Naga and Iriga Cities, and Camarines Sur Province [Archive] - Page 238

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:03 AM

Caramoan vs. Canlubang
Caramoan in Camarines Sur has all the reasons top brag that it is the wakeboarding capital of the Philippines.

Wakeboarding is one of the principal attractions of the resort facilities in the Caramoan Peninsula which also boasts of various water sport activities.

Of course the increasing numbers of foreign and local tourists who have flocked in increasing numbers to Camarines Sur go to the province for its colourful festivals and excellent beaches, bannered by Gota beach in Caramoan which is said to rival the world-famous Boracay beach.

Surrounded by jagged hills and picturesque rock formations Gota beach is one of the favourite destinations of tourists in Caramoan.

Still, wakeboarding is the main attraction of Caramoan and this sport which we can see from the iconic photos on Caramoan that had been printed in newspapers as well as local and international magazines, involves riding a wakeboard and using a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques.

Behind the success of Caramoan as the wakeboarding capital of the country and as a principal tourist destination in the Bicol region is Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte and through his efforts, the provincial government has invested hundreds of millions to develop the tourist facilities and other infrastructure in the area.

The days of Caramoan as the wakeboarding capital of the Philippines might soon be over. A worthy claimant at the title is emerging in Canlubang in Calamba, Laguna.

Wakeboarding enthusiasts are expected to forego the gruelling and expensive trip to

Camarines Sur and just go to the Republic Nuvali Wakepark inside the 1,700 hectare mixed-use high end development project of Ayala Land and the Yulo family.

Ironically, the principal promoter and some say a major investor, in the Republic Nuvali Wakepark, is none other than the Camarines Sur governor himself.

Villafuerte apparently is disregarding the millions that Camarines Sur has invested in Caramoan tourism as well as the millions more of income from tourism that the province is expected to lose when wakeboarders go to nearby and easily accessible Canlubang instead of far Caramoan when he touts that Nuvali wakepark is the “ultimate destination for wakeboarding aficionados.

His critics say that they are not surprised that Villafuerte will say all these things to promote Canlubang over Caramoan because they claim that Villafuerte made a major investment in the project.

Villafuerte apparently is all out to promote Nuvali Wakepark and a recent news report quoted him as saying that the Laguna wakepark is “not only going to be the nearest, but it’s going to be the most innovative (wakeboarding destination). We have better location, better equipment, better layout and better facilities.”

Apparently the fact that such statements obviously disparage Caramoan wakeboarding facilities is lost on the Camarines Sur governor.

He said that he would take advantage of his position as president of the Philippine Wakeboard Association and as a member of the Asian Wakeboarding Council to convince the World Wakeboarding Association to hold its competition this year or next year in Nuvali.

Gov. Villafuerte obviously does not see any conflict of interest in enthusiastically promoting the Nuvali wakeboarding facility in Laguna despite the fact that this is a rival of the wakeboarding facility in Caramoan in his home province.

If you believe his detractors there are many other things that Villafuerte does not see or just chooses to ignore.

His critics point out to the many negative findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) which Villafuerte should explain.

The 2009 COA financial report has raised questions on many of the provincial government’s financial transactions during the watch of Villafuerte.

Among these is a cash overdraft in the General Fund amounting to more than P168-million.

The provincial government is also being asked by COA to explain why is spent P132-million for programs and activities undertaken by the Provincial Social Services Office (PSSO) without any approved program/activity designs and established criteria hence making the disbursement according to COA of doubtful validity and propriety.

COA also pointed out that unserviceable properties amounting to P69-million as reported by the Provincial General Services Office were not properly disposed of, resulting in the overstatement of assets in the financial statements.

The COA findings also included P23,959,182 in cash advances to provincial officials and employees that remained unliquidated.

If you consider that Camarines Sur is among the poorest provinces in the country these amounts being questioned by COA are not small. And to think that the COA questioned transactions are only for 2009.

The COA audit has also raised questions and had come out with negative observations for transactions of the Villafuerte administration for 2007 and 2008.

If these transactions can happen in his Administration why would Villafuerte care if the promotion of the Canlubang wakeboard park will be detrimental to the same facility in his own province of Camarines Sur.http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2011/july/13/alvincapino.isx&d=2011/july/13

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:10 AM

Good day to all the admins, moderators and members. Saro po ako sa mga masugid na nag aabang kan mga pigpopost kan mga members/users na dakulang tabang sa arog ko na gusto maaraman ang nangyayari asin mangyayari sa satong probinsya.

Salamat po and i hope i am welcome here... :)
welcome sir!

para sa satuyang mas marhay na pag miridbidan, mawot kan grupo na maaram dikit na impormasyon manunugod saimo sir :)

enjoy posting!

Thanks po Sir oragon.com... Ako po sarong tga Camarines Sur na nagmamakulog para sa karahayan kan kagabsan digdi sa satuyang namumutan na probinsya.

Haluy ko na po tigpapara abang abangan ang mga posts po nindo sa updates, what's new and upcomming sa CamSur. Sa paagi po kan thread na ini makaka share man ako nin mga impormasyon asin updates related sa CamSur...

Thanks po ulit sa warm welcome sir! :)

Welcome po sa satuyang thread!

Marhay na aga tabi sa gabos :)

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:15 AM

Shrub has potential as sweetener
MANILA, Philippines — The government is trying to grow in the Bicol region a shrub whose leaves can be processed into a sweetener and sugar substitute.

Encouraged by the prospects of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) is funding a project to entice the traditionally chili-loving Bicolanos to cultivate it.

“Stevia has great potential in the foreign market,” Dr. Maria Elena Quimio of the Bicolandia Greenfields Development Organization (BIGFIS) told a team from BAR that conducted a project monitoring visit to the region.

Stevia is native to tropical and subtropical regions in North and South America.

Quimio said the leaves of the shrub are 10 times sweeter than table sugar, and consumers need only a tiny amount of it as a food sweetener and drink preparation.

To monitor the progress of the project, “Commercialization of Stevia rebaudiana, a natural sweetener (Phase 1),” technical staff from the Bureau of Agricultural Research-Technology Commercialization Division (BAR-TCD) visited project sites in Naga, Camarines Sur, and Tabaco, Albay.

“The sweetener industry is predicted to penetrate and take a big chunk of the market for sugar in the future,” Quimio said.

His team will set up a nursery that will provide planting materials for farmer-cooperators and educate them on good agricultural practices.

BIGFIS, a non-government organization (NGO) in Naga, implements the project.

Stevia originated in Paraguay and is widely cultivated and used in other countries.

In the Philippines, it is already grown in nurseries located in Antipolo City, Cavite, and Quezon. Now utilized as an ingredient in coffee, tea blends, and some health products, stevia is seen as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners.

Stevia is an herb that comes from the Chrysanthemum family and grows wild as a small shrub.

The leaves contain glycosides which account for its incredible sweetness, making it unique among the nearly 300 species of Stevia plants.

The stevias planted in the DA-RFU 5-Albay Experiment Station are locally adapted varieties, while those planted in its main office in Pili, Camarines Sur, are from Paraguay.

Compared to the locally adapted varieties, the leaves of stevia from Paraguay are more elongated, and the plants themselves are longer.

Quimio said there has been no previous effort at developing the stevia industry.

"It is therefore, timely and fortuitous that BAR has taken the initial steps towards the development of stevia,” she added.http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/326655/shrub-has-potential-sweetener

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:18 AM

Bicolana police, awardee of 2011 MetroBank 2011 COPS
NAGA CITY, July 13 (PIA) -- One of this year’s lucky awardees of 2011 MetroBank 2011 COPS is Police Chief Inspector Delia Jacob Ingalla, a University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) Alumna and a native of Tigaon, Camarines Sur.

Ingalla completed her course under the UNEP Criminology Department and joined the PNP workforce in 1984.

The Metrobank Foundation, the Rotary Club of New Manila East and PS Bank spearheaded this year’s 2011 Metrobank Foundation Search for the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service or (COPS), an annual search for outstanding men and women for keeping their integrity as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The final board of jurors this year, spearheaded by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval and Hon. Leopoldo Bataoil , Representative of the 2nd District of Pangasinan hailed Ingala for her unwavering dedication in solving and preventing the proliferation of crimes in her community. Ingala’s exemplary feat has merited her nomination under the Police Commissioned Officers Category.

Currently stationed at the Taguig Police Station as Chief of the Women and Protection Desk (WCPD) and Family, Juvenile, Gender and Development (FJGAD) Section, Ingala was instrumental to the unprecedented rescue of 30 victims of human trafficking leading to several human trafficking cases filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

She has also shown her courage when she led the successful entrapment operation for the arrest of Emelito De Guzman y Roldan for the Violation of Republic Act 8353 otherwise known as the Anti-Rape Law of 1997. Under her leadership, Ingalla also supervised the referral of 89 cases to the City Prosecutors office for immediate action that resulted to the arrest and eventual incarceration of 35 potentially abusive persons.

