His opening statement was supported by a powerpoint presentation spelling out the various development projects for North Luzon and followed by consultations with local development stakeholders and leaders.

A press conference was also conducted to apprise the media on the PGMA’s plans for the said superregion.

Other dignitaries and agencies which showed undiminished support to the NLAQ projects during the meet were Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. Deogracias Savellano, Mayors Florante Pascual (Lallo, Cagayan),Norberto Rodriguez (Sta. Ana, Cagayan), Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr., Directors Cirilo (DOLE), Leonardo Quitos (NEDA), Fidel Ginez (DPWH), Exec. Asst. Roger Sacyatan and Engr. Edward Liquigan (representing Gov. Maximo Dalog, of Mountain Province), Victor Yap (representing Tarlac Gov. Jose Yap),City Administrator Miguel Lim (representing Tuguegarao Mayor Randolf, Edith Jongo and Emmy Feliciano (representing Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija Mayor Julius Ceasar Vergara), Atty. Solis (representing Pangasinan Governor Victor Agbayani), among others.

He also stressed president arroyo’s vision for North Luzon “to become the food basket not only for the Urban Beltway but to supply the Asian markets as well.”

President Arroyo, in her recent SONA, bared a comprehensive plan that would put the country back in step with the rest of its Asian neighbors by subdividing the country into five superregions, with North Luzon to be known as the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle.

Envisioned to make North Luzon a dynamic and prosperous agri-industrial hub in the country and the whole of Asia, NLAQ is also expected to supply the food requirements of North Asia and penetrate the markets of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

Yap said the NLAQ meeting paved the way for multi-sectoral and multi-level collaborations involving the implementation of 17 major infrastructure projects, including small-scale irrigation and farm-to-market roads. It will mobilize the country’s national and global edge in agricultural productivity and efficiency that hope to match the best areas/regions in Asia, and usher new investments in the fast growing areas in the country.

North Luzon, composed of 19 provinces with 10.3 million Filipinos or 13.5% of the country’s total population, will prioritize agribusiness investments, which, according to President Arroyo, is the “strength of Northern Luzon and the strongest way to fight poverty in Asia.”

In his opening statement and interactive powerpoint presentation, Yap discussed and showed the country’s potentials and direction in accordance with the President’s NLAQ planned projects.

The major projects for the NLAQ cover irrigation, airports, seaports, roads, post-harvest and energy projects. These are the Agno River Integrated Irrigation project, Banaoang Pump Irrigation project and Small-scale Irrigation projects; the Batanes Wind Power project, the Ilocos Norte North Wind Power project, and Bio-diesel project (Jatropha Mega Nursery); Bagabag Airport (Nueva Vizcaya), Lallo Airport Development (Cagayan), Poro Point International Airport (La Union), and Basco Airport Development and Itbayat Airport Development (Batanes); Salomague seaport (Ilocos Sur) and Port Irene Rehabilitation and Development project (Cagayan); and Halsema Highway (Mountain Province) and Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road Upgrading (Benguet-Mountain Province-Ifugao); Post Facilities (Cold Chain) project and Farm-to-Market road projects.

The President recently appointed five Malacañang officials to head the administration’s superregions to spur economic and infrastructure development in the countryside. The other “superregions” are the Luzon Urban beltway, Central Philippines, Mindanao and the Cyberservices Corridor that runs the length of the superregions to boost telecommunications, technology and education.

The champions for the other superregions mentioned in the President’s SONA are Sec. Ed Pamintuan for the Luzon Urban Beltway, Tourism Sec. Ace Durano for Central Philippines, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process jesus Dureza for Mindanao, and ICT Commissioner Ramon Sales for the Cyberservices Corridor.

Sec. Yap led local development leaders in a site visit the following day in Rosales, Pangasinan to see the Agno River Integrated Project, eyed as one of three critical irrigation projects in Northern Luzon. (PMS-PIA)

source (http://pia-ilocos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=189&Itemid=2)

We have money for infra....Sec. Yap (http://pia-ilocos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=2)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/54sanjuancopy.jpg

Dr. Adriel Obar Meimban writes in his book “La Union, The Making of a Province (1850-1921) Page 85, “Three friar chroniclers in 1848, 1892 and 1901 furnish different dates of pueblo foundations. They commonly agree over some cases while in others they have variant dates.” These three friars were Julian Martin, Salvador Font and Elviro Perez.

San Juan is one municipality where these three friars differ in opinion on the dates of its foundation. Martin claimed San Juan was founded in 1806, Font recorded 1803 while Perez claimed it was established in 1585.

Whichever is the exact date of its founding, it is a fact that San Juan was already a town when La Union was created as a province in 1850 and one of the 12 original municipalities that comprised it.

The town of San Juan, formerly called Baratao or Baltao was formally accepted as a Ministerio de Baratao was composed of a federation of settlements of towns, namely the settlements of Bauang, Mapatnag, Allangigan and Dayawan; the settlements of San Miguel de Bacnotan, San Juan Bautista de Baltao, San Guillermo de Dalangdang, San Vicente de Balanac and the settlement named Bona or Boa. The center of the Ministerio was at San Juan Bautista de Baltao, now San Juan.

In 1587, Baratao became the center of an encomienda that belonged to Captain Bernardo Sandi. At that time, Father Agustin Niño arrived and transfered the Ministerio to Bauang. The transfer of the Ministerio from San Juan Bautista de Baratao to Bauang made San Juan an alternative visita (a settlement without a parish priest) of Bauang and Bacnotan. It was only in 1807 that a permanent parish priest was assigned to San Juan.

During the revolution of 1896, the whole town was razed to the ground. After the Spanish-American War, Filipino priest took over the spiritual needs of the parish. Reverend Mariano Gaerlan, a native of San Juan, was the first Filipino priest to be assigned in this town. He supervised the reconstruction of the church that was burned during the revolution. His successor Reverend Eustaquio Ocampo continued the construction of the church until it was finished. At that time San Juan ceased to be a parish. The parish priest assigned in San Fernando took over the spiritual needs of the people. Later in 1918, San Juan became a parish again.

Jose delos Angeles was the first Captain Municipal of San Juan in 1782.

During the Second World War, the entire town of San Juan was devastated. The economy of the town was disrupted. After the War, however, San Juan underwent rehabilitation.

Today, San Juan with a total area of 5,186 hectares is the most sought after municipality in the province for a residential area due to its proximity to San Fernando city. It is also home to world class resorts and hotels along the four kilometer shoreline facing the China Sea. The beaches along Urbiztondo are also ideal for surfing and have been favorite venues for international and local surfing competitions.

Barangay Taboc is also famous for its pottery making industry where clay products ranging from home and garden decorations where the indigenous dalikan (clay hearth) are produced.

Agriculture remains to be the main source of livelihood of the people of San Juan. With an area of 4,968 hectares, 1,765 hectares are planted with rice, 722 hectares with tobacco and corn and the rest are planted with vegetables and root crops. The rest of the total land area is timberland and pastureland.

A 30-hectare land, called Hill 118, in Barangay Urbiztondo, San Juan is also the site of the proposed relocation of the Philippines Air force from the Wallace Air Station.

By Tonette Orejas
Inquirer
Last updated 11:21pm (Mla time) 08/21/2006

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A program called “Dream Cities” is planting seeds of hope for a bright tomorrow, according to Jesus Estanislao, president and chair of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).

The program on good governance and responsible citizenship started six years ago and is composed of the following cities: Calbayog, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Marikina, Naga, Samal, San Fernando in La Union, San Fernando in Pampanga, Sorsogon, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Tangub and Toledo.

They are among the co-conveners of ISA in the “Mahal Ko ang Pilipinas (I Love the Philippines)” conference which will be held at the Philippine Plaza on Aug. 30.

What sets these cities apart is that their mayors have adopted the ISA’s public governance system (PGS), taken from the Harvard Business School, and are trying to make it work.

The mayors and local officials are working with leaders to various sectors to meet their respective cities’ visions and goals.

And this is no temporary setup or token gesture of consultation. Multisectoral coalitions have been created through local laws, ensuring their continuation even with changes in local leadership.

Tracking progress

The coalitions meet regularly to track the progress of the programs of the city governments and sectors.

The dream cities have the following goals: Calbayog is working on being “one island, one people, one culture”; Cebu, the “most livable city in Asia”; Dumaguete, “a center of sustainable development and quality holistic education”; Iloilo, “a premier city”; Marikina, “a world-class city”; and the Island Garden City of Samal, “an urban center in a rural setting.”

San Fernando, La Union, envisions itself to be “a botanical garden city”; San Fernando, Pampanga, “gateway to North Philippines”; Sorsogon, “a progressive gateway to the South”; Tacurong, “most livable city in Central Cotabato”; Tagaytay, “a resort, retirement and character city”; Tagbilaran, “a prime eco-cultural tourism hub”; Tangub, “the agri-business and learning center in Northern Mindanao” and Toledo, “premier and livable city in the west coast.”

Why has ISA focused on cities and enjoined mayors to be PGS fellows?

Firstly, local government autonomy through the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160) has empowered local government units (LGUs).

Secondly, among the LGUs, cities have a “strategic position arising from their being relatively few and their being able to count on more than half of the current population already living in them.” There are 114 cities in the country.

Thirdly, among city mayors currently in office, “a few have shown exemplary commitment to the common good and competence to work effectively for it.”

The results, in ISA’s assessment, have “thus far been positive.”

Every six months

“ISA can get nine new cities every six months. Given the dynamics of political life, with term limits and the election of new city mayors, by keeping the current pace of a few new cities every six months, ISA should be able to maintain, at any given time, between 40 and 60 cities actively connected with its PGS program in the next five years. This number would constitute from a third to a half of all cities in the country,” the institute said.

Extending the PGS to select provinces and towns is being planned as well.

The point is, according to Estanislao, “values of citizenship and governance need to be honored by their observance in the day-to-day discharge of ordinary duties in all facets of life in society.”

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=16491)

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., TJ Burgonio
Inquirer
Last updated 03:30am (Mla time) 08/22/2006

Published on page A13 of the August 22, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

ILOCOS Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, a close ally of President Macapagal-Arroyo, yesterday came out in the open to campaign to rescind a 25-year contract held by a joint venture firm to operate the Poro Point seaport.

Singson, in a government-sponsored forum at the Manila Hotel, said he was campaigning to rescind the contract as the chair of the Regional Development Council in Northern Luzon.

He denied earlier that he was behind the government bid to take over the operations of the port from the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), a joint venture company formed by Bulk Handlers Inc. (BHI) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Lawyer Brigido Dulay, PPIC legal counsel, said forcibly rescinding the 25-year contract at Singson’s behest would damage the credibility of President Macapagal-Arroyo among local and foreign investors.

“It will be viewed as a last-ditch attempt on the part of BCDA to extricate itself from contractual commitments that it cannot fulfill. We urge them not to betray the ethical standards of the legal profession by taking an action that could be viewed as bereft of sound legal basis,” Dulay said in a statement.

Narciso Abaya, BCDA president, earlier said during a visit to the Inquirer that the PPIC contract to run the port was valid, although the PPIC needed to acquire an environmental compliance certificate to heed a Department of Environment and Natural Resources order.

Singson said he has no personal or business interest in the campaign to rescind the PPIC contract, which he described as lopsided. He said his concern was the region’s economic development.

He said he already discussed the issue with Ms Arroyo but won’t say what the President told him.

He said the contract was not bid out during the time of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

But while Singson claimed that BHI was powerful and influential to keep its contract alive even after the ouster of President Estrada, PPIC’s lawyers noted that it was Singson’s relatives that dominate the board and that they have been relentless in pressuring a change in Poro Point management since 2001.

Singson accused BHI of reneging on its commitment to invest P840 million to develop the seaport. But Dulay countered that it was the BCDA that fell short on its promise to deliver 80 hectares of land inside the port complex for development into an industrial complex over the last few years.

Singson said the contract of the PPIC was a “sweetheart deal during the time of former President Joseph Estrada,” whom Singson helped oust on charges of corruption.

The Senate is set to investigate the alleged “military-style” takeover of the seaport in San Fernando by the Philippine Ports Authority, together with the BCDA, Philippine National Police and the DENR, last Aug. 5.

The takeover had been apparently prompted by PPIC’s lack of environmental compliance certificate.

Abaya said that he did not order the PPA to take over the port, but merely asked it “to ensure that no disruptions would happen in the port’s operations.”

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=16541)

Firm says pressure strong for gov't lawyers to void contract (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=16542)

Inquirer
Last updated 11:21pm (Mla time) 08/22/2006

Published on page A14 of the August 23, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAGUPAN CITY—The operator of the Poro Point seaport insisted there was no legal basis to rescind its contract to run the port and said the deal was signed in 1999 by a relative of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, who is now campaigning to have the contract rescinded.

Lawyer Brigido Dulay, counsel of the PPIC, said the opinion of the Department of Justice and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel upholding the validity of the contract still stands.

“If there’s any resolution (to the contrary), it should be made through the legal processes and we, as a company, will honor and abide by the decision. The issue is there is a contract and no court order nullifying the contract. Thus, it is valid and binding,” he said.

Dulay said Rogelio Singson, former chair of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and a relative of Chavit, was the one who signed the contract on behalf of the BCDA in 1999.

He added that when the BCDA and BHI signed the Poro Point deal, the Ilocos Sur governor was still an ally of former President Joseph Estrada.

Dulay said Rogelio Singson was reappointed to the BCDA post when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in 2001. Chavit had moved over to the Arroyo camp by then, Dulay said.

The PPIC counsel said Rogelio Singson was instrumental “in obtaining three stringent reviews of the BCDA-BHI agreement by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).”

All three reviews by the OGCC during Rogelio Singson’s time upheld the validity and legality of the BCDA-BHI agreement, Dulay said.

The deal called for a joint venture corporation which will operate the seaport over a period of 25 years. PPIC became the joint venture company which included BCDA subsidiary Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC).

Rogelio Singson had the agreement pass through OGCC scrutiny not just once but thrice, Dulay said. “This means the agreement is standing on solid ground since it was upheld by the OGCC three times,” he said in a statement.

Rogelio Singson was relieved in 2002 and was replaced as BCDA chair by another relative of Chavit, Florencio Padernal. The current chair of the BCDA, Filadelfo Singson Rojas, is also a relative of Chavit.

Earlier, Dulay appealed to current OGCC head Agnes Devanadera “to respect the three previous opinions of her agency upholding the validity of the BCDA-BHI agreement.”

Dulay aired the appeal to Devanadera in the wake of reports that Devanadera was preparing a reversal of the three previous OGCC legal studies. Dulay said a reversal “would seriously damage the credibility of the government before the local and international investor communities.”

Yolanda Fuertes, Inquirer Northern Luzon

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=16709)

AS I SEE IT
By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
Last updated 00:44am (Mla time) 08/23/2006

Published on Page A10 of the August 23, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

GOV. Chavit Singson of Ilocos Sur province made a surprise appearance at last Monday's Kapihan sa Manila forum to defend his role in the controversial forcible takeover of the Poro Point seaport. It was a timely appearance because the invited guests were lawyer Brigido Dulay, legal counsel of the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), which was the victim of the takeover, and Sen. Manuel Villar, the new president of the Senate, which is to investigate the takeover starting tomorrow. Singson is generally suspected of being the "mastermind" in the attempts to take away the operation of the seaport from the PPIC, a consortium composed of Bulk Handlers Inc. (BHI) a private investor, and the government.

Singson denied that he is the "mastermind" although he admitted that it was he who made "sumbong" to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo about the anomalous PPIC contract which, he said, was awarded (1) without any public bidding; (2) was grossly disadvantageous to the government; (3) the lease rate of P50 million a year is too low because the port was already earning more than that before its operation was awarded to the PPIC; and (4) the PPIC, which is 30 percent-owned by the government, does not pay any dividends to the shareholders.

He also said that the contract provides that BHI invest P840 million to develop the Poro Point Free Port and Economic Zone but seven years later, there is still no development. He told the President about these issues, he said, as presidential adviser for Northern Luzon and as former chair of the Regional Development Council. He denied that he has any "personal interest" in the takeover of the seaport.

Dulay refuted Singson's claims one by one. He said that the port was bidded out during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos (not President Estrada) and that there were several bidders, one of them being R-II Builders; that the contract was advantageous to the government as it is now earning at least a P50-million annual net profit from the port whereas it was making an average profit of less than P30 million when it was being operated by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA); and that in addition to the P50 million, the government is earning another 30 percent of the net profit of the PPIC in recorded dividends.

As for the lack of development, Dulay asked, how can we develop the seaport when the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has turned over to us only 18 hectares of the 84 hectares stipulated in the contract? Documents show that the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) -- the government agency that co-owns the PPIC along with the BCDA and BHI -- formally informed the latter that it cannot turn over the rest of the land because there are claimants (mostly mining companies) who have titles to the property.

Last January, BHI tried to get the BCDA to deliver to it the undelivered parcels of land and warned that it might take legal action if it continued to fail to deliver its commitments.

After that "warning," the PPMC attempted to pass a resolution that the contract was "not valid."

However, the BCDA president, retired general. Narciso Abaya, told this writer in a private interview that he and the BCDA board consider the contract "valid and binding." The private investor was not mollified, however, because Abaya's statement contained a "veiled threat": Abaya said the PPIC contract "remains valid unless the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) reverses itself." What does he mean?

Since 1999, the OGCC has subjected the BCDA-BHI contract to several reviews and consistently concluded that the deal is valid and binding. Does the Abaya statement imply that the OGCC is preparing to reverse its legal opinion?

The OGCC findings of validity and legality were further supported by legal studies made by the BCDA's and PPMC's own legal departments. A few years ago, however, BCDA legal counsel Arnel Casanova blew the whistle and revealed in a letter that there was "pressure" on him "from a very influential person" to reverse the findings of validity and legality. When he did not do it, the Aug. 5 forcible takeover followed.

While conceding that the BCDA-BHI contract was "valid and binding," Abaya passed the blame for the takeover to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which had quickly issued a "cease-and-desist order" to the PPIC because of alleged complaints of pollution of the sea from Mayor Maryjane Ortega of San Fernando City. The Department of Transportation and Communications then ordered the PPA to take over the operation of the Poro port. The PPIC obtained a writ of injunction from the San Fernando court, but the PPA did not honor it. It called on the Coast Guard and the San Fernando police force to help it enforce the takeover. The PPIC obtained another temporary restraining order from the court but the PPA is still in possession and control of the port until now. The port is at a standstill; cargo cannot be loaded and unloaded, and business in Northern Luzon suffers because companies cannot get their shipments delivered.

Singson and Dulay were asked if their parties could talk to each other and arrive at a compromise so that the port could reopen and the businessmen depending on it would not suffer further. They replied that they were willing to talk, and shook hands for the photographers.

As the cameras flashed, Singson said: "This does not mean 'ayos na ang lahat' [everything is all right]. 'Marami pang dapat pag-usapan.' [May things remain to be discussed]."

source (http://opinion.inq7.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=16722)

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 03:56am (Mla time) 08/24/2006

Published on page A14 of the August 24, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

MALACAÑANG has ordered the temporary closure of the seaport at Poro Point in La Union until the Court of Appeals rules on a petition asking for the lifting of a temporary restraining order issued against a government takeover of port operations.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in a briefing, said all vessels docking at Poro Point would be diverted to Subic and there, unload their cargo.

Ermita did not elaborate on the reasons for the Malacañang order, but said it was in line with a cease and desist order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the failure of the port operator, Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), to secure an environmental compliance certificate.

PPIC, a joint venture of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Bulk Handlers Inc. (BHI), said in an open letter to President Macapagal-Arroyo that the CDO issued by the DENR was just part of a ploy to boot BHI out of the port.

It said the takeover of the port by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) “is not about the environment.”

“In fairness to Secretary Angelo Reyes, and the DENR, we noted that the initiative for an environmental order to halt our operations came from the PPMC (Poro Port Management Corp.) and not from the secretary’s office,” said PPIC in its open letter.

PPMC, headed by Felix Singson Racadio, a relative of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, will issue an advisory for vessels entering Poro Point to instead go to Subic, according to Ermita.

Narciso Abaya, president of BCDA, said earlier in a visit to the Inquirer that it was the port’s operations that are causing pollution at Poro Point’s water and air.

He said while he knew that the pollution would continue even if the operations were handled by the PPA, he asked for the PPA help in running the port because a disruption of port operations would translate to hundreds of millions of losses for the region.
At least 70 interisland and ocean-going vessels use the port every month, he said.

Ermita did not say how the government would deal with the losses that Abaya had foreseen and tried to prevent through transferring the port operations to the PPA.

Abaya said all PPIC had to do was acquire an ECC from the DENR because that was what it lacked in its operations.

He can’t elaborate on questions, however, why a takeover of the port operations was the government’s answer to the lack of an ECC by PPIC.

In a visit to the Inquirer on the same day that Malacañang issued the closure order, Singson said he was staking his life and career to have the port contract with PPIC rescinded because it was “disadvantageous” to the government.

Singson said he has no personal interest in rescinding the port contract except for his concern for the economy of the Northern Luzon region. He said he has his own port and does not need the Poro Point for his personal business.

“Poro Point will not be operational until petition filed by the government (DENR) to set aside the TRO (temporary restraining order) is resolved by the Court of Appeals,” Ermita said.

Singson claimed that PPIC obtained a “sweetheart deal” under the Estrada administration to operate the port for 25 years at P50 million a year. Prior to PPIC’s entry, the port earned up to P20 million a month.

PPIC claimed that the DENR and PPA attempts to take over the port were just the latest in the continuing bid of Singson to take over the port since 2001.

Singson admitted it, saying Rogelio Singson, former head of BCDA and a distant relative of his, had been trying to have the contract renegotiated or rescinded “but he was powerless against the BCDA board.”

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=16953)

Chavit presses probe... (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=16954)

Gov't lawyer says no deal review... (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=16956)

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History records show that this municipality used three names interchangeably-CABA, CAVA and CAUA. According to a local historian Pedro Manongdo, two tales have persisted on how the town got his name. One group referred to an incident when a Spaniard asked an inhabitant the name of the place. The youth mistook the question as an inquiry to the name of the animal he was herding and answered “CAVA.” The repetition of the name ended with CAVA and later CABA.