Ingala has also raised her advocacy to fight criminals by spearheading Barangay Ugnayans, Anti Criminality and Crime Prevention Seminars. During her time as Chief of Police Community Relations Section (PCRS), she has organized Ugnayan ng Pulisya at Mamamayan covering 33 barangays of Makati City . It resulted to the empowerment of the community and eventual decline of crime statistics in their community.

Ingala will not only be joining the PNP’s cream of the crop, but will also receive a total cash award of Php300,000.00 from Metrobank Foundation and a Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Gawa from the PNP. No less than His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III will confer the awards at the Malacanang Palace.http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=43309

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 05:28 AM

^^ Enjoy posting here!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4109_picnik.jpg

this building being constructed at the back of the gymnasium at SJS will be named after the late Fr. Limingchin :okay:

i got really excited with Kuya Pao's news over the phone. specifically about Chevy and Honda :banana: AND Eurotel at the PNB Building.. it's about time that the building be revived! :banana:

Good morning sa gabos!

good to know about this development in our good ol' saint jo! fr Limingchin (fr ling sadit, as we fondly called him) sure deserves this honor of a bldg named after him.

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:30 AM

Paddling their own kayak
In a country blessed with oceans, beautiful beaches and lakes, paddling around in a kayak can be one of the most enjoyable activities on water.

No wonder dozens of enthusiasts took to the water aboard colorful kayaks one weekend for the Philippine Kayaking Series organized by the Sun and Sea Sports Systems, Inc. and the Philippine Kayaking Association (PKA).

Aside from savoring the beach, the fresh air and the workout, it was also a great excuse to visit the Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club in Morong, Bataan.

There were free rides on hobie kayaks, a crazy eight kayak race challenge and a kayaking clinic, while earlier in the day, expert kayakers set off on a 32-km marathon that passed through the open waters of the West Philippine Sea and paddled towards San Fernando, Zambales from Mabayo, Morong, Bataan.

But there’s more to this sport than just recreation, says PKA secretary-general Andrea Camara. “Kayaking is a very environmental-friendly way to see the country,” she notes, adding that despite our great beaches and one of the longest coastlines in the world, environmental conservation remains a major concern.

Kayak activities, says Camara, can be a good entry point for responsible eco-tourism. “We see kayaks as a tool for community development and environmental conservation.”

Since the early ‘90s, PKA has been providing outreach and training programs to communities to introduce kayaking as an alternative source of income.

“With the help of the Department of Tourism, we are working on a kayaking livelihood program for local government units in coastal villages. We train people how to kayak and design tour packages for kayaking in areas that would interest tourists,” says Camara.

Through the years, PKA has organized kayaking eco-tours for visitors to explore tourist spots like the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, Caylabne Bay in Cavite, the historic island of Corregidor and the Bataan Coast.

Camara’s group has been commissioned by the DOT to train locals on how to operate kayak tours in Calauit Island, Palawan, an area that is a major conservation showcase for wildlife habitat. The training, she explains, fills a gap. “There are no local outfitters and operators at the grassroots level,” she says.

Camara adds that in some areas like Caramoan in Camarines Sur, locals need alternative sources of income as they have been restricted from fishing in certain areas being used for reality television shows.More: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/5166/paddling-their-own-kayak

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:31 AM

^^^^

ang alam ko sir is 2 (two) tents that can accomodate 2000 to 3000 persons.. and may mga additional Wooden Cabins na ginagawa i think 84??

^^

:cheers: these amenities will be ready for the Ironman this August, right sir?

Are there any development at the Capitol Convention Center which is the official venue of the Ads Congress?

salamat sa mga updates, CamSur!:banana:

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:33 AM

Wall Post @ Facebook by Alex Bok (http://www.facebook.com/alexbartbok?sk=wall) (Owner of The Bike Boutique)

"Always nice to see some pics of an Ironman Store somewhere in Asia! Watch this space, as these IM stores will only get bigger and better from here onwards. Next stop for TBB to open a new Ironman Store: Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Camsur on the 14th of August. "

Wall Post @ Facebook by CamSur DragonBoat (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1534275318)

Registration for "2nd Camsur International DragonBoat Fest" is still ongoing! Send your details now to marciacrsitobal@yahoo.com and be one of the first 20 local teams to register and get P10 thousand pesos participation fee for early birds. Also be one of the first 10 international teams to register and get free accommodation courtesy of the Province of Camsur. Join now!

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:45 AM

april 25 2011 caramoan camarines sur
by Mariane Avila (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.166177640111445.43339.100001576296951)

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270488_166179626777913_100001576296951_438661_5525058_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/254997_166180006777875_100001576296951_438664_7996040_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/247212_166181360111073_100001576296951_438679_8065280_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255747_166182123444330_100001576296951_438687_6295743_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255712_166183303444212_100001576296951_438704_5776215_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249792_166183466777529_100001576296951_438707_3536902_n.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=166183680110841&set=a.166177640111445.43339.100001576296951&type=1

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 05:51 AM

PNP Camarines Sur bubuo ng tourist police force
NAGA CITY Hulyo 13 (PIA) -- Ang Camarines Sur Provincial Police Office ay nakatakdang bumuo ng Tourist Police Force na itatalaga sa tatlong lugar ng probinsya.

Ayon kay SPO4 Romulo Faviano, hepe ng Community Police Relations Office na layunin nito upang mabigyan ng tiyak na seguridad ang mga turistang pumupunta sa Camarines Sur lalo na sa mga kilalang mga tourist destination ng lalawigan.

Ayon pa kay Fabiano na ang mga tourist police ay magpapasailalim ng special training sa susunod na lingo na pangangasiwaan ng iba’t-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng Department of Tourism at lokal na pamahalaan.

Ang mga pulis na pipiliin ay mula sa Naga City Police Office, Camarines Sur Provincial Police Office at Municipal Police Stations kung saan itatalaga ito sa CamSur Water Sports Complex, Gota Beach sa bayan ng Caramoan at Pasacao Beach sa bayan ng Pasacao.

Ang probinsiya ng Camarines Sur umangat sa lalarangan ng turismo at sa pinakahuling talaan ng DOT number one tourist destination na ito sa buong bansa. http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=43321

CamSur

July 14th, 2011, 05:56 AM

Caramoan vs. Canlubang
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2011/july/13/alvincapino.isx&d=2011/july/13

I have talked to one of my close friends who works in the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur - Capitol.. and i asked him about the issue. He told me that there was already a clarification made by the Provincial Treasurer last May 18, 2010. The overdraft was a result of an error in the listing of valid creditors and accounts payable. Added by my friend, there are already adjustments made to reflect only those creditors with valid and appropriate documents. There is also a submitted revised schedule of accounts payable to the COA.

It seems that the Provincial Government was prompt to address the issues but unfortunately, it was not presented to the media as it was just one of the findings which needs to be resolved internally, not with the public.

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 06:00 AM

by Kristian Cordero (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150255799564362&set=a.10150255799544362.345370.725869361&type=1&comments)

Coming this August 12. P 100. Book of Bikol Erotic Poems.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268922_10150255799564362_725869361_7263722_7055887_n.jpg

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 06:04 AM

I have talked to one of my close friends who works in the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur - Capitol.. and i asked him about the issue. He told me that there was already a clarification made by the Provincial Treasurer last May 18, 2010. The overdraft was a result of an error in the listing of valid creditors and accounts payable. Added by my friend, there are already adjustments made to reflect only those creditors with valid and appropriate documents. There is also a submitted revised schedule of accounts payable to the COA.

It seems that the Provincial Government was prompt to address the issues but unfortunately, it was not presented to the media as it was just one of the findings which needs to be resolved internally, not with the public.

These are just findings and needs to be complied with. Findings like those mentioned happens also to all LGUs.

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 06:08 AM

^^^^

ang alam ko sir is 2 (two) tents that can accomodate 2000 to 3000 persons.. and may mga additional Wooden Cabins na ginagawa i think 84??

saw the ongoing (fast-track) construction at CWC when i visited more than a wk ago.

^^

estimate sir mga ilang structure kea pinapagawa?

Re:Hotel accommodation

With the influx of tourists and big events in the city & province, CBD Hotel is expanding and scouting for a site, the target # of rooms - 400 (as revealed by officer of the city tourism office.)

more exciting signs!