Another story sustained that Caba was the name given by a group of immigrants from barrio Caba, San Carlos, Pangasinan who settled in the community in the later years of the 16th century. In memory of the place where they came from, they named the new settlement CABA.

Caba was founded as a settlement in 1598 by Augustinian Fathers with Don Agustin dela Cruz as the “first man to rule.” The settlement developed into barangay in 1692 with don Luis Manongdo as the cabeza de barangay. It became a town in 1783 with Don Domingo Aragon as gobernadorcillo.

Two other historians however, have claimed different dates on the founding of Caba as a town. On one hand, Father Jose Braganza, SVD claims that Caba was founded in 1745 along with Aringay. On the other hand, Julian Martin clains that Caba was founded in 1844.

In 1903, the Philippine commission reorganized the administrative and territorial set-up of municipalities in the country. Due to meager population of financial difficulties, some smaller municipalities were integrated. Caba was integrated with Aringay while Santo tomas to Agoo.

In 1907, Executive Order no. 41 was issued which provided that Caba be separated from Aringay. The order took effect on January 1, 1908, thus Caba again became a regular municipality with Francisco Sobredillo as Chief Executive.

Caba is the birthplace of Diego Silang, the inspiration and the leader of the Ilocos Revolt of 1762-1763 and is referred to by historians as the “guiding genius of the Iloko war of independence,” “one of the heroes of his race,” “an able military leader,”and other appellations of honor.

During the Spanish period, Silang courageously established an independent rebel government in Northern Luzon and agitated for reforms in and out of the government. However, Spanish authorities resorted to assassinate him with the help of one of his followers who betrayed him with a treacherous shot at his back on May 28, 1763. The assasin’s bullet did not however smother the flame of Silang rebellion. His wife Gabriella took the torch of leadership and by her own right, continued the rebellion heroically. Four months later, she was captured by Spanish forces and was executed publicly in Vigan in September 20, 1763, thus ended not only the heroic adventure of the “Ilocandia’s Joan of Arc” but also Silang’s revolt.

sa pagkakaalam ko, namatay yata yang mayor ng caba?

sa pagkakaalam ko, namatay yata yang mayor ng caba?
yes recently lang, may she rest in peace. heard she was replaced by her VM. old photo file ang nakapost.

A GROWING multi-sectoral coalition that includes 21 cities is not about to throw in the towel on the "Philippine dream."

"Indeed, there is gnawing hopelessness and cynicism that are pushing Filipinos to give up on their country. We blame the President; we blame the government and its people. But we must also acknowledge that our country is also our very own responsibility. We have to face up to the challenge to become truly one nation," said Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, founder and president of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).

Estanislao leads a massive initiative for positive change in public governance "composed of responsible citizens who deeply, truly love their country."

The initiative is expected to gather together leaders of key sectors in society -- the youth, academe, business, media, civic and professional organizations, labor, the Church, and the military -- and officials from local government units (LGUs) to map out 20 to 25-year plans of comprehensive development for the country and for their respective sectors and cities.

Unprecedented in Philippine history, the event dubbed Mahal Ko ang Pilipinas is set on August 30 at the Philippine Plaza Hotel.

One of the highlights is the unveiling of the "Philippines 2030 Roadmap" and the "Dream Cities."

Estanislao admits that it may take three to four generations more for the Philippines to achieve real nationhood.

With proper intervention, however, this dream can be attained in at least one generation or about 25 years -- thus, the 2030 vision.

ISA is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization started work with Dream Cities in 2004. These cities are already in various stages of implementing their comprehensive programs called "roadmaps."

ISA used a Harvard-devised business tool called the "balanced scorecard" and applied it on LGUs to track their progress against a key set of targets.

The result is the Public Governance System (PGS), which not only enables constituents to participate in public governance, but also ensures that programs can be continued regardless of who holds the seat at City Hall.

As of this month, eight cities in the country have been declared "PGS-compliant" after passing ISA's initiation process. These are: Naga City, Marikina City, Calbayog City, Iloilo City, San Fernando City in La Union, San Fernando City in Pampanga, Sorsogon City, and Tagbilaran City. Thirteen other cities are in various stages of PGS institutionalization. Newly initiated are Dagupan, Iriga, Ligao, Panabo, and Tuguegarao City.

"These cities aspire to become places where people dream of living," Estanislao said. "Before 2030, these cities would have achieved the status of being 'Dream Cities' where its citizens live in prosperity in an environment where governance is a shared responsibility between the people and their leaders."

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has recently partnered with ISA to institutionalize the Dream Cities program among its member-cities.

Under a memorandum of agreement that will be signed this August 29, six to nine member-cities will undergo the PGS process every six months to become a Dream City.

Supporting ISA's initiative is the Washington, DC-based Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), a non-profit affiliate of the United States Chamber of Commerce and one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy.

CIPE has supported more than 920 local initiatives in 105 developing countries, involving the private sector in policy advocacy and institutional reform, improving governance, and building understanding of market-based democratic systems.

CIPE programs are also supported through the United States Agency for International Development.

Arriving in Manila to attend the August 30 conference are CIPE chairman Gregori Lebedev, and executive director Dr. John D. Sullivan.

source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/08/28/news/21.cities.sectors.to.unveil.vision.for.philippines.2030.html)

BIG DEAL
By Dan Mariano

In the controversy that has paralyzed Poro Point for nearly a month now, Narciso Abaya, president of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), is caught between the proverbial rock and hard place.

Gov. Luis Singson of Ilocos Sur—along with his kinsmen and allies in the boards of BCDA and the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC)—has been pressing for the nullification of a contract with Bulk Handlers Inc.

The BHI is the private operator of the Poro Point port and bulk terminal on the strength of a 25-year contract. In 1999 the PPMC and the BHI formed a joint venture, Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), to manage the port and build an industrial park in the former US naval facility.

In his capacity as Ilocos regional development officer, Singson has described the PPMC-BHI contract as “a sweetheart deal grossly disadvantageous to the government.”

The BHI insists it has a “live” contract with the PPMC. Even BCDA’s lawyers, notably general counsel Arnel Casanova, could find no legitimate cause to discard the deal—notwithstanding “pressure from an influential person.”

In an interview last Friday, Abaya said moves to cancel the BHI-PPMC contract began “long before I became BCDA president” in 2004. Those moves were foiled time and again by the legal opinion of the BCDA legal department, which maintained the contract to be “valid with some defects, but not fatal.”

Last January the PPMC board of directors—chaired by Filadelfo Singson Rojas, who also chairs the BCDA board—passed a resolution declaring its joint venture with BHI null and void ab initio.

When the PPMC, as a BCDA subsidiary, brought its resolution to its “mother” board, Abaya advised PPMC president Felix Singson Racadio to first get the opinion of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

The OGCC subsequently affirmed the validity of the contract. Abaya said he told Racadio that the BCDA could not endorse PPMC’s bid to revoke the port management deal, unless the government corporate counsel reverses itself on the matter.

Last Friday the retired general again said he will abide by the terms of the port management contract unless the OGCC and/or a competent court finds a legal cause to quash it.

But while Abaya claims to recognize the validity of the contract, the BHI suspects the subsequent charges that it has violated environmental laws were designed to achieve the same objective—kick it out of Poro Point.

Sometime last April Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fer*nando, La Union, ordered city officials to monitor compliance with environmental laws in the entire city, including Poro Point. What the city monitors found at the port, Abaya said, were violations that included discharging wastewater into the sea, petroleum spillage and the storage of coal near the water line.

Ortega cited the PPIC not only for its environmental violations, Abaya said, adding that the city also asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to look into the Poro Point port operations.

According to Abaya, the DENR inspectors found that the PPIC had yet to secure a environmental compliance certificate (ECC) since it began operating. Last August 4 the DENR regional office issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO), directing the PPIC to halt operations until it secures an ECC and complies with environmental laws. The dispute came to a head.

Abaya said he asked the Philippine Ports Authority to take over Poro Point and ensure the continued operation of the port despite the CDO slapped on PPIC. Some 70 vessels berth at Poro Point every month, he said, loading and unloading cargo vital to the Ilocos region’s economy. Also Poro Point employs about 2,000 stevedores who would lose their livelihood if the port stops operating.

On August 5, Abaya said, PPIC personnel barricaded the port gates. BCDA officials notified the PPA, whose operatives disarmed PPIC guards, “in order to avoid the possibility of bloodshed.”

The BCDA also sought the help of the Philippine National Police, which deployed elements of the Regional Special Action Force to disperse PPIC workers who were protesting PPA’s takeover of Poro Point.

Why it had to take police commandos to conduct the dispersal was not made clear. But Abaya did say: “Some scuffling occurred on August 7 and 8. The windshield of a truck was destroyed, but nobody was seriously hurt.”

On August 21 San Fernando Regional Trial Court Judge Robert Cawed issued a temporary restraining order directing PPA to lift its takeover of Poro Point. The 20-day TRO had little practical effect, however.

At about the same time, DENR reaffirmed its CDO stopping PPIC from further operating at Poro Point until it secures an ECC and complies with environmental laws.

On August 25 Cawed issued another order, this time declaring a permanent injunction on BCDA and PPMC from taking over the port and allowing BHI to resume operating.

As of Monday, however, sources said, PPMC officials have refused to honor the bench directive. Result: port operations remain paralyzed. BHI officials, meanwhile, are reportedly planning to ask Cawed to cite BCDA and PPMC in contempt of court.

In the interview, Abaya said that he continues to recognize the PPMC-BHI contract as valid and that he will not allow himself to be coerced into thinking otherwise. “I cannot be influenced by any person in the discharge of my duties,” said the former AFP chief of staff and West Point graduate.

Notwithstanding the bad blood the dispute may have created, Abaya said he was still willing to sit down with BHI and settle their differences. “All they really need to do is to comply with the environmental laws.”

Abaya’s position has infuriated Singson. Last week the governor told reporters—not once, but twice—that the government ought to nullify on its own the contract with the private port operator.

For how much longer can Abaya stand the heat?

source (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/aug/30/yehey/opinion/20060830opi2.html)

BREAKTIME

By Conrado R. Banal III
Inquirer
Last updated 03:15am (Mla time) 08/31/2006

Published on Page B2 of the August 31, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


* * *

All along, said Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president Narciso Abaya, the BCDA took the position that the contract of Bulk Handlers, the private operator of the seaport at Poro Point (La Union), was binding and valid contract.

Thus, when the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the port to stop operations, the BCDA asked help from the Philippine Ports Authority, simply to keep the port running by preventing violence between the warring Bulk Handlers and Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC, the BCDA subsidiary in the Poro Point venture).

That's the only reason for the presence of the police force, said Abaya.

To his mind, the BCDA also could not order PPMC to back off, for instance, by recognizing the validity of the contract, thus allowing Bulk Handlers itself to continue to operate the port, because PPMC is independent from the BCDA.

But did all that work? As far as I know, Poro Point is still closed to business. And it closed because of the "influential person" who wanted to boot out the present operator despite the "binding and valid" contract. That is the bigger problem.

Now, the PPMC president is Felix S. Racadio. The PPMC chairman is Filadelfo S. Roxas, who is also chairman of the BCDA. Guess what the "S" in both their middle initials stands for?

And so despite the court cases, despite the order from Judge Robert Cawed of San Fernando, La Union, for the BCDA (and the PPA) to stop takeover, apparently to allow continued operations at the port, nothing is happening.

From what I hear, former General Abaya wants to get a fighting chance in what is turning out to be a media war between him and Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson of Ilocos Sur province, who recently lambasted Abaya over the Poro Point issue.

Up for bidding, I heard, is a P3.5-million PR campaign for the BCDA for one year.

Meantime, the port is still not running. And so what do we have here – a seaport that's not running and a brand new airport terminal that's not being used? When do you think Malacañang will step in, finally?

source (http://business.inq7.net/money/columns/view_article.php?article_id=18201)

a chapel inside the Agoo basilica

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1371/5299666/10891316/183006732.jpg
www.pbase.com/suplada/travel_ilocos

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1371/5299666/10891316/181257370.jpg

By Dan Mariano
Friday, September 01, 2006
(excerpts)
Is the Bases Conversion Development Authority imploding? Observers—even well-meaning ones—suspect as much after seeing this giant government entity, which overseas the biggest block of state assets, embroiled in one controversy after another.

Last week Gov. Luis Singson of Ilocos Sur fumed at BCDA President Narciso Abaya for allegedly conniving with BCDA’s joint venture partner at the Poro Point port. The governor’s media tirades against Abaya came on the heels of the August 5 takeover of the port, which triggered a series of legal setbacks for the BCDA.

The court has barred the BCDA and it subsidiaries from any adverse action against the private port operator. But Felix Singson Racadio, president of the BCDA subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp., continues to give Abaya headaches by reportedly refusing to honor the series of court orders against PPMC’s forcible takeover of the port.

Now this: a media exposé on an alleged “commission racket” at the BCDA where the official on the firing line has linked Abaya to the allegedly anomalous endorsement of local contractors to the Japanese entities building the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

BCDA Director Rex Chan was accused—anonymously, to be sure—of endorsing project contracts in exchange for a “commission.” Chan fired back at his detractors by saying, “I did not endorse anyone without the endorsement of my boss.”

Early this year Abaya came under fire from investors at Clark over BCDA’s alleged inaction on the issue of special economic zone incentives, which a Supreme Court ruling recently removed from them.

Last year Abaya collided with Robert Sobrepeña’s CAP group over billions of pesos in unpaid lease fees on Camp John Hay in Baguio City. The BCDA threatened a takeover but appeared to have blinked and deferred action.

Is the BCDA then collapsing from within? That may be an unfair assessment, but the BCDA does seem to be more preoccupied fending off controversies—with a reported P3.5-million “crisis PR” budget—than carrying out its mission of catalyzing economic growth in the Ilocos and Central Luzon regions.

The BCDA is not just the custodian of billions of pesos worth of state assets; it also administers multibillion-peso government projects. Its implosion would make it vulnerable to the usual vultures that prey on the people’s money.

All is not lost, of course. Abaya himself can reverse the BCDA’s apparent decline by, above all, exercising effective corporate leadership. As a former AFP chief of staff and West Point graduate, he has the right stuff, which he can tap to restore the BCDA to reputable standing.

Observers still recall that the BCDA oversaw the country’s biggest privatization project—the Fort Bonifacio sale. Dubbed the Deal of the Century, it was consummated without any suggestion of irregularity.

source (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/sept/01/yehey/opinion/20060901opi4.html)

By Peter Wallace

I was recently approached by an overseas company interested in investing in the power sector. There was a lot they needed to know, but their first question was: “Will the Philippine government honor its contracts?” Obviously a very important question, in fact a “go-no go” question. If you can’t be assured of the sanctity of contracts then you cannot invest.

It is the foundation upon which all business is built. Sometimes the “contract” is no more than a verbal agreement between a buyer and seller. A customer pays for a can of sardines, the shopkeeper gives him the sardines. If the customer takes the sardines, but doesn’t pay, he’s broken the contract. If the shopkeeper takes the money, but doesn’t hand over the sardines, he’s broken it.

It is, of course, the simplest of contracts, but it is a contract nonetheless, and the aggrieved party can file a court case for breach of obligation.

As you move up the ladder the contract becomes a written document that grows ever more complex. But the one thing that doesn’t change is that the contract once agreed to by both parties is inviolate. If either party reneges on the deal the other party can sue.

The trouble is that when it’s the government you’re dealing with the odds are against you. Government is just too powerful. One reason, but by no means not the only reason, why a government must be especially careful not to abuse that power.

If a society is to function effectively the government must be a bulwark of rectitude. It must set the example. A contract with a government must be a sovereign guarantee that a government will honor that contract. And so will succeeding governments. The whims of one leader to the next cannot be the basis for honoring or rescinding contracts.

Does the Philippine government honor its contracts? We must start with the Manila Hotel. Now admittedly it wasn’t the administration, but the Judiciary is still part of the government system. It matters not at all to an investor what branch it is, it just matters that his contract honestly entered into is sacrosanct.

For the Malaysian Renong group it wasn’t. Someone else decided they wanted the hotel, so convinced the Supreme Court it was a national patrimony that must be protected, and only awarded to a Filipino—at a lesser cost to boot.

Have you seen the hotel recently? I proposed to my wife in the Champagne Room, the most elegant restaurant in Manila at the time. I wouldn’t be seen dead there now. I’m told they serve buffets in the Champagne Room.

But I digress. Contracts. Here’s a list of contracts the Supreme Court or the administration rescinded or amended.

List of Rescinded/

Amended Contracts

(Year/case/result)

1995/Privatization of Manila Hotel/The SC overturned the winning bid by the Malaysian Renong group as the hotel was said to be part of Philippine heritage and should now therefore be offered first to Filipinos even at a lower cost.

2001/Keppel (Subic shipyard)/The SC declared JG Summit as winner five years after Keppel won the project, saying shipyards are a public utility and should be at least 60 percent Filipino. But shipyards are not in the Foreign Investment Negative List. The decision has now been reversed—but the damage is done and JG Summit is appealing the case.

2001/Renegotiation of contracts with independent power producers/President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the renegotiation of IPP contracts due to insistent public clamor to bring down electricity rates. The objective was to search for government savings by reducing state guarantees offered to IPPs in early 1990s when the country was in serious power crisis. Twenty contracts have so far been resolved resulting in about $1-billion savings for government which, of course, mean $1 billion less than expected for the companies. Four more contracts are still under negotiation.

2002/Philippine International Air Terminals Co. for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal-3 project/President Arroyo declared the Naia-3 contract null and void after the government’s legal office found onerous provisions in the contract. The government later on took over the Naia-3. It is now in litigation in the US and Singapore, and the government has refused to pay a P3-billion bond as ordered by a local court.

2002/Waste-to-energy project with Australian firm Jancom Environmental Corp./Bowing to opposition from various groups, President Arroyo canceled the garbage project five years after its approval. This despite a SC decision declaring the contract “void and perfected.”

2003/Camp John Hay Redevelopment/The SC voided tax incentives granted to Camp John Hay locators.

2004/Western Mining Corp./The SC voided the financial and technical assistance agreement between government and WMC, a 100 percent foreign–owned firm, for a mining project in Mindanao, declaring the FTAA unconstitutional. It later on reversed its decision—but again, the damage has been done—WMC left.

2005/Clark incentives/The SC nullified the fiscal incentives granted to some 300 investors in Clark Ecozone.

Then there are two that are threatened

2006/Poro Point Seaport in Poro Point Ecozone/Poro Point Management Co., an affiliate of BCDA, declared government’s concession contract with the sea port’s operator null and void, saying it’s grossly disadvantageous to the government. It disregarded a court ruling and forcefully took over the port after getting a questionable cease-and-desist order from the environment department.

2006/Mitra Energy’s Malampaya oil contract/Before the agreed upon date of formal contract signing between Mitra and the government, the government amended its earlier Executive Order, effectively nullifying Department of Energy’s previous agreement with Mitra Energy. It is now up in the air.

The worrying part of this is that all but the first two contracts are under the term of President Arroyo. Now it can be argued that some of these cases were legally faulty, such as the Clark ecozone incentives. But this is not something a foreigner should be expected to know. It is something government lawyers should have been aware of, and had corrected. Or warned potential investors about.

It can also be argued that four of these were Supreme Court decisions, but a foreign investor doesn’t make the distinction: It’s the Philippines. And the Supreme Court is a judgmental court, as its often split decisions show, it could, and should take into account the impact on the country overall of its decisions. Not just the technical niceties of the law, that’s for the lower courts to do—or at least that’s how I see it.

One of the worst excuses I’ve heard is that the contract was disadvantageous to government. Maybe it is, that doesn’t matter, a contract is a contract. If government lawyers didn’t get the best deal in the first place, it’s something you have to live with. And learn to be more careful next time.

A sovereign government has entered into a contract, it can’t now be rescinded unless you’re prepared to lose the interest of any other investors. If it was a mistake, it’s a mistake you’re got to live with. The only time where “disadvantageous” can be used is where graft can be proved (not just suspected) or existing laws have been clearly broken.

Maybe there was good justification for some of the cases on the list, however not for all, and it must be for all. More importantly it must be overwhelming justified based on a legal ruling of the contracts unacceptability (although, of course, the Philippine courts, as the above list shows) haven’t been great examples of this. The one that has been at the top of the foreign community’s list for two years now is Piatco. The President canceled the Piatco contract as being onerous to government. Maybe it was, but in a democracy only a court can rescind a contract. The fact that the Supreme Court later did does not absolve the President. She should have asked the Supreme Court to do what it ultimately did, not do it herself. At the very least she should have paid after the expropriation as she promised the foreign business community she’d do.

What message does it send when an elected leader in a democracy can usurp the role of the court? Now maybe it was just an early mistake in a learning curve —but isn’t that what the Department of Justice and other (numerous) advisors are there for: To ensure the President doesn’t make legal mistakes? She’s not a lawyer, she needs to be properly advised. Obviously she wasn’t.

Worryingly, though, it wasn’t the only time. A little later, the government decided the contracts with the independent power producers entered into by President Fidel Ramos gave undue benefit to the companies. So fairer contracts should be negotiated. Maybe the President was right, maybe too much was given away—but they were valid, enforceable contracts. Admittedly, the companies didn’t complain too much, but they had no choice. They were here, their money was sunk, the cost to leave even if they could, was too high. The government took advantage.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit this is a grey one, the IPP’s were maybe benefiting too much. But when you’re a government with all the muscle, you don’t use it, except very, very circumspectly. Otherwise you win the battle, but lose the war.

The government did negotiate a better deal, it did lead to lower prices, but not by much. But what it did do is make potential, new investors much more cautious. How can they work in an environment where the rules (the contract) they thought they’d be working under may be changed.

I would not be surprised if this were one of the reasons there is only one new power plant being built and why there’s been so little interest in the National Power Corp. plants up for privatization. The Philippines, and Filipinos have lost more because of this than any marginal gain made on lowering contract terms.

There are always ramifications to any decision, I sometimes suspect that reality hasn’t sunk in. Too many decisions seem to be made based on the issue at hand, with little consideration for the impact it may have elsewhere.

Right now there are two cases being closely watched, the operation of the Poro Point and the agreement with Mitra Energy to enter into a contract with PNOC to develop the Malampaya oil field.