Bicolana police, awardee of 2011 MetroBank 2011 COPS
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=43309

congratulations :cheers::cheers::cheers:

PNP Camarines Sur bubuo ng tourist police force
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=43321

very timely. with the growing influx of tourists, a specially trained force is necessary.

i hope even among locals there is a more conscious effort at equipping ourselves with tourist-friendly skills.

the sights and sounds and scents are surely attractions but what, stays even longer, is the good memories of a warm, welcoming people :banana::banana::banana:

hakz2007

July 14th, 2011, 06:11 AM

Saen po pwede magparegister sa MILO baka makadalagan ako dyan sa 21K.

english? :hammer:

welcome to CamSur thread! :cheers:

NAGA CITY INFRA BOOM

Constructions @ CBD2 ONLY :)

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4121_picnik.jpg
Center Islands/Street Lights/Waiting Sheds/Mini-Garden

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4120_picnik.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4114_picnik.jpg
Building at the back of STI Naga

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4112_picnik.jpg
Drainage Construction and Improvement

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4109_picnik.jpg
Another building inside St. Joseph School Compound

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4108_picnik.jpg
Commercial Building at the side of St. Joseph School

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4104_picnik.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4102.jpg
Newest Hospital - 3-Storey NICC

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4099_picnik.jpg
BIGGER Bangko Sentral ng Naga
finishing touches on the convention center

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4098.jpg
Naga DEPED new building
inaugurated last July 10

Constructions soon to commence @ CBD2:
1. Puregold
2. Eurotel @ Terminal
3. Kapatid Network - SOS Sir Rands:)
4. STI another building for Accounting Tech & Dev Com

salamat sa mga updates....Pao, papost kaini sa facebook....:cheers:

CamSur

July 14th, 2011, 06:47 AM

^^^^

Exactly sir... hehehe... pero at least we know na ang capitol is not ignoring those findings and they DO necessary steps and what is right to correct those findings..

Cheers for Camarines Sur... :)

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 07:32 AM

by Kristian Cordero (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150255799564362&set=a.10150255799544362.345370.725869361&type=1&comments)

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268922_10150255799564362_725869361_7263722_7055887_n.jpg

garo nag-aaraso' ang librong ini :)
contemporary bikol writing is in full swing.

go kristian! (as well as other writers in the region!)

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 07:36 AM

http://www.airphilexpress.com/images/ads/boracay-express-sale-0714.gif?1310621696657

MNL WNP SEAT SALE
in time for Penafrancia Fiesta!

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 02:03 PM

http://www.cebupacificair.com/banners/banner1.gif

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P588
Manila to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Calbayog, Catarman,
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Davao to Iloilo

P 888
Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao or Zamboanga

www.cebupacificair.com

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 02:06 PM

No cause to panic yet about Saudization - OWWA

ARTICLE | JULY 12, 2011 - 1:54PM

NAGA CITY (July 12, 2011) – Applicants for domestic works in Saudi Arabia need not panic at this time because Saudization is not yet implemented and, if ever, Arab employers still have the prerogative on who to hire and many prefer Filipino workers.

This was the assurance of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 5 to those who applied for work in Saudi Arabia.

According to OWWA Region 5 Communication Officer Bernard John Bonnet, their office is still approving travels of household job applicants to Saudi Arabia amid reports that the Saudi government shall stop hiring Filipino workers because of the high minimum salary that the Philippine government wants imposed.

Bonnet said the policy has been imposed already by the Saudi government but still the employers have the prerogative on who to hire and many still choose Filipino workers because of their work attitude and expertise.

The Bicol Region is one of the regions in the country that has a very large population of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Saudi Arabia and will bear the brunt of total implementation of Saudization.

Saudization is the policy of Saudi Arabia to prioritize Saudi nationals in hiring employees particularly those in low-skill jobs like household works. (Noriel Oya)

www.voxbikol.com

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 02:10 PM

Rethinking Church-State relations

ARTICLE | JULY 14, 2011 - 1:18AM | BY CHE CARPIO

Bishops take their oath at the start of a Senate hearing on the PCSO fund mess yesterday. Photo shows (from left) Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Auxiliary Bishop David Antonio representing Archbishop Ernesto Salgado, Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles and Rev. Martin Jumoad, of Isabela, Basilan. Lower photo shows the vehicles returned by the bishops. (From phistar.com)
“Pajero Bishops” - This is what media has portrayed the seven Catholic prelates who received financial assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during the GMA administration. But, the PCSO never gave out any Pajero. What the bishops actually received was money that they then used to buy the vehicles they needed for charity missions in their respective dioceses.

The bishops reportedly bought the following vehicles: Montero Sport(Bishop Pueblos), Nissan Pathfinder (Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran), Mitsubishi Strada (Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian), Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace (Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo), Mitsubishi Strada (Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad), Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace (Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles), Isuzu Crosswind (Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto Salgado).

The bishops’ dioceses are located outside Metro Manila. And roads in the provinces are far from ideal if at all there are any paved roads. For sure, they can readily explain why they chose the above-listed type of vehicles. Bontoc-Lagawe and Abra are mountainous areas and a Nissan Pathfinder and Mitsubishi Strada would surely fit rough terrain challenges.

Nevertheless, what was really scandalous is the request-letter of Bishop Pueblos to then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for a brand new car as a birthday present. That GMA acceded to the bishop’s request using PCSO money or government funds certainly made the matter worse. It raises questions not only of propriety, but even legality.

We thus welcome the formal apology of the CBCP on the matter. In its pastoral statement entitled, “A time of pain, a time of grace,” our bishops stated, thus:

“As shepherds struggling to love you like Jesus the Good Shepherd, we are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you.”

xxxx

“We assure you that the bishops concerned are ready to accept responsibility for their action and to face the consequences if it would be proven unlawful, anomalous, and unconstitutional. xxxx

“We also assure you, our beloved people, that we shall re-examine the manner of our collaboration with government agencies for purposes of helping the poor, making sure that pastoral sensibilities are respected and the highest ethical standards are observed. We shall examine our values in the light of our vocation to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to the long journey of personal and social transformation required of all disciples of the Lord. We plead with you to walk with us in this path of constant renewal.” (Emphasis ours.)

On this note, we must support our Church to the best we can, so that our leaders do not have to run to the government. But then again, public funds are our money that come from the taxes we pay. Hence, I’d rather see the Church as government’s partner for charity missions than politicians having a freehand over our money for their own interests, especially given the well-entrenched patronage system in our political life that is the root of corruption.

Indeed, this is a time for rethinking Church-State relations.

www.voxbikol.com

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 02:15 PM

Robredo sues police officials in purchase scam

Choppers, boats worth millions among questionable purchases
ARTICLE | JULY 12, 2011 - 12:53PM

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo
MANILA, Philippines (July 12, 2011) - At least four police officials are now being sued for their involvement in questionable multi-million peso procurement of choppers, rubber boats and one patrol boat during the term of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo announced today that he has ordered the filing of charges against Director George Piano, Senior Superintendent Loi Saligumba, Senior Superintendent Nolan Antonia and Superintendent Edgar Bataan - all of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Piano was the head of the PNP Acceptance Inspection Committee; the three others were committee members. The committee's involvement in the procurement of the helicopters, the rubber boats and the patrol boat is undeniable, said Robredo.

Robredo said there is more to PNP’s procurement of overpriced helicopters in 2009. He said that the PNP has also discovered questionable purchases of rubber boats and a patrol boat.

The PNP bought the rubber boats at a cost of P131 million and the patrol boat patrol P90 million.

He said that the patrol boat and the rubber boats, which were bought without bidding after the devastating storm “Ondoy” in 2009, did not comply with the right specifications and remain unclaimed by its target user, the PNP-Maritime Group.

Robredo clarified that the PNP had been investigating the dubious purchase of the helicopters even before Sen. Panfilo Lacson made it public.

Lacson had pressed for the investigation of the police procurement of P105-million worth of supposed brand new light helicopters - one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters - that turned out to be second-hand aircraft.

The senator said the procurement was planned on May 8, 2009 and the purchase contract was awarded in July 9, 2009.

He said that then PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa approved the supply contract worth P104.985 million.

Robredo said that instead of conducting fact-finding investigations first, he asked PNP chief Raul Bacalzo to immediately file cases against the police officials.

“It would be better to file charges [against them] first so [make sure] that they will explain,” the Interior chief said in a press conference.

When asked if PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa might be involved, Robredo replied, “I think so because this all leads [to Verzosa]. He signed all papers for the payments. It doesn’t follow that he erred in this matter, but at least he should explain.”

He said that as PNP chief, he was the approving authority for the purchases. The former PNP chief’s name was also indicated in all the vouchers, he added.

www.voxbikol.com

sonofignatius

July 14th, 2011, 02:42 PM

http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/SiteFiles/2011convo.jpg

Ms Lilia B De Lima (2nd from left) will be awarded the Award for Government Service in the annual Special Convocation at the Ateneo de Manila.

Congratulations, Ms De Lima, Pride of Iriga, Cam Sur and Bikol!

www.ateneo.edu

aidz

July 14th, 2011, 03:13 PM

jardet

July 14th, 2011, 08:15 PM

Source (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150240063772274&set=a.10150105692857274.286239.640927273&type=1&theater)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264196_10150240063772274_640927273_7973103_2004477_n.jpg

Ano na tabi latest sa PNR pagkatapos kan mga pagkaabala asin pagkasuspinde kan mga viaje kaini.:)

makatiprime

July 15th, 2011, 01:24 AM

suspended pa ba ang byahe ngayun?

Naga Boy

July 15th, 2011, 01:28 AM

I always would like to believe the intention of the governor. But the devil in me always finds reason to be skeptic. I hope these remain a worry and not an impending nightmare for the people of Cam Sur.