Maybe there was no contract with Mitra yet, but there was a verbal agreement and commitment made under existing rules. You don’t change the rules of the game at the last minute.

The Mitra affair is one government has to handle very carefully. This is not about legal loopholes, but perceptions. And perceptions, as much as reality drive investment interest.

Already the timing appears suspicious, being just as a contract was to be signed for the type of contract (a farm-in contract) that is perfectly normal in this industry. And if EO 556 is used to block the contract signing the suspicion mounts to near certainty that something’s wrong. If then a local entity enters a new round of bidding the certainty becomes confirmed. This will be another Manila Hotel, and the Arroyo administration needs that kind of reputation like a hole in the head right now.

Everything I’ve read seems to indicate PNOC went through the choice process quite fairly, so stopping that last step would be a serious mistake. A commitment has been made it should not be broken, at least not if this government is serious about growing this economy, not just benefiting a few favored people.

Some years ago I had a new car stolen so I asked my secretary to put in a claim for the insurance. She came back (this was a previous secretary) to sheepishly tell me she’d forgotten to send in the forms to insure the car. I called the manager of Aviva, the company I deal with and told him. He told me he’d agreed with me at a cocktail party he’d insure the car, so as far as he was concerned that verbal commitment was a contract. He paid.

The Philippines needs to be an Aviva. EO 556 should apply only after the Mitra case.

How these are handled will be critical as to whether the Philippines gets the additional power it needs, or doesn’t, or gets investment in any other government–related endeavor.

Stability, continuity, consistency these are the basis for forming a good government. As long as the rules are laid down, and don’t change indiscriminately investors can choose to invest. If the rules change, without very (and I stress “very”) valid justification you can kiss investment goodbye.

So I ask President Arroyo what do I tell foreign investors? Can they invest with confidence, or not? Will their contracts be honored, or altered, or taken from them if someone doesn’t like the way they’re written? Can the government’s word be trusted?

I’d like, I think we’d all like, an answer. One that will stand up in court.

What do I tell this interested investor?

Comment to my columns can be sent to plw@mydestiny.net

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=peterWallace_sept01_2006)

Davao, Makati & Manila most competitive cities

Davao City, Makati City, and the City of Manila rank at the top of the list, as first in “competitiveness” among the major urban centers.

This was based on a survey under the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project spearheaded by the Asian Institute of Management and the United States Agency for International Development.

The competitiveness ranking is based on several criteria including infrastructure development, business environment, corporate practices, quality of life, and responsiveness of local governments to citizens' and business' concerns.

Davao and Makati cities are included in the "big cities" or “metro cities” category. Ranking second in this category was Las Piñas, followed by Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Cebu, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Quezon City, Lapu-Lapu and Pasay. Davao is the country's top exporter of tuna and other marine products, while Makati is home to some of the biggest commercial and financial establishments.

In the mid-sized cities category, Bacolod was on the top slot trailed by Batangas, Iloilo, San Fernando in Pampanga, Cagayan de Oro, Angeles, Iligan, Zamboanga, Calamba, Lipa, General Santos, Baguio, Cabanatuan, Butuan and Tarlac.

In the “small cities” category, or cities whose population is less than 200,000, San Fernando in La Union ranks first, followed by Legazpi in Bicol and Tagbilaran in Bohol.

source (http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/docs/the_good_balita/current/competitive_cities.html)

Inquirer
Last updated 00:57am (Mla time) 09/02/2006

Published on Page A15 of the September 2, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE joint venture firm that operates the Poro Point seaport yesterday said it has documents to prove that two former Bases Conversion and Development Authority officials found the 25-year contract to run the port above board, contrary to charges that it was rigged during the time of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

In a press statement, the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) said documents showed that Rogelio Singson, former BCDA chair and a relative of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, and Florencio Padernal, also former BCDA chair, saw no irregularities in the contract.

“The selection process for a joint venture was as transparent as possible,” the BCDA documents quoted Rogelio Singson as saying.

Padernal, according to the statement, also saw that “there was a proper selection process” in awarding the contract to the PPIC.

Brigido Dulay, PPIC legal counsel, said in the statement that the documents “merely confirm what everybody knows—that the deal...was legal, valid and binding.”

Dulay, in reaction to an Inquirer article on Aug. 31, said the BCDA was now preparing a P3.5 million PR program to force the ouster of Bulk Handlers Inc., the BCDA partner in the PPIC.

The BCDA said the allocation was part of its regular communications program.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=18559)

By: William Jun Garcia

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Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega strongly denounced the Poro Point Industrial Corp.(PPIC) and its major shareholder, Bulk Handlers Inc.(BHI) for allowing the discharging of waste materials directly to the sea by docking ships at the San Fernando Seaport.

Speaking before a Marine Protected Areas workshop, the Mayor said that she has repeatedly asked the PPIC officials to address the problem for years but no action was taken until the controversial disagreement between the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and PPIC.

The Mayor has formed a multipartite monitoring team (MMT) led by City Environmental Officer Valmar Valdez and EMB and MGB staff, and found out that BHI was discharging waste materials in the sea waters.

“I don’t care about the on-going controversies; my only interest is good and responsible waste management at the seaport because it is affecting our marine life,” the Mayor said.

Bases Conversion Development Authority and its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), requested the PPA, through DOTC, to take over the operations at the seaport after a cease-and-desist order was issued against PPIC because it lacked environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The supposed take over by the PPA was stopped by a temporary restraining order from the court after sparking an armed fight between its personnel.

The Mayor has directly sent a written complaint to DENR Sec. Angelo Reyes when Poro Point Management Corporation, a subsidiary of BCDA and PPIC, failed to act on her concerns. It was learned that Reyes deputized some personnel to inspect the area and found out that BHI had no ECC. Its operation at Poro Point has, since, stopped.

She, however, hoped that DENR would only issue a notice of violation not a cease-and-desist -order to stop its operation.

“I had no authority to directly manage the problem; all I can do is to voice out my concerns,” the Mayor said and added that she was asking them to present their own alternative to address the waste dumping until last May “but did not do anything.”

It was also learned that there was no waste dumping arrangement between BHI and the city government.

“Where were they dumping their waste then,” asked the Mayor, who said she has been wondering for the last seven? No wonder because they do not even have an ECC.

Results of the MMT inspections by Valdez showed that ships handled by PPIC discharge their septage directly to the bay; garbage from mechanical operations was scattered in its operating area; coal residue on the site was ankle deep; sea water on site has turned black due to the rains that carry coal residues that has been unscrupulously dumped in the ground. The air in the immediate area is so polluted by dust and other materials that are wantonly scattered and carried by winds.
Based on the water sampling analyses of the monitoring group, Valdez said that toxic chemicals in the seaport waters, particularly lead, oil and grease has increased. They also found the presence of mercury, although, minimal.

By: William Jun Garcia

Mayor Mary Jane Ortega strongly disproved reports that she partly caused the ongoing armed dispute between Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Poro Point Industrial Corporation (PPIC).

Bases Conversion Development Authority and its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), requested the PPA, through DOTC, to take over the operations at the seaport after a cease-and-desist order was issued against PPIC because it lacked the requisite environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The supposed take over by the PPA was stopped by a temporary restraining order from the court after sparking an armed fight between its personnel.

The Mayor earlier wrote a letter of complaint to DENR Sec. Angelo Reyes, citing the PPIC and its majority shareholder, Bulk Handlers Inc (BHI) for violation of environmental laws at the seaport.

Several of the ships handled by PPIC and BHI who dock at the seaport directly discharge septage and other waste at the San Fernando Bay, as shown by the Multipartite Monitoring Team deputized by the Mayor..

She also requested PPMC to act on the complaint but to no avail, as a result, she directly wrote the letter to Reyes.

“I commend Secretary Reyes for prompt action on my letter of complaint,” the Mayor said. However, she understood DENR’s action of a cease and desist order because a notice of violation to an ECC could not be issued since PPIC has had no ECC for seven years.

It was also learned that she invited PPMC and PPIC officials last April and May to present the findings but no action was taken. ”PPIC did not listen,” she said.

The Mayor added that she had shown them proof of violation last April through pictures and videos taken by the DENR and MMT led by City Environmental Officer Valmar Valdez and EMB and MGB personnel, and were told to act on the problem.

She, however, asked why the DENR issued a cease-and-desist-order instead of a Notice of Violation of the ECC to the PPIC. She is saddened for the local workers who lost jobs because of the disagreement.

“I asked about what will happen to the ships going in the seaport, they told me that PPA would take over,” she explained.

“We are running after illegal fishers, which I consider small business men, why should we not run after big businessmen who are not friendly to our environment,” she asked, “Is it my fault if PPIC did not follow the environmental law?” and added that “we cannot close our eyes on violators.”

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Inquirer
Last updated 00:56am (Mla time) 09/03/2006

Published on Page A14 of the September 3, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAGUPAN CITY—The head of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) yesterday said the controversy over the operations of the Poro Point seaport complex could be resolved only through legal means.

Abaya, in a statement on Friday, urged the parties concerned to stop fighting through the media and allow the courts to settle the impasse.

He said the issue was already with the Court of Appeals (CA).

The BCDA, its subsidiary the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) and the Philippine Ports Authority have a pending petition at the CA to nullify the temporary restraining order and injunction issued by Judge Robert Cawed of the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court in connection with the Poro Point dispute.

Abaya said he was also concerned about media statements urging him to direct PPMC officials to follow the order issued by the La Union court.

“At this point, no amount of pressure and bullying can make the BCDA act unilaterally on the Poro Point issue. We will wait for the CA to decide, and we shall abide by whatever decision the CA will make,” he said.

“Our courts have the requisite powers to implement their decisions. It is not for the BCDA to implement the court orders as some parties would like us to do.”

Other projects

Since the matter is pending before the courts, the BCDA is focusing on more urgent and pressing matters such as the supervision of ongoing projects like the P21-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, he said.

The controversy over the Poro Point seaport in San Fernando City continues as the seaport operator refuses to acquire an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Joel Salvador, regional director of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, has advised the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), which has a 25-year contract to run the seaport, to apply for an ECC so his agency could lift the cease-and-desist order (CDO) it issued to the company.

“All the PPIC has to do is to apply for an ECC and [if it is approved], the CDO will be lifted,” Salvador said.

But the PPIC was adamant in its claim that it was covered by the ECC given to the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone in 2000.

Violation

PPIC lawyer Brigido Dulay said the DENR should lift the CDO first, and “if there are issues on ECC, we will comply.”

“Our contention is there is an ECC and that the PPIC has no environmental violations. The violation was committed by a locator (Saturn Cement Marketing Corp.),” he said in a telephone interview.

Last week, a team from the EMB led by Salvador conducted monitoring activities at the seaport. Five Taiwanese vessels were found docked at the seaport during the inspections.

A PPIC lawyer said the vessels were given berthing permits.

Salvador said he was consulting with DENR lawyers on the filing of cases against the PPIC for allowing vessels to berth at the seaport despite the CDO.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=18664)

Inquirer
Last updated 00:56am (Mla time) 09/03/2006

Published on Page A14 of the September 3, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

ILOCOS Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson yesterday deplored what he said was an “apparent attempt by some quarters to justify the anomalous transaction” and reiterated his call for the contract to be rescinded and rebid.

“How can it be above board when there was no bidding?” asked Singson in a press statement sent to the Inquirer.

“How can it be okay when only an agreement, not a contract, was signed giving the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) complete control of the entire Poro Point seaport complex for an annual fee of P50 million, an amount much less than what the seaport was earning?”

Earlier, the PPIC, through its legal counsel lawyer Bridigo Dulay, said it has documents to prove that the 25-year contract to run the port awarded to the PPIC was above board, quoting two former chairs of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

In his statement, Singson said if government lawyers and officials of the BCDA were “trying to justify this anomaly,” senators and congressmen “whose integrity is above question should conduct an investigation and determine the circumstances of the management transfer.”

“I would like the proper authorities to rescind the agreement, conduct a public bidding and award the port management to the highest bidder,” said Singson in his statement.

During a visit to the Inquirer, Singson said the contract was a “sweetheart deal” entered into by the government with the Bulk Handlers Inc. (BHI), the private firm that entered into a joint venture agreement with BCDA to form the PPIC.

He said the deal was given to BHI on a silver platter on the intercession of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Singson said he was not giving up the fight against the contract and would reveal everything he knew about the deal if the Senate would push through with an investigation.

He also called on Congress to investigate members of the BCDA board who were appointed during the time of Estrada and who, he said, are now colluding with BHI to keep the deal intact.

He refused to identify who these BCDA board members were but said one of them previously held a position in a national daily.

“If the bidding is done without any graft and corruption, the port will bring about economic progress to the region and the country as a whole,” said Singson in his statement.

source (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=18665)

First Crack
Fel V. Maragay

WEEKS after watching from the sidelines the brewing controversy over the Poro Point seaport in La Union, Malacañang finally intervened by ordering that all vessels that regularly use it should be diverted to Subic in Zambales and there unload their cargo.

The order, as revealed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, was issued by the Palace in response to the call of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson for immediate cessation of operations of the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), the private contractor that runs this premier seaport in Northern Luzon.

Singson, whose influence with the Palace seems to have no bounds, has come out into the open to press hard for the revocation of the 25-year contract between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the PPIC to operate the seaport. The BCDA and PPIC put up the Bulk Handlers Inc. as a joint venture to directly run the port that used to be part of an American naval base. Singson claimed that the contract was disadvantageous to the government because PPIC is required to pay an annual fee of only P50 million when it is earning much more.

The order was given by the Palace despite a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Fernando Cawed of the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court. The TRO stopped the BCDA, Poro Point Management Corp. and Philippine Port Authority from “doing any act or deed destructive...” of the property rights of the petitioners in their attempts to remove the latter from the Poro Point seaport.

Cawed also ordered the BCDA, PPMC and PPA “to allow the unhampered continuance of petitioner’s business operations in accordance with the existing contract.”

The operations of the seaport ground to a halt when armed men, including police, Coast Guard and private security personnel, swooped down on its premises on Aug. 5, armed with a cease-and-desist order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for allegedly operating without an environmental clearance certificate (ECC). PPIC, however, was able to show that it had a “valid” ECC.

Since the court has issued a TRO, why didn’t the Palace restrain the agencies concerned from suspending the port’s operations? By failing to do so, the Palace became a party to a dangerous situation where a court order was reduced to a useless scrap of paper and the rule of law was set aside, substituted by the supremacy of political clout. In other words, there was a complete breakdown of the rule of law. Sadly, this seems to have been overlooked by the authorities.

Why did the Palace give in to Singson’s importunings when the legal counsel of the BCDA holds the opinion that the contract between the BCDA and PPIC was legal and binding. This was affirmed by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. And because of this, BCDA president Narciso Abaya has taken the position that he recognizes the validity of the existing contract until the court says otherwise. The BCDA board has likewise refused to ratify the PPMC resolution declaring the contract null and void.

The PPMC, by the way, is controlled by two relatives of Gov. Singson—Filadelfo Singson Rojas (board chairman) and Felix Singson Racadio (company president).

The BCDA has gone to the Court of Appeals in a bid to nullify the TRO issued by the San Fernando RTC.

Piqued by Abaya’s pronouncement that the PPIC’s contract was valid, Singson has accused him of conniving with the private operator whom the governor tagged as a “crony” of deposed President Joseph Estrada.

Meanwhile, there is no need for the BCDA to be apologetic over its reported P3.5 million crisis public relations contract with a still unknown consultant. A newspaper story quoted the BCDA as saying that the P3.5 million PR deal is “a regular PR corporate communications requirement.” Let us give the BCDA the benefit of the doubt for in the terms of reference for that multimillion-peso contract, why did BCDA vice president Ailen Zosa state that they were looking for a consultant with extensive experience in “crisis PR.”

Apart from the P3.5 million “regular” PR budget, how true was the report that the BCDA allocated another P3 million to its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corp., for the same purpose? And the additional amount is supposed to address the ongoing Poro Point port mess. At the end of the day, that’s a whopping P6.5 million in taxpayers’ money.

At the end of the day, a crisis PR just might be what the BCDA needs today, considering the magnitude of the controversies it is facing. As mentioned earlier in this column, Gov. Singson just last week launched a barrage of verbal attacks against Abaya. The political kingpin of Ilocandia is fuming mad over statements attributed to Abaya to the effect that the contract awarded to the private investor operating the Poro Point seaport is “valid and binding.” Singson went to the extent of suspecting that Abaya is a secret ally of the private investor whom the former wants booted out.

By the way, members of the Senate are set to grill BCDA executives sometime this month in connection with the efforts to terminate the seaport contract and the Aug. 5 armed assault and takeover of the facility.

The takeover was branded as “illegal, immoral and unconstitutional” by feisty Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who filed a resolution for Senate inquiry into the famous incident. The good thing is that both sides are raring to face the inquiry.

In another dispute, this time over the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal-3, the Palace has rejected the order of the Singapore-based International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Tribunal to turn over possession of the mothballed aviation facility to the private contractor and builder, the Philippine International Terminals Co. (Piatco), until a writ of possession is issued by the courts. The adverse order was issued by the ICC-AT out of exasperation over the government’s failure to release the P3 billion down payment that was ordered by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court last year, as well as to settle the fair and just compensation that was ordered by the Supreme Court in exchange for the expropriation of the property.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita says the P3 billion would have been paid were it not for an injunction from the Court of Appeals. Solicitor General Antonio Nachura believes that there is no need for the ICC-AT order the moment Piatco receives the initial payment.

Complicating the controversy is the persistent objection of the Asian Emerging Dragons Corp., led by taipan Lucio Tan, to any government-Piatco deal.

Lawyer Perfecto Yasay Jr., AEDC lead counsel and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, charged that “the ultimate objective of the government in expropriating the Naia-3 is to illegally award the operation of the facility to Piatco.” He says this will “contravene the 2003 decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Agan vs Piatco declaring Piatco is not entitled to the award of Terminal-3 because the build-operate-transfer agreements signed with government violated the Constitution, the law and public policy.

According to Yasay, under the law, the government is the undisputable owner of Terminal-3 and Piatco is the builder entitled only to reasonable reimbursement of actual cost estimated at $175 million and not “just compensation.”

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=felMaragay_sept04_2006)

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Burgos is the easternmost town of the province of La Union, named after the late martyr Father Jose Burgos, who, while fleeing from the Spaniards, made a stop-over and officiated mass at barrio Agpay.

The town of Burgos was once a part of Barrio Disdis of Sablan, Benguet. Due to the numerous creek and two big rivers that crossed along the barrio, it was also called “Baresbes,” meaning swampy. The rivers and the swamps made the place a natural home for all sorts of inland fishes. During the Spanish period, the northwestern part of the area was called “Rancheria Disdis” and the southern part “Rancheria Galiano”.

It is believed that the early settlers of the place were the Ibalois (Mangatibekbek) and Kankanaeys (Mangalkali) of Atok and Kapangan, Benguet and Pongpong of Tiw-angan, Bagulin, La Union. They were later joined by their brother Ilocanos from Vigan and Candon Ilocos Sur; San Fernando, Sto. Tomas, Aringay and Naguilian, La Union.

On March 5, 1903, the Philippine Commission passed Act No.662 which changed the geographical profile of La Union vis-à-vis its neighboring province, Benguet. Rancheria Galiano was givern to Benguet and Rancheria Disdis to La Union. During the later part of 1903, Rancheria Disdis was created into a municipal district of La Union.

In 1909, another boundary line between La Union and Benguet was drawn up. The Disdis Municipal District of La Union was annexed to Sablan, Benguet.

In 1920, the boundary line between La Union and Benguet was modified which reverted the municipal district of Disdis to the Province of La Union.

By virtue of Executive Order No.54 dated November 27, 1925, the Municipal District of Burgos under the province of La Union was created. Formerly called Disdis Municipal District , it had the following barrios: Pappa, Bilis Northwest, Ribsuan, Libtong Norte and Bayabas West. The seat of government was found in Ribsuan and a municipal hall made of bamboo was constructed by the people. The order took effect on January 1, 1926.

In the 1930’s more barrios were created in the Burgos Municipal District, namely: Cauayan, Tumapoc, Linuan, Delles and Central. When Barrio Ribsuan was annexed to the municipality of Naguilian, the seat of government was moved to Cetnral.

During the later part of 1960, the seat of government was transferred from Central (now Old Poblacion) to its present site, New Poblacion. More barrios were created, namely: Agpay, Dalacdac (from barrio Cauayan), Imelda (from Libtong), New Poblacion (from Bilis), and Upper Tumapoc (from Tumapoc now called Lower Tumapoc).

It was only in1960 when the municipal district of Burgos was converted into a regular municipality.

Burgos is one of the tigergrass producing towns in the province. Pineapple, banana and other tropical fruits are abundantly produced in this municipality aside from root crops because of its mountainous terrains.

One of the local attractions in Burgos is the Libtong Lake located 3 kilometers from the town proper. The lake has an area of 1 hectare where fresh water fishes abound plentifully. The lake does not dry up during summer nor overflow during the rainy season.

Despite a spate of legal rulings in favor of the private port operator, the controversy refuses to go away. For one thing, the forcible takeover on August 5 of the once bustling port in La Union is etched in the memory of investors, especially those whom the government has lured into setting up businesses in the so-called special economic zones.

The role played in that infamous incident by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, its subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) and Philippine Ports Authority—not to mention the Philippine National Police, which sent Regional Special Action Force commandos no less to “pacify” dockworkers protesting the takeover—has been amply documented.

An agency that has escaped scrutiny, thus far, is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

It was a cease-and-desist order that DENR issued on private operator Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) that became the pretext for the takeover. DENR officials in the Ilocos region issued the CDO on the basis of allegations that PPIC had committed environmental lapses.

Last week the DENR got a taste of its own medicine when the Court of Appeals issued an order temporarily restraining the department from enforcing its CDO on PPIC, which has a 25-year contract to operate the Poro Point port and bulk terminal. PPIC is actually a joint venture among BCDA, PPMC and private investor Bulk Handlers, Inc.—but BCDA and PPMC seem hell-bent on kicking BHI out of Poro Point.

In its resolution, the court noted that the CDO “might have been hastily and improvidently used.”

The court noted that the desist order was issued on the same day that PPMC—through its president Felix Singson Racadio—sent a letter to DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes requesting the issuance of a CDO against the private operator ASAP. DENR regional officials obliged with uncharacteristic efficiency; they issued the order in a matter of, not weeks or days, but hours.