This is supposed to be a happy thread. So sorry about those issues. Let smile reigns not only in Naga but in the whole province as well.

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

I think critical posts are a- okay in this thread.

Going beyond the icing cake opens up the reality that it is the cake we are up to.

Let us have the icing and eat our cakes too.

Keep on posting similar posts jardet as they induce healthy discusssions and sometimes- solutions.

This thread would never be the same without the 'devilish jardetisms'.:lol:

You equalize father's son's 'heavenly posts'.:lol::lol:

:cheers:

ako_Nagueño

July 15th, 2011, 01:49 AM

Naga City Deck

July 15th, 2011, 02:24 AM

Naga Boy

July 15th, 2011, 02:33 AM

Candid Camera
Tuesday, July 12
SM City Naga

Taken in succession at a period
of 1 PM to 3 PM
at SM City Naga

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Falcon/freeshow001.jpg?t=1310689684

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Falcon/freeshow002.jpg?t=1310689722

The Odyssey Video Shop at the first floor
has been attracting mall goers
for a free show…

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Falcon/freeshow006.jpg?t=1310689872

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Falcon/freeshow007.jpg?t=1310689909

Even Guards an maintenance men
get hooked once in a while …

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Falcon/freeshow003.jpg?t=1310689760

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Falcon/freeshow004.jpg?t=1310689798

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Falcon/freeshow005.jpg?t=1310689837

Silent movie at the balcony...
...for free:)

Naga Boy

July 15th, 2011, 04:41 AM

Right you are Doc :lol:
I love reading your exchange of ideas especially if it's about the icing on our cakes :okay:

No matter how diverse our ideas are in this thread, we still have this equilibrium :okay: :lol: napangirit pati ako sa "devilish jardetisms" and father Xave's "heavenly posts" Kung baga sa Facebook. LIKE! :okay: (this actually started my day :lol:)

Angelic Joan.:)

Like.:lol:

garzland

July 15th, 2011, 05:11 AM

Angelic Joan.:)

Like.:lol:

Right you are Doc :lol:
I love reading your exchange of ideas especially if it's about the icing on our cakes :okay:

No matter how diverse our ideas are in this thread, we still have this equilibrium :okay: :lol: napangirit pati ako sa "devilish jardetisms" and father Xave's "heavenly posts" Kung baga sa Facebook. LIKE! :okay: (this actually started my day :lol:)

I think critical posts are a- okay in this thread.

Going beyond the icing cake opens up the reality that it is the cake we are up to.

Let us have the icing and eat our cakes too.

Keep on posting similar posts jardet as they induce healthy discusssions and sometimes- solutions.

This thread would never be the same without the 'devilish jardetisms'.:lol:

You equalize father's son's 'heavenly posts'.:lol::lol:

:cheers:

Like :okay: :D

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:19 AM

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xani.gif

PRODUCING LOCALLY-TRAINED WORLD CLASS ANIMATORS. This is the rationale behind the existence and continuing operation of the CamSur Animation Studio as it opens anew the screening and registration of trainees for the 8th and 16th batch of Animators and Assistant Animators respectively, held Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, at the CamSur Animation Studio, Capitol Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur. Offered for free, the animation training is conducted under the tutelage of experts Armand Salva II, Benedict Bernardino and Raul Mimay (shown with blue cap in left photo). CamSur Animation Studio, established by Gov. LRay Villafuerte and mainly responsible for the production of the multi-awarded animation flick “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” provides ready employment for those who complete the training, affording them handsome pays based on the length of film they are able to produce. It also serves as a marketing arm for their productions. The TESDA-recognized training is being offered to talented young individuals, at least 18 years old and high school graduate. Classes will start on August 8, 2011.

Source (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/peps&events.html)

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:25 AM

Camella Naga remains flood-free, opens expansion site
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/8167/re6a.jpg

Manila, Philippines - Across the middle of Bicolandia is Camarines Sur -- the province popular for its abundant supply of peppers and pili nuts. Camsur holds one of the most visited pilgrimage centers made prominent by the Peñafrancia festival held every September in honor of the region’s patroness, Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

CamSur is likewise a tourism boon as it presents a milieu of adventures through its long list of spectacular islands -- like the famous Caramoan bay and the Water Sports Complex (CWC), which offers top of the line facilities for, wake boarding, water skiing and wake skating. And less than five-minute drive from these adventures takes you to the gates of Camella Naga!? More: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=706181&publicationSubCategoryId=76

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:28 AM

‘Growth-retarding’ idea
LGU groups oppose Congress’ plan for CamSur
The status of Camarines Sur as an economic and tourism powerhouse could be nipped in the bud by an “unpopular, growth-retarding” congressional plan to split it into two provinces, local officials warned recently.

In separate resolutions, several local government unit associations warned policymakers, legislators and the general public that “any move to dislocate any of the districts or towns from the province” would impact negatively on the tourism industry and hamper the inflow of investments to CamSur.

According to its Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial council, CamSur has posted “extraordinary gains” not only in the field of tourism as a steady source of jobs and revenues, but also in other aspects of development, including agricultural production, healthcare, employment and governance.

Separately, the CamSur chapters of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and Liga ng mga Barangay assailed the move of the House of Representatives to pass House Bill No. 4278 on the eve of Congress’ adjournment last month without the benefit of public consultation to gauge the sentiment of CamSur constituents on this issue.

Authored by Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella, HB 4728 seeks to divide the province and carve a new one out of the fourth and fifth congressional districts, which will be called “Nueva Camarines.”

Because of this, Buhi Mayor and LMP chapter president Rey Lacoste; PCL chapter chief James Jaucian of the municipality of Libmanan, and Liga chapter head Domingo Briones of Barangay Tambo in Pamplona are urging the Senate to dump HB 4728 when the 15th Congress reopens later this month, so as not to derail CamSur’s growth experienced in recent years.

These local executives noted that from being a backwater province, CamSur is now the venue of choice for so-called “extreme sports” enthusiasts worldwide.

Millions of tourists, including internationally acclaimed triathletes, visit the province each year, particularly to the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) and Caramoan Island, the site of five international editions of the immensely popular reality TV show “Survivor.”

Main tourist destination

CamSur eclipsed Boracay Island as the country’s top tourist draw in 2010, reporting thrice the number of visitors (1,879,172) compared to the latter (607,537).

Data from the Department of Tourism’s research and statistics division show that CamSur has also overtaken Metro Manila and Cebu as the country’s main tourist destination in the last two years.

“This plan to carve a new province out of Camarines Sur is so unpopular among residents that its proponents in the House of Representatives had not even dared to hold a single public hearing in CamSur to discuss the issue, knowing that they would not be able to muster support for this hare-brained proposal,” Lacoste pointed out.

“We are appealing to our senators to rescue CamSur from this ill-conceived and highly partisan scheme by nipping it in the bud in the Senate when the 15th Congress reopens for its second legislative session,” he added.

“Keeping CamSur intact would ensure the continuity of the provincial government’s well-studied, carefully mapped out plan to sustain and even boost its current economic boom.”

Jaucian, in the meantime, explained that HB 4728 was unnecessary because an existing law—Republic Act No. 7820 or the Partido Development Act of 1994—already reflects the spirit and intent of the bill.

The existing law covers almost all the areas in the proposed Nueva Camarines, which would be carved out from the existing 4th and 5th districts of Camarines Sur.

This 17-year-old law, which set up the Partido Development Authority as a corporate entity supposedly overseeing the economic development of the Partido areas under its jurisdiction, has provided Partido with its own funding source and authority to enter into transactions independent from the provincial government.

The proposed Nueva Camarines will include the city of Iriga, the municipalities of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Bula, Nabua, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Sagnay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon and Tinambac.

Only the towns of Baao, Balatan, Bato and Bula are not covered by the Partido area created under RA 7820.http://business.inquirer.net/7004/%E2%80%98growth-retarding%E2%80%99-idea

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:31 AM

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xyoga.gif

YOGA for Health. Acclaimed fitness consultant Paulo Leonido (seated in front) from Metro-Manila conducted free yoga lessons at the La Piazza Ballroom, Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga City on July 12, 2011. Photo shows the more than 40 participants learning the techniques on proper breathing, postures (asanas), relaxation, and meditation. The Olympia Gym & Sauna of Avenue Plaza Hotel offers regular lessons on yoga, Latin cardio, Pilates, and supervised workouts.

Source (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/peps&events.html)

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:35 AM

6 of 9 Ombudsman raps vs Gov. LRay dismissed
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xsec.gif

PILI, Camarines Sur --- Finding no merit or sufficient proof to indict Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr., the Office of the Ombudsman had dismissed six of the nine Ombudsman cases against him, based on documents obtained by the Bicol Mail this week.

Eight of the cases were filed by former Camarines Sur provincial board member Carlo Batalla and one case by one Alexander Gaite of Baao, Camarines Sur.

Batalla’s Ombudsman cases against Villafuerte posted on his website http://carlobatalla.webs.com ranged from allegations that the latter violated Local Government Code (R.A. 7160), Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices (R.A. 3019), Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials to Government Auditing Code (Presidential Decree 1445).

The one-time provincial board member, from 2007 to 2010, built the eight Ombudsman cases against Villafuerte by adopting the Report of the COA Audit. More: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xmissed.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:36 AM

Lesson learned
Allies of Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte have asserted that a campaign to discredit the governor is being implemented in order to speed up the “balkanization” of the province with the creation of an entirely new one. According to them, Villafuerte’s and local residents’ opposition to a House bill that seeks to create Nueva Camarines, made up of the booming tourist towns of the current province, is behind the drive.

House Bill 4728 seeks to create the new province from the once-sleepy “Partido” area of Camarines Sur, from the existing fourth and fifth congressional districts, which include the city of Iriga and the municipalities of Bato, Balatan, Bato, Bula, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Nabua, Presentacion, Sagnay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon and Tinambac.

The high-growth area has been a top tourist draw in recent years, especially the island of Caramoan. Caramoan’s famed CamSur Watersports Complex has become the top eco-tourism site of the Philippines, boasting of thrice the number of visitors compared to Boracay Island in 2010. The Department of Tourism’s Research and Statistics Division said CamSur has also overtaken Metro Manila and Cebu as the country’s No. 1 tourist destination in the last two years.

The economic success of Camarines Sur, an erstwhile backwater province in the Bicol region that is often a fixture of underdevelopment lists, can only be described as phenomenal. Once a haven for communist insurgents, this province is now the venue-of-choice for extreme sports enthusiasts across the globe.

But Villafuerte and local residents say that the success of the formerly underdeveloped part of the province is perhaps the best argument against the creation of Nueva Camarines. The improvements were mostly the initiative of current local executives, and the people want development to remain in Camarines Sur.

The province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan, its Mayors’ League, Councilors’ League and Association of Barangay Captains have all opposed the division of CamSur. The League of Provinces of the Philippines has also adopted a resolution declaring a moratorium on the creation of new provinces all over the country.

* * *

The proponents of House Bill 4728 have pointed out that Nueva Camarines can comply with all the requirements of the Local Government Code in terms of average annual income, population and land area without diminishing the minimum requirements and income classification of the mother province from which it would be cut off. But HB 4728 will give all of the success of Camarines Sur to the people who never worked for it, and who want to inherit a new province by appointing their own to head it up.

The House, by the way, passed HB 4782 right before it adjourned at the end of its last session. Now its backers want the House-approved bill also passed in the Senate.

The opposition of Villafuerte to Nueva Camarines is the reason why the reports of his supposedly being involved in anomalous transactions are coming out, according to the governor. The people who are disseminating this information also fail to point out that many of the supposed graft cases filed against the governor have already been dismissed or have been filed multiple times by the same complainants.

Some have pointed out that what Camarines Sur needs is not to have its resurgent portions ripped out of it to create a new province, but for better implementation of an existing law that is already in effect since 1994. The Partido Development Act, which set up the Partido Development Authority as a corporate entity already oversees the economic development of the Partido towns and gives Partido its own funding source and authority to transact business independent of the provincial government.

Of course, to some people who would benefit from the creation of a new province, nothing less than gerrymandering will suffice. If they can pull it off, of course. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2011/july/14/jojorobles.isx&d=2011/july/14

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:38 AM

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xrota1.gif

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xrota2.gif

FREE FEEDING. Last July 2,2011 The Rotary Club of Naga sponsored and conducted a feeding program in Bgy. Pacol, Naga City. The beneficiaries included 73 malnourished children and 20 indigent parents who were under the care of the Franciscansof the Immaculate community. Present during the activity were President Mike Pauig, RS Gemma Pauig, RK Yusof Pauig, Sec. Carlo Villanueva, PP Aquiles Lo, RS Cherry Lo, PP Jun Villegas, PP Nitoy De la Rosa, Rtn Fr. Rex Alarcon, Rtn Fr. Louie Occiano, Fr. Rev Roy Remo, Fr. Rev William Parde, RS Anne Delloro, Rtn Timmy Romero, Rtn Erning Imperial, Rtn Nevy Alcovindas, Rtn Neil Peñaflor, Rtn Edwin Parañal, Rtn Dennis Caramoan, PP Francis Dabu, RS Magda Dabu, Rtn Alex Cruz, Rtn Willy Bisana, Rtn Franz Canlas, PP Tom Enrile, Rtn Dado Uy, RS Jing Uy, RK Ruben Uy, RK Jordan Uy, Rtn Boy Aman, and Rtn Benjie Barroga of RC Metro Naga.

Source (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/peps&events.html)

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:43 AM

7th Bicol Business Week, 20th South Luzon Biz Confab
Metro Naga, CamSur to fire up Bicol trade
ALL roads lead to Naga City and the neighboring capital town of Pili, Camarines Sur next month for the six-day Bicol Business Week (BBW) of Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s three-day South Luzon Area Business Conference (SOLABC).

Both events, which will kick off August 26 and 25, respectively, are expected to draw an influx of traders, exhibitors, development players, shoppers, and supporters from various regions of the country.

CSCCI Director and SOLABC Public Relations Officer Ernie Abragan said the Department of Interior and Local Governments assured the issuance of memorandum circular allowing the attendance in the conference of the mayors and vice mayors in 35 towns and two cities in Camarines Sur, including the respective officers of the One Town One Product (OTOP) project in each local government unit.

Apart from their separate goals, BBW and SOLABC are also focused at creating new opportunities and investment areas through business matching and networking among the events’ attendees.

Bicol Business Week

MNCCI President Philip T. Imperial said BBW continues to become an excellent avenue for investors coming from national and multinational companies exploring regional opportunities as Bicolandia’s biggest trade event.

One of the trade fair’s highlights is a formal discussion about the updates on new investments areas, state-of-the-art technologies and product trends including holding of forums on environmental protection/conservation, agriculture, entrepreneurship and the prospects in “green” investments.

This year’s BBW, which will be held at the Naga City Coliseum at Central Business District II, includes in its list of activities and events the Great Naga Sale and the establishment of booths for the garage sale by micro-entrepreneurs.

Imperial said a festive opening for the Great Naga Sale will be held at the People’s Mall in CBD I which will be immediately followed by a parade of floats to be participated in by the 6 provinces of the Bicol Region. The parade will end at the Naga City Coliseum.

The Great Naga Sale is a product of the ingenuity of the administration of Mayor John Bongat which is aimed at perking up the local businesses by offering from 10% to 50% sales discounts to customers and shoppers during the lean month of August.

Among those invited to grace the trade show: presidential sister Ballsy Aquino Cruz, inspirational speaker Bo Sanchez, Gov. LRay Villafuerte, Francis Kong, Cong. Luis Villafuerte, Senator Pia Cayetano, Cong. Teddy Casiño and Ms. Loida Nicolas Lewis.

South Luzon conference

Anchored on the theme, “Leveraging Growth and New Opportunities under a Strong and Dynamic Public-Private Partnership. One, Global, Filipino,” the activity seeks to establish various investment and trade undertakings in South Luzon.

More than 500 development partners from government and private sectors across the country will troop to Camarines Sur Convention Center in Pili, Camarines Sur for the 3-day event organized by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI).

President Benigno Aquino III will be this year’s keynote speaker leading the discussion regarding opportunities and projects in local and international markets in four major areas: agri-business, tourism, information technology, trade/industry and financing.

CSCCI President Jeremie Lo, a trader known for his advocacy on farmers’ wellbeing, said they are looking forward to positive results that will be achieved from the business conference which “will consequently redound to the improvement of the lives of the Filipino and growth of the economy.”

The CSCCI is rallying behind the advocacy of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to build a single private sector position on key energy issues and provide private industries to marshal healthy competition to bring down the cost of electricity.

Discussions among trade and corporate leaders about strategies, mechanisms, and structures promoting local and regional business towards global preparedness and competitiveness will also be undertaken.

Financing institutions are also represented in the Conference to promote enterprise opportunity for entrepreneurial companies with limited access to economic resources.

Among the Conference’s speakers from the government include: Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, DOT Secretary Alberto A. Lim, Cong. Luis R. Villafuerte, PNR General Manager Junio M. Ragragio, Senator Peter Allan Cayetano, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, Congressman Jack C. Enrile, and DOE Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.

Speakers from the private sector are: YYD System Interior, Inc. President Wen-Ju Chen, Architect Felino Palafox Jr., Chairman Guillermo M. Luz, National Competitiveness Council, Atty. Santiago D. Ortega Jr., president University of Saint Anthony, AVP/Country Manager Craig Bauwens, Sutherland Global Services and a representative of Bayantel.http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xfire.html

Naga Boy

July 15th, 2011, 07:46 AM

Camella Naga remains flood-free, opens expansion site
More: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=706181&publicationSubCategoryId=76

This is now the third subdivision of Camella in Naga.

The first was Tremezzo and Lessandra (both in del Rosario) and the Camella Heights in Cararayan.