According to the appellate court, PPIC’s right to manage the port, in accordance with the pre-incorporation agreement with BCDA and PPMC’s precursor, John Hay Poro Point Development Corp., takes the nature of a property right, the deprivation of which must observe the basic tenets of due process.

The court said that the alleged environmental infractions were apparently “not attributable to the PPIC itself but rather to Saturn Marketing Corporation.” The court further noted that Saturn Marketing is merely a “permitee” of PPIC at the economic zone.

The court issued the TRO upon the petition of PPIC, which had questioned the DENR order, noting the hastiness of the issuance and lack of due process.

The CDO, signed by DENR regional director Joel Salvador, was issued upon the request of PPMC, which cited a complaint filed by San Fernando Mayor Mary Jane Ortega. However, the department’s own records showed that it actually received Ortega’s letter days after the CDO was released. Huh?

By most accounts, there was no cause for DENR to slap PPIC with a desist order. There was no “clear and present danger” to the environment to speak of. No oil spill. No mercury dumping. Just quarreling joint venture partners.

In stark contrast to DENR’s hasty and arbitrary actuations at Poro Point is its kid-glove treatment of the Rapu-Rapu fiasco. No police commandos were ever sent to storm either the mining area in Albay or the offices of Lafayette.

Yet between PPIC and the Australian mining firm, who do you think inflicted serious damage on the environment?

source (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/sept/06/yehey/opinion/20060906opi2.html)

ergit22, heard of Governor's Villa Subdivision? Sang town sa La Union yon?

^^ Sorry jadebench, I haven't heard of Governor's Villa yet. 1st time ko rin narinig yan.

AS I SEE IT
By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
Last updated 01:02am (Mla time) 09/06/2006

Published on Page A14 of the September 6, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE Philippine government has always been accused of being too slow to act on official business. It is notorious for having the longest red tape in the world. But sometimes, with the right incentives, it can act with too much haste, resulting in more waste.

This is what happened at the Poro Point seaport, which was taken over, hastily and forcibly, by the government from its legal operator, the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC). The takeover resulted in the disruption of business in Northern Luzon and the loss of hundreds of millions of pesos for businessmen who could not bring out their shipments from the seaport, for the port operators, for the workers and for the government agencies themselves.

It is a good thing that the Court of Appeals has stopped the government from taking over and closing the port.

The mess is being blamed on Gov. Chavit Singson of Ilocos Sur province. But the real culprit is the regional director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). He was too fast. This is what happened:

1. On July 25, 2006, Felix Singson Racadio (a cousin of Governor Chavit), president of the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), wrote a letter to the DENR requesting a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the very company of which it is a partner, the PPIC. (The other partner is the Bases Conversion and Development Authority). The request was based on alleged environmental infractions that Mayor Maryjane Ortega of San Fernando, La Union, in a letter-complaint, accused the PPIC of. The Racadio letter was received by the office of the DENR secretary at 12:20 p.m. of July 25, 2006.

2. On the very same day, just a few hours after the letter-request was received, DENR Regional Director Joel Salvador issued the CDO.

3. What is even more strange is that the letter-complaint of Mayor Ortega was received by the DENR only on Aug. 1, 2006, five days after Racadio asked for a CDO allegedly because of a complaint he obviously had not yet received. In other words, the CDO was issued by Salvador before there was any complaint. Such speed.

People complain that the government is too slow, so the DENR was merely acting more promptly to avoid criticism, you might say. But anyway you look at it, that was too prompt.

4. And based on that lightning CDO, the armed elements of the government swooped down on Poro Point and forcibly took over the operation of the port from its legal operator on Aug. 5, 2006. The government, through the PPA, which should see to it that laws are enforced and obeyed, used the lightning CDO as an excuse to defy two temporary restraining orders (TRO) and one injunction issued by the San Fernando court.

That is the reason the Court of Appeals issued a 60-day temporary restraining order stopping the DENR from implementing the CDO against the PPIC.

The CDO might have been "hastily and improvidently used," the court said.

"The PPIC's right to manage the Poro Point seaport pursuant to the pre-incorporation agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the John Hay-Poro Point Development Corp., now PPMC, takes the nature of a property right the deprivation of which must observe the basic tenets of due process," the court said.

"Due process" requires that both sides be heard, which was not done before that controversial CDO was issued. When "due process" is absent, arbitrariness and grave abuse of discretion come to the fore.

Worse, the court noted that the alleged "environmental infractions" complained of, and for which the CDO was issued, were not committed by the PPIC itself but by a certain Saturn Marketing Corp., one of the users of the port.

In the meantime, the PPIC, the shipping companies using the Poro Point seaport, the thousands of businessmen in Northern Luzon depending on the seaport for its supplies, and the national and local governments themselves suffered huge business losses as a result of that CDO. Haste really makes waste.

source (http://opinion.inq7.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=19197)

i just browse about it...its a new project at Sto. Tomas, another world class subdivision.. i try to post pics here.

Governor's Villa Subdivision
Sto. Tomas, La Union

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Why the name Governors Villa
Inspired by the individual roles and collective efforts played by the early first 6 governors in the making of La Union as a province, Governors Villa was borne.

The content of the book about La Union – The Making Of A Province 1850-1921, a dissertation authored by Adriel Obar Meimban Ph.D., provided the historical account of the travails and exploits exemplified by those 6 fine men leading the province of La Union out of the Spanish-American colonial rule into its transition for independence.

These 6 fine men of the past, specifically
Dr. Lucino Almeida - the Revolutionary Governor
Don Joaquin Ortega - the 1st Civil Governor
Don Joaquin Luna - the 2nd Elected Governor
Don Sixto Zandueta - the 3rd Elected Governor
Lawyer Fransisco Zandueta - the 4th Elected Governor
and the 1st Congressman of the 2nd District of La Union
Don Tomas de Guzman - the 6th Elected Governor
and Don Francisco Nisce - the Elected Governor


whose vision, patriotism, leadership, and selfless service to the people of La Union are worthy of emulation. Their determination and hard work helped immensely and contributed significantly to the formation as well as transformation of La Union as a province.

As a tribute, the names of these pioneers for the independence of the province of La Union are immortalized and enshrined on the streets in this 9-Neighborhood Community Development Project. Hence, The Governors Villa.

Honor . . . Dignity . . . Integrity . . . Respect. Leave a legacy to our descendants! This is what Governors Villa stands for.

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LOCATION FEATURES


Situated along Mc Arthur National Highway.


Within 750 – meter radius from the new Santo Tomas Municipal Hall in the new Poblacion area.


5 kilometers away from Agoo, a pilgrimage tourist town and so-called capital town of La Union’s 2nd District.


45 - minute drive up east to Baguio City via Marcos Highway in Agoo.


45 - minute drive up north to San Fernando City


45 – minute drive down south to Urdaneta City.


45 – minute drive down west to Dagupan City.


45 – minute drive to a chain of multi-national owned beach resorts down west in the town of San Fabian and up north in the towns of Caba and Bauang.


250 meters frontage.

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Highlights of the Subdivision
The Intramuros of the North

very exclusive, very private.

low density number of slots – good for 100 homes only.

road usage is absolutely limited, as such:
1. Governor S. Zandueta Road, an 8.00-meter wide artery:
Number of road users - 2 only.
2. Governor J. Luna Road, a 6.50-meter wide artery:
Number of road users - 3 only.
3. Governor F. Zandueta Road, an 8.00-meter wide artery:
Number of road users - 2 only.
4. Governor F. Nisce Road, an 8.00-meter wide artery:
Number of road users - 2 only.
5. Governor L. Almeida Road, a 6.50-meter wide:
Number of road users - 3 only.
6. Governor T. de Guzman Road, a 6.50-meter artery:
Number of road users - 3 only.
7. Governor J. Ortega Road, an 8.00-meter wide artery:
Number of road users - 67.
8. Don Guillermo Zandueta Avenue, an 8.00-meter wide artery: Number of road users - 67.
9. Don Ramon Zandueta Sr. Avenue, a 10-12 meter main artery: Number of road users -
100.

A Master Planned European Inspired Community
A Landscaped Grand Entrance Gate

Six Sentry Towers with 24 Hours Intensive Security

Perimeter Fence

182 Sq.m. Swimming Pool for Adults and Kid surrounded by verdant landscaping and multi-colored Flora

Activity Center: Tennis Court, Basketball Court and Volleyball Court

Centralized Water System with 20,000 Gallons Overhead Water Tank

Wide Concrete Road Network with Curbs & Gutters and Planting Strips
Bicycle Lane

Landscaped Pathways & Alleys lined up with Hawaiian Palm Trees

A 400-Seat Multi-function Hall with Neo-Classic Inspired Architecture Design

Complete Electrical Facilities by LUELCO

Fire Hydrant Provision for each Block

Underground Drainage System

Optional Centralized Security & Burglar Alarm System

Shuttle Services

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1371/5299666/10891316/184969090.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1371/5299666/10891316/184969084.jpg

A World-class subdivision in La Union
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Mont Blanc Manor
...the first ever high-end subdivision in La Union. Located in the majestic hills at Sta. Ana, Agoo.

TREASURED MOMENTS.. BEST SHARED AT HOME!

Bienvana â Mont Blanc Manor!

Unfold the panorama of life while at the peak of MONT BLANC MANOR.

The first ever world class residential estate in La Union, where elegance and sophistication are within reach.

A French inspired community, blends with the beauty of nature and sea breeze to offer a wonderful experience.

SUBDIVISION FEATURES:
- Landscaped Entrance Gate with Guardhouse
- Concrete Curbs and Gutters
- Underground Drainage System
- Electrical Facilities
- 13 Meter-Wide Concrete Main Road
- Centralized Water System
- Clubhouse
- Basketball Court
- Tennis Court
- Leisure Garden
- Swimming Pool
- Perimeter Fence


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL252/1891404/11414419/168475367.jpg

Main Entrance Gate
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL252/1891404/11414419/168654542.jpg

Clubhouse
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL252/1891404/11414419/168654540.jpg

contact developer:
www.jamaica-realty.com
repost!

Agoo-Damortis National Seashore
This protected seascape covers 10,947 ha of land and water between the towns of Agoo and Damortis in southern La Union Province about 50 km south of San Fernando the provincial capital. It was declared a national park in 1965. The location shown here is approximate.

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Plaze de la Virgen, Agoo
the former site of the old Agoo church
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Imelda Garden
the fountain
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other pics of Plaza de la Virgen
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Jose D. Aspiras Civic Center
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1371/5299666/10891316/184976626.jpg

photos credits: http://www.yugatech.com/photos/?a=vigan-blogging-podcasting-workshop&i=1245

By Ray Eñano

The ongoing controversy in the operation of the Poro Point seaport has implicated many personalities from politics, the corporate world, government and the military. Thus, when one reads commentaries and news items about the seaport, familiar figures like Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, Bases Conversion Development Authority president and chief executive officer Narciso Abaya, the Ortegas of La Union and even Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes will pop out every now and then.