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:48 AM

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xco.gif
WHEELCHAIR. In the photo is a happy recipient of a wheelchair being distributed at Our Lady of Victory, Araneta, Manila last May, 2011 where disabled persons were personally fitted to new wheelchairs being sponsored by the Knights of Columbus in partnership with the American Wheelchair Mission. At the background is Chris Lewis, a Knight of Columbus, and President of the American Wheelchair Mission. He is in Naga City for a week to offer free wheelchairs and ambulatory devices for the disabled who are in need of mobility, but are not in a position to purchase them.

Source (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/peps&events.html)

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 07:58 AM

Naga Smiles to Kalibo
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xsmol.gif

July 9, 2011 (Sunday) Bicol welcomed its friends from Kalibo, Aklan, the Ati-atihan Tourism Council, which had its familiarization tour to Bicol recently. This tour was intended to showcase the beauty of Bicol’s destinations, and highlight the richness of its history, culture and people. This three days tour was facilitated by the Bicol Regional Tourism Council and the Department of Tourism, in partnership with the LGUs of the cities of Legaspi and Naga. This Bicol Familiarization Tour started in Albay. Among the many tourists sites visited were the Cagsawa Ruins, Lingon Hill, and the Embarcadero. Other tourists destinations were visited like hotels, restaurants, markets, churches, in Albay. Their tour in Camarines Sur started with the world famous CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC).

The Kalibo Ati-atihan Tourism Council (KAATC) was headed by its Chairman Mr Teodorico Salas and the Kalibo Tourism Officer Rhea.

From CWC, the group experienced Naga by night, with some officers and members of the Naga City Tourism Council and BATTO. The following day, they experienced the Naga City Tour, visiting Naga City’s famous landmarks like the Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral, Universidad de Sta Isabel, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, Museum, Penafrancia Shrine, Basilica Minore and the Panicuason Hot Springs. They also had their familiarization tours to some hotels in Naga, like the Villa Caceres and Avenue Plaza Hotel. To cap the day, they visited the Naga City Coliseum the Naga People’s Mall and SM City Naga.

In their last evening in Bicol, they met Camarines Sur Vice Governor Ato Pena at the Avenue Plaza Hotel and a dinner in their honor was graciously tendered for them by Naga City Mayor John Bongat at the Bob Marlin Restaurant, were the guests were feted to Bicol delicacies like pinangat, bicol express, kinunot, laing, and crispy pata. Naga City Tourism Officer Alec Santos made a very impressive presentation of “Naga Smiles to the World” that captivated everybody, even Bicolanos present like TESDA Provincial Director Manny Buban, Flying Ventures President Tess Beluang, NCIB Vice Chair Jorge Palma, BATTO President Lewis Boni and Manny Palino of the CWC.

Events like this showcase not only the tourists destinations on the place, but most important the robust private-partnership necessary for a more sustainable and significant tourism development. It is expected that other tours from well-established tourist destinations, like Cebu, Davao, Palawan and Bohol are forthcoming for Bicol, Camarines Sur and Naga to SMILE to the world. This is designed to increase further domestic tourism in Bicol which constitute 77% of our tourist arrivals for the first quarter of 2011, generating for Bicol a gross receipts of Php 211,479,600. http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xkalibo.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:02 AM

FIRST QUARTER OF 2011
Bicol chalks up P414M in tourism receipts
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xbat.gif
STAKEHOLDERS. The Bicol Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators chaired by Danny de Leon in one of its meetings at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in Naga City.

NAGA CITY --- Tourism continuously takes center- stage in generating additional income and employment for the various stakeholders and beneficiaries in Bicol .

From the official figures culled by the Bicol Regional Tourism Council (BRTC) from the regional office Department of Tourism, Regional V office in Legazpi City for the 1st quarter of this year, Camarines Sur and Naga accounted for 59% or 406,036 of the entire tourist arrivals in Bicol, or 406,036.

Albay/Legaspi City comes next with 121,867 (18%), followed by Masbate with 45,472 (7%), Camarines Norte, 43,765 (7%); Catanduanes, 36,322 (5%); and Sorsogon with 32,295 (4%). The total tourists arrivals for the region is 685,757, of this are 528,699 domestic tourists and 157,058 foreign.

In Gross Receipts, the regional total amounted to P414,084,420.00, with Camarines Sur and Naga City accounting for 55% or P278,960,590 of the total; Albay/Legaspi City – P94,214,230. (23%); Catanduanes with P25,325,390; Camarines Norte, P24,981,110; Sorsogon, 21,591,940; and Masbate, with P19,011,160.

As of this writing, Bicol tourism leaders are on their way to the 10th Bicol Tourism, Trade and Investment Mission to the USA, from July 13 – 20, 2011.

Leading the Mission are Regional Director Nini Ravanilla of DOT, CamSur Governor L-Ray Villafuerte, Albay Vice Governor Harold Imperial, Ex-City Mayor of Legaspi Noel Rosal, Daet Mayor Tito Sarion, Caramoan Mayor Constantino Cordial, and Bicol Regional Tourism Council Chairman Danny de Leon. They are to meet with more than 25 Chapter – association members throughout the USA at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonvllle Riverfront Hotel in Florida, USA. From there, the Mission will meet another big group of Bicolanos/Filipinos in Los Angeles, California.

Recently, the Bicol Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (BATTO), had their 3rd Board and General Membership Meeting at the Board Room of the Avenue Plaza Hotel in Naga City. This group is composed of 21 Travel Agencies and Tour Operators in the six provinces of the region. They are working in tandem with government to manage, promote and sustain the growing tourism industry in the region.

BATTO, in partnership with NAITAS, the biggest tour operators association in the Philippines, had their tour of Shanghai, China to explore the more lucrative and growing Chinese market. They are scheduled to be in Dubai for the Middle East market, then a three-country mission in Asia to meet and establish business partnerships with their counterparts in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The robust partnership between government and private tourism leaders, advocates and associates is the key to a more sustainable tourism development in the Bicol region. http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xtourism.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:18 AM

Binay to address the 20th SOLABC plenary
Camarines Sur -- Vice President Jejomar Binay has confirmed his attendance as one of the keynote speakers during the plenary of the 20th South Luzon Area Business Conference (SOLABC) slated on August 27- 28, at the Capitol Complex.

The congregate business assembly is to be hosted by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry(CSCCI) in cooperation with the provincial government of Camarines Sur.

Jeremie S. Lo, President of CSCCI said that they had invited potential speakers pave ways to upgrade the confidence residing in the local’s home- grown business viewpoint. “ We are traversing in a global village and everything is possible, this is a welcome scenario, however it is too tough to compete with the multinational trend once we are empty about modern acquaintances and skills. We might be -- like in the traffic chaos situation -- overrun by the present drift,” he added.

Among the listed all-around speakers that had confirmed their attendance include : Hon. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte; governor Camarines Sur, Junio M. Ragragio ; Gen. Manager- Phil. National Railways, Atty. Allan Gepty; Deputy Director General –Intellectual Property Rights of the Phil., Guillermo M. Luz; Chairman - National Competitiveness Council ,Hon. Luis R. Villafuerte; Congressman- 3rd District Cam. Sur; Hon. Proceso Alcala; Secretary -- Dept. of Agriculture, Hon. Gregory L. Domingo; Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, Craig Bauwens; AVP Country Manager Sutherland Global Services, Hon. Rene Almendras; Secretary of the Department of Energy, Hon. Jack Enrile; Congressman Ist District, Cagayan Province, Atty. Santiago D. Ortega, Jr.; President- University of Saint Anthony, Eugene Acevedo; President of the Philippine National Bank Finance Center and Wen – Ju Chen; Founding President of Taiwanese Chamber of the South Philippines.

In related development, regular business survey in May this year indicates that recent events have only underlined the increasingly disjointed nature of the global economic recovery, as the rich world’s economic prospects have darkened slightly, it fears however that the compounding trend in the poor fiscal health of Western economies will continue to take place, world business analysts said.

While China and India took new measures to a quiet fervent and inflation economic expansions the Philippines should also take the new steps in addressing our economic hangover due to the world’s slowdown, local analysts said.

The SOLABC consequently ,on its prepared economic card to address, will take the center piece of an aggressive step toward a build-up ” Public and Private Partnership” urged by the government, CSCCI director Ernie Abragan said.

However, we can’t just prescribe medicines for an ailment in the absence of a proper diagnosis, akin with the business woes at hand .Corporate mechanism should thrive first in the huddle of the local business community to notice some changes. Thus in order to see the sound economy to take off against the global receptiveness local business community should as well work one way or the other on the guise of a prerequisite one vision ,one direction goals in business, Abragan added as saying.http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xsola.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:22 AM

The CamSur boom story: Did you feel that?
IN Iriga City, one of the two thriving cities of Camarines Sur, Victor Buendia, 27, watched a Chinese national board a van at the city’s transport terminal. The Chinese visitor was on his way to the City of Naga, another urban center in the province 34.98 km away from Iriga City.

“He’s probably going there to visit Naga’s dynamic business activities or experience water adventure at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) in nearby capital town of Pili,” Buendia said. “We see a lot of them here.”

Buendia has been working as a dispatcher at the van terminal in Iriga City for eight years now since he turned 19. His job involves calling out to passengers, scheduling trips, arranging van rentals and, of course, providing travel information assistance to foreign tourists that in turn reward him with a daily income of P250 to P500.

Like most residents of Camarines Sur, Buendia believes that tourist arrivals in the province went up considerably during the past ten years. From a common man’s point of view, he saw how the province became more popular with foreign visitors because of its CWC and white beaches that helped boost his and his fellow daily earners’ income. More: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xboom.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:25 AM

'Nueva Camarines' would cost too much - Peña
NAGA CITY --- Following the sentiments of the governor, Camarines Sur’s second highest official and other members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan believe that the birth of a new province under HB 4820, otherwise known as “An Act Creating Nueva Camarines,” would drain the national government of too much funds.

CamSur Vice Gov. Fortunato ‘Ato’ Peña said that the measure might bring answers to some of the most pressing problems of poverty and accessibility in some municipalities of the province but it would also leave dry the treasury where billions of pesos of taxpayers’ money would have to be expended to build a new province out of an existing one.

He explained that in the event that Nueva Camarines is created, its mother province which is Camarines Sur and the Philippine government would have to allot billions of pesos to establish a new provincial government with its own provincial capitol and other buildings, services and facilities.

Peña said the idea would also lead to depletion of resources, resulting to less income for both provinces in the following years to come.

Taking the example of the People’s Republic of China, he said that what every struggling local government unit needs is consolidation of its component territories and not division because it would only scatter the resources that can be put together to further nurture or develop the state or province.

On the other hand, he said the intentions of the proponent of HB 4820, otherwise known as an “An Act Creating Nueva Camarines,” may be honorable enough and may, in fact, be beneficial to constituents in some ways.

Meanwhile, Provincial Board Member Charie Pante has expressed support to the House Bill, saying that she and some members of the provincial board believe that the division of CamSur would make it easier for local leaders to address problems within their respective areas of jurisdiction. She said that the smaller territories would be easier to monitor and navigate under the new territorial demarcation.

She added that the new provincial government would present more opportunities for aspiring public servants, giving way to new leaders.

On its 25th regular session this year, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of CamSur debated over the House Bill and the resolution proposing cross-reference of the bill to the Special Committee on Bicol Economic Development.

Meanwhile, House Bill 4820 is now for final and third reading preparatory to approval by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xcost.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:27 AM

LRay rebuts graft charges, says Robredo twisted facts
PILI, Camarines Sur – Gov. LRay Villafuerte pointedly accused DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo with being excessively “fixated” with how the province of Camarines is being run when he should be focusing on more important problems of the country even as he decried alleged graft charges filed against him and charged DILG Sec. Robredo twisted and overlooked facts of the cases.

This developed in the wake of a recent report quoting Sec. Robredo that the DILG is cooperating with the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the complaints filed against the governor.

In a statement Gov. Villafuerte declared Sec. Robredo makes it appear the COA has found proof of wrongdoing when in fact the items alluded to were mere observations in the 2009 COA audit report which have already been corrected and reconciled with the COA.

Such observations do not constitute wrongdoing, as Sec. Robredo being a former local executive knows fully well, having been subject of similar observations of the COA when the secretary himself was still mayor of the City of Naga.

In fact the COA audit report of the same year (2009) cited three observations in Naga City during Robredo’s term as mayor involving correctness of Naga’s assets that could not be ascertained; cash advances of almost P1 million made without accounting of previous advances; and cash advances worth P5 million that were not liquidated within the prescribed period.

“These do not mean that Secretary Robredo, while still city mayor, committed any wrongdoing,” Gov. Villafuerte pointed out.

Moreover, the governor deplored Secretary Robredo’s exaggeration and failure to disclose significant facts.

Only 9 and not 11 complaints as reported were filed against him and 6 of them have been dismissed; the three pending cases have nothing to do with corrupt practices as inferred, one simply regarding the separation from service of a casual employee; and that all of the cases were filed by a single person, a former provincial board member who served one term and never even got re-elected.

Sec. Robredo also omitted to mention that Gov. Villafuerte filed a case with the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of two memorandum-circulars issued by the secretary, one of them regarding the prohibition for local government units to use internal revenue allotment for development project funds for maintenance and operating expenses.

“I wonder why Secretary Robredo seems to be fixated with how the province of Camarines Sur is being run when he should be focused on more important problems such as lowering the country’s crime rate,” Gov. Villafuerte added. http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xgraft.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:30 AM

No prov’l funds to be spent for hosting Cobra 70.3
PILI, Camarines Sur --- The province’s reputation for successfully holding international events will again be brought to the fore when the provincial government and Governor LRay Villafuerte play host for the third successive year the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines this coming August 13-14.

Better still, no provincial funds will be expended in connection with this international event that will, however, directly and indirectly benefit Cam\Sur’s sports and eco-tourism thrust and the local economy.

The holding of this prestigious international sports event here is part of the comprehensive sports and eco-tourism thrust of Governor LRay Villafuerte that has hugely contributed to Cam\Sur’s earning the top spot among tourist destinations of the country and a prominent spot in the extreme sports map of the world popularly favored for wakeboarding, mountain bike trails, triathlon and other extreme sports events.

The province does not have to lay out funds to stage the Cobra 70.3 Philippines. The swim segment will be staged at the two man-made lakes of the |CWC which is in top form the whole year round and the same is true with the run and cycling legs which will follow the courses used in the last two years and will only require repairs which are now being attended to by the provincial and national agencies.

Already, all routes which the triathletes will pass through have already been surveyed and inspected to see to it that they are in the best possible condition and secure for participants and spectators alike. Through representation made by Gov. LRay Villafuerte with Secretary Rogelio Singson, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will undertake the asphalt overlay of damaged roads in time for the international triathlon.

The governor pointed out that no public funds will be spent for the holding of Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines here because the event is sponsored by several well-known private companies.

To date, around 1,000 triathletes have already registered including noted personalities Australian Pete Jacobs, last year’s champion Cobra Ironman, Sweden national Fredrick Croneborg who placed third.

The countries which will be represented in this sports event include Brazil, U.S., New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hongkong, Guam, Taiwan, UK, India, Norway, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Switzerland and Austria.

Thousand of tourists and visitors are expected to flock to CamSur during the triathlon to witness this memorable sports event.http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xspent.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:31 AM

Casureco II pabor na magparegistro sa CDA
Kun namemeligrong matunaw na an National Electrification Administration (NEA) sa presenting administracion ni Presidente Benigno Aquino III, an Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative (Casureco II), Inc. pabor sa propuesto na iregistro an cooperativa sa Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) bilang stock cooperative.

Sinabi ni OIC General Manager Jane Barrameda kan Casureco II an pigtutulod na propuesto kan Department of Energy (DOE) iregistro an cooperativa sa Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), alagad mas pabor siya sa stock cooperative kun icocomparar sa SEC na magiging “private na private” an operacion.

Kun iregistro sa CDA mas marhay ini huli ta an may sadiri iyo an consumedores puedi pang pabulosan nin corriente an mga fuerang lugar mientras na kun sa SEC ciertong an privadong negociante dai sinda matiaga na pailawan sa mga sitio huli ta bilang sana sa muro an pueding mapailawan na mga harong mientras na milyones pesos an gagastoson kaya maisip an negociante dapat dai sinda malugi, sabi pa ni Barrameda.

Sinabi pa na kun pigtutulod kan National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reform (NASECORE), Inc Camarines Sur Chapter na iconverter na an Casureco II sa stock cooperative iyan saindang deretso huli ta sinda consumedores. More: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/bb-story.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:33 AM

UNEP alumna, a MetroBank 2011 outstanding cop
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This year’s recipient of the 2011 Metrobank Foundation Search for the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) is a fulfilled and a rewarded woman of integrity, a University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) alumna and a native of Tigaon, Camarines Sur. Police Chief Inspector Delia Jacob Ingalla made the UNEP College of Criminology even more proud that a distinguished woman like her will hail from their rank.

Ingalla earned the jurors’ nod as one of the winners under the Police Commissioned Officers Category for her perseverance to excel in solving and preventing crimes in her community and for keeping her honor and uprightness as a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Ingalla is currently stationed at the Taguig Police Station as Chief of the Women and Protection Desk (WCPD) and Family , Juvenile, Gender and Development (FJGAD) Section.
More: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xunep.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:34 AM

Recall vs Alcalde Arceño pigsangat na sa Comelec
Pasacao, Camarines Sur – An pinaka-premirong petition for recall sa Camarines Sur asin maging sa rehiyon Bicol pigplantiar na kasuodmang aga sa Comelec sa banwaan na ini contra ki Alcalde Asuncion ‘Ava’ Villamante Arceño matapos makakalap nin sobra sa viente (20) por cientong pirma kan registradong votantes base sa pigmamando kan ley.

Pinangenotan ni Consejal Niño Tayco, mayoriang kapitanes de barangay, mga SK chairman, mga barangay kagawad asin maabot sa on mil na suportadores an nagpasiring sa Comelec sa pagsangat kan petition for recall. Antes nagpasiring sa Comelec an grupo nin mga Pasaqueño na nagsusuporta sa peticion nag-atendir muna sa ginibong misa sa St. Rose of Lima Parish, kan Pasacao.

Pigrecibe ni Election Officer Rodolfo Sto. Domingo, an mga mahibog na documentos sa recall petition asin saiyang sinabi na matapos kan gigibohon nindang pagvalidar kan papeles tulos i-indorsar sa Comelec central office nganing iyo an magdecicion sa pagtalaan nin recall election. More:http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xcomelec.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:35 AM

Ava, preparado laban sa recall
Preparado kami laban sa recall, ini an pahayag sa miembros kan media ni Alcalde Asuncion “Ava” Villamante Arceño matapos recibihon na kan oficina local kan Comelec sa Pasacao, Camarines Sur an documentos sa petition for recall na pigplantiar kan grupo ni Consejal Niño Tayco.

Antes nagpasiring sa Comelec an grupo ni Tayco kaibahan an saiyang suportadores sa recall, nagtiripon man an suportadores kan alcalde asin nagpahayag na dai sinda mapabaya nganing surogon si Ava. Nag-miting na sinda kan mga gigibohon na lakdang sagcod na mag-andam kun mangyari na magpako nin recall election an Comelec.

Alagad dai man basta ma-uyon an Comelec sa recall election dawa pigsasabi na maabot sa 9 mil na registradong votantes an mga nakapirma sa recall petition huli ta kinakaipuhan na adalan na marhay an dahilan asin documentos, sabi pa kan alcalde. More:http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xlaban.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:36 AM

Three road projects opened in Partido
LEGAZPI CITY --- At least three concrete road projects worth P140 million were finally opened to travelers, boosting the tourism potential of the Partido district in Camarines Sur, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol said Monday.

DPWH Regional Director Danilo Dequito said that the P140 Million budget was part of the allocation released in the last quarter of 2010 for the agency’s Various Infrastructures Including Local Projects (VIILP). “P35 M was allotted for Goa-Tinambac, Goa Section; P45 M for Goa-Tinambac, Tinambac Section; and, P60 M for Tinambac-Tamban Road, both for Tinambac and Tamban Sections,” the public works director added.

Dequito said Camarines Sur’s five congressional districts have a total allocation of P1.243 billion in the DPWH FY 2011 Infrastructure Program (based on GAA-RA 10147), broken down as follows: P77.591M; P718.683M; P23.471M; P344.315M; and, P79.249M, respectively, from first to fifth districts.

At the inaugural rites held recently, Congressman and Deputy House Speaker Noli Fuentebella said the project would bring convenience and comfort to travelers specially local and foreign tourists visiting the Partido, or fourth congressional district of the province.

“In the old days, we have to wait for good weather to prevail so as muddied road would dry up for public transport to resume its operations,” Congressman Fuentebella added.

Engr. Jose Remo, retired employee of Camarines Sur District Engineering Office (DEO), now 91, said “that is a dream come true” after waiting for almost 60 years since their office opened the Goa-Tinambac Road.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Tinambac also expressed its gratitude to the DPWH for the realization of the road concreting projects in their municipality through Resolution No. 11-045, series of 2011.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson who graced the event said: “We have an aggressive program to improve the quality and safety of our national roads and bridges in the next five years, particularly those that lead to tourist destinations and urban centers.”

He added that Camarines Sur has been given priority in the construction and rehabilitation of roads because of its tourism potentials.http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xroad.html

hakz2007

July 15th, 2011, 08:43 AM

ISYU SA PAGCREAR KAN NUEVA CAM
SP CSur nagpasurog na ki Speaker Belmonte
Pili, Camarines Sur – Nakalusot na sa ika-duwang pagbasa sa Congreso alagad an Sanggunian Panlalawigan kan Camarines Sur maprovar na pugolon muna na isakat sa ika-tulong pagbasa an House Bill 4820 o an pagcrear kan Nueva Camarines nganing adalan muna kan Special Committee on Bicol Economic Development na an chairman si Diputado Salvio Fortuno kan ika-limang distrito kan Camarines Sur.

An Sanggunian Panlalawigan kan CamSur nagpasar nin resolucion na naghuhurot ki House Speaker Sonny Belmonte dapat ipasa muna an bill sa sinambit na special committee nganing adalan na marhay sa pagtubod na an propuestong pagbanga kan Camarines Sur kinakaipuhan adalan na marhay asin isunad sa maninigong consultacion sa namamanuan kan provincia. More: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xcsur.html

oragon.com

July 15th, 2011, 10:41 AM

Plan to split CamSur bucked
By BEN R. ROSARIO
July 14, 2011, 5:24pm

MANILA, Philippines — Local leaders in Camarines Sur have called on legislators to thumb down a bill seeking to “balkanize the province into two smaller provinces” even as they warned that the move might put an abrupt end to the province’s “phenomenal” progress as an economic powerhouse and top destination for ecotourism and extreme sports.

Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Camarines Sur chapter, warned that approval of House Bill 4728 authored by Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella “would put its economic gains to waste” because dividing the province will weaken local government units and discontinue the successful economic plans already being implemented.

Airing the same apprehension, Chairman Domingo Briones, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Camarines Sur, urged senators to junk a counterpart bill.

On the other hand, Councilor James Jaucian who heads the Philippine Councilors Leage-CamSur chapter, said the bid to carve out Nueva Camarines from Camarines Sur is “obviously being done for political advantage.”

“The creation of a new province out of CamSur is unnecessary, and a monumental waste of government resources, time and energy. Such a move has garnered not even an ounce of support from the vast majority of residents of CamSur,” Jaucian said.

Lacoste and Jaucian pointed out that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed a resolution assailing HB 4728. Majority of municipal and city councils also passed their own paper rejecting the controversial bill.

Earlier, Camarines Sur Rep. Salvio Fortuno revealed that local officials in the affected localities have aired strong opposition to HB 4728 as they pointed out that the move is a clear case of “gerrymandering.”

Fortuno has protested the second reading approval of HB 4728, pointing out that legislative processes have not been exhausted. He noted that the House leadership had acted on the bill with unusual dispatch, failing to consider the strong opposition against it.

www.mb.com.ph

jardet

July 15th, 2011, 11:26 AM

garzland

July 15th, 2011, 11:42 AM

^^Grabe kaya ang may ugaling an-it... Ata maray na ang padalagan ni Gov. L-ray pigraraot sana kan iba...

Mala ngani ta dakol na mga kaso ang cleared asin nasimbagan nin maayos ni Lrey...

garzland

July 15th, 2011, 11:43 AM

Three road projects opened in Partido
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xroad.html

Pirmi ako igdi nagaagi sa Tamba... Magayon na ang tinamapo kundi may 1 kilometer pang dae sementado. Dati 2 hours ang byahe from Naga - Tamban ngunyan 1 hour and 10 minutes na lang :okay:

Naga City Deck

July 15th, 2011, 03:32 PM

Angelic Joan.:)

Like.:lol:

:angel1:
:rofl:

^^ ano daw kung ang iriwal kan mga politiko sa provincia magin karera sa paghatod nin mga proyekto sa mga tawo, seguro mas asensado na an provincia. ano daw kun an lambang batikos sa lambang saro sainda katampad nin sarong kilometrong konkretong tinampo nahahaman, seguro progresibo na gabos na an mga hararayong barangay sa provincia:nuts:

hayyy.. sana nga talaga arog po kayan

^^Grabe kaya ang may ugaling an-it... Ata maray na ang padalagan ni Gov. L-ray pigraraot sana kan iba...

Mala ngani ta dakol na mga kaso ang cleared asin nasimbagan nin maayos ni Lrey...

i'm just wondering... igwa bang probinsya digdi sa Pilipinas na mayong issue na iriwal kang mga politico? :nuts: :lol:

jhid

July 15th, 2011, 04:15 PM

:angel1:
:rofl:

i'm just wondering... igwa bang probinsya digdi sa Pilipinas na mayong issue na iriwal kang mga politico? :nuts: :lol:

Gari wara man sigurong probinsya digdi sa Pilipinas na sobrang stable ang political climate :) Kaya lang sana ang pag-iriwal kaining mga pulitiko should not be made to the detriment kan saindang mga constituents. Taking into context the real political environment here in the Philippines, usually the one nearest to the throne can sometimes sway whatever investigation is on hand and can make life difficult to those not in the power loop in getting that much needed allotment funds.

In my opinion also, it really is very hard to disassociate oneself from being a politician and a businessman at the same time. The Nuvali wakeboard park is a real threat to CWC as both caters to the same market. Sana the Governor should refrain from actively promoting Nuvali maski ngani may personal investment sinda duman ta makulog