Lost in the din of the controversy, however, was the 2004 letter of BCDA general counsel Arnel Paciano Casanova, who wisely advised his board about the legal ramifications of canceling the Poro Point seaport contract awarded to Bulk Handlers Inc. Casanova, in a letter addressed to Abaya dated Nov. 22, 2004, reacted to an unsigned position paper prepared by then Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC) president Juanito Antonio assailing the integrity of the BCDA legal department for its stand against abrogating the seaport contract.

PPMC, the BCDA subsidiary that serves as joint venture partner of Bulk Handlers in Poro Point Industrial Corp., which operates the seaport, had been pressing BCDA to cancel the contract. Casanova, however, held firm in his position and dished out a brilliant legal argument. Many lawyers can be elegant in the written language and are well-versed in literature and Casanova certainly sprinkled his arguments with little fine gems.

Furious Casanova

Stung by the position paper that questioned his stance on the Poro issue, Casanova wrote that it was “completely regrettable that for a position paper written by a lawyer delving on allegations with grave and dangerous legal implications, such paper has all the rhetoric but surprisingly lacking of any citation of legal provision, jurisprudence or document that would support the allegations. I am afraid that the legal scholarship had been lost in the haystack of verbosity.”

Casanova also refused Antonio’s request to reverse his legal stand. “I have to state that in a number of occasions, Atty. Antonio either called or personally visited me in my office to persuade and convince me to reverse the legal study made by BCDA regarding the BHI contract allegedly due to an instruction from an influential person. We do not barter our opinions for any favor or reward.”

“If indeed the BHI contract should be terminated, then, let it be due to clear legal infirmity and factual consideration and after an extensive research and study. Never for any political expediency. I dread the day that our legal opinions will be written to satisfy the whims of the gods of the heavens by risking our management and board as lambs to be sacrificed in the altar of political horse-trading,” Casanova concluded.

That essentially sums up the haste that led to the armed takeover of Poro Point seaport in the early hours of Aug. 5.

Vital reform

Crucial economic reforms are starting to bear fruit in the Philippines as reflected by a strong peso, a buoyant stock market and improved investor sentiment. This, however, cannot be said on the political front, where some politicians have resisted reforms in the system.

The electoral system, for one, is in dire need of reforms as the Philippines is one of the few countries in the world that still relies on manual counting to determine election winners. Manila missed the automation of the critical 2004 elections and it is likely that the 2007 elections will suffer the same fate.

An automated electoral process aims to considerably minimize, if not totally eliminate, cheating and hopefully bring about political stability. Yet, about 2,000 automated counting machines lie idle in the office of the Commission on Elections, which spends P4 million annually for their safe keeping.

Winning bidder Mega Pacific, which supplied the machines, is frustrated at the turn of events. The Department of Science and Technology has affirmed the 100-percent accuracy of the machines but they remain useless despite Mega Pacific’s superior bid offer.

Mega Pacific delivered to Comelec 1,991 automatic counting machines which can cover the nationwide elections and count up to 40 million votes. The idle machines can change the equation of the country’s political system but some people, it seems, are content to keep things as they are.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandardtoday.com

source (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business05_sept07_2006)

Highlights of the Subdivision
The Intramuros of the North
A Master Planned European Inspired Community
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1371/5299666/10891316/184969090.jpg
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Wow! thanks jadebench for this post. Indeed this development will readily serve and attract not only upper middle income group but also people doing business in La Union and immediate environs.

By Miriam P. Aquino

San Fernando City, La Union (6 September) -- In the observance of the National Crime Prevention Week and Civil Service Month, the City of San Fernando, headed by the City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega and Provincial Governor Victor F. Ortega, with the different heads of the Regional line agencies, recognized the Most Outstanding Barangay Peace and Order Committee from the different towns here in the province, in a recently held program at the City Hall.

In her speech, Mayor Ortega cited the award received by the City of San Fernando as one of the 8 compliants of the “green cities” all over the country, launched by the Institute of Solidarity for Asia’s Green Cities program held in Manila.

The basis of which, she said is the “democratic good governance” where peace and order is claimed to be the major key for progress. “We have achieved to be the Botanical City of the North, committed to the environment, clean air, water, and solid waste management, making us a clean city physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. And this is achieved thru democratic good governance where peace and order is obviously present”, Ortega said.

Mayor Ortega also congratulated the Civil Service Commission for their 106 years of public service being the “backbone of the government”.

Provincial Governor Victor F. Ortega, quoted as “the Chief Steward of Peace and Order” here in this province, said that La Union has long been “one of the most peaceful provinces in the world”, and to maintain this identity, he urged all the civil servants especially the Philippine National Police, National Police Commission, the Department of Interior and Local Government, Phil. Drug Enforcement Agency, different line agencies, LGU’s as well as the people themselves to join in the unending combat against perpetrators and destroyers of peace.

“We need your full cooperation to bring all these perpetrators in the bars of justice in the soonest possible time”, Ortega said.

He even commended the Civil Service Commission for their 106th year anniversary and for bringing service to the people saying, “ Agyamanak kadakayo iti nasayaat, nadalus ken naisem nga panagserbi yo iti probinsiya tayo”.

Governor Ortega assisted by DILG’s La Union Provincial Director Brigida Colisao, together with Atty. Marty S. Palomar, Regional Director, NAPOLCOM, awarded the most active and outstanding BPOC’s from the different towns who have actively complied with the National Crime Prevention Week’s theme “Kilos Sambayanan, Krimen ay Hadlangan”, giving them 2 mountainbikes for each chosen barangays and a plaque of recognition for their job well-done.

Awardees are Barangay San Benito Sur in Aringay; Brgay. Sta.Cruz, Bacnotan; Brgy. Suyo, Bagulin; Brgy. Butubot Norte, Balaoan; Brgy. Ubbog, Bangar; Parian Este, Bauang; Cauayan, Burgos; Poblacion Norte, Caba; Oaqui I, Luna; Ortiz, Naguilian; Ambangonan, Pugo; Poblacion West, Rosario; Lipay Norte, San Gabriel; Waking, San Juan; Batac, Sto. Tomas; Corro-oy, Santol; Sengngat, Sudipen; Ammalapay, Tubao; Lingsat, San Fernando City.

Also awarded a certificate of recognition and electric fans were six barangays who were nominated for the Most Outstanding Peace and Order Committee in the city. These are Barangays Cabaroan, Catbangen, Barangay IV, Sevilla, Poro and Parian.

Chaplain Julius V. Cruz of Police Regional Office 1 blessed the mountainbikes to be used as evening patrols in guarding and maintaining peace and order in these places. (PIA La Union)

By Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY (7 September) -- Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson said recently that he will resign as governor if he will not be able to prove his allegations on the irregularities in the awarding of a contract to a private operator to manage the controversial Poro Point seaport in La Union.

He challenged the alleged protectors in government of Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC) and its subsidiary Bulk Handlers Inc. (BHI) to resign from their posts if the investigation will show that PPIC got its contract to manage the seaport without the conduct of bidding and under lopsided terms disadvantageous to the government.

"I have no personal interest in the Poro Point, ako'y nagmamalasakit lamang sa gobyerno dahil kawawa at luging - lugi ang gobyerno sa operasyon ng Poro Point na kanyang pagmamay-ari," Singson said.

The governor vowed to name more PPIC "protectors" in government during a formal investigation.

Singson disclosed that the government is getting only P50 million a year under the contract "when PPIC is making more than P50 million a month in operating Poro Point."

"This is lopsided and very disadvantageous to the government," he told newsmen here.

PPIC obtained the seaport management contract from BCDA in l999 during the Estrada administration. He said that then BCDA chairman Rogelio Singson was pressured to award the contract to PPIC.

"Legal (income) lang yan," Chavit said referring to the over P50-million figure that PPIC is earning a month from the seaport."Iba pa ang sideline nila," he added.

He said that PPIC has been discouraging other shippers from using the port. The company allegedly does this by imposing pier charges that are 35% higher than those charged by the Manila port, apart from charging P20 per metric ton on incoming goods like fertilizer.

"Solo nila ang puerto. Pinapatabi nila ang barko ng ibang negosyante pag dumating ang barko nina Manny Tan," he said.

Chavit said he has in his possession the documents to prove his point as he egged the Senate to proceed with its announced plan to initiate an investigation.

"Dapat ituloy nila ang investigation, I will bring all the documents to the Senate. Patutunayan ko lahat pati walang bidding na naganap" he said.

He said that if the government restores PPIC and BHI to their hold on Poro Point, it seems that the government is tolerating corruption. (PIA-Ilocos Sur)

EAST AND WEST
By Julius F. Fortuna

The latest news in the controversial Poro Point issue is that the Court of Appeals has intervened to restore peace and normal operations in the former US base.

The Court of Appeals on September 1 restrained the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from implementing a cease-and-desist order against the contractor managing the port.

In the middle of July this year, armed men from the DOTC and the police, took over the port allegedly in compliance with the CDO.

In its decision, the appeals court said that the DENR order “might have been hastily and improvidently used” against the Poro Point Industrial Corp. PPIC which has an existing 25-year contract with the government.

This means that the PPIC will be able to operate unhampered for two months while the basic issues of the case are being resolved. Malacañang should learn its lessons. It should be able to rein in agencies like the EMB and the PPA which tend to destroy investor confidence in our country.

There was no problem with the government’s contract with the PPIC until some bright minds in the service of a regional strongman thought of using the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) requirement as a weapon to terminate the contract. There was no way by which the contract with the PPIC could be invalidated because the DOJ, the OGCC and the BCDA had affirmed that the contract with PPIC was valid.

The “masterminds” of the takeover used the armed personnel of the Philippine Ports Authority and policemen. But their takeover did not last long because the CA described it as illegal. Mabuti na lang at may CA na nakinig sa argumento.

The appellate court said that the PPIC’s right to manage the Poro Point seaport was consistent with the pre-incorporation agreement with the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and the John Hay Poro Point Development Corp. (now PPMC). That right takes the nature of a property right, the deprivation of which violates the basic tenets of due process.

The CA also noted that the environmental infractions for which the CDO was issued against the private contractor were apparently “not attributable to the PPIC itself but rather to Saturn Marketing Corp.”

Under question in the Poro Point row is the leadership of DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes. His office was apparently used by a regional director to issue a cease-and-desist order to oppress an entity doing business with the government without due process.

source (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/sept/07/yehey/opinion/20060907opi2.html)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYkTFSJORWw

^^TheCameraReturns, the building that houses then Nancy Theater is still there standing but the old name has long been replaced by Mar theater,a cinema that features most often than not pinoy sex-oriented films regularly :) . Here's the building>>
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/08022006358.jpg

Nalinac (ilocano term for "calm") Beach Resort is still one of the more popular resorts along the famous Bauang beach and actually has added tourism-oriented facilities as years go by. The resort is owned by the Dulays of Bauang, La Union.

Thanks very much for the update! It has been a long, long time since I was last in La Union. Is that the original building that Nancy Theater was in? It seemed bigger then. Also, there seems to be a structure to the left of Mar where there used to be gasoline station?

Thanks very much for the update! It has been a long, long time since I was last in La Union. Is that the original building that Nancy Theater was in? It seemed bigger then. Also, there seems to be a structure to the left of Mar where there used to be gasoline station?
Yes, it is still the same building designed by the late Architect Felipe Mendoza. The structure at the left side with a brick brown colored column is the RCBC Bank LU branch building in which site is used to be a gasoline station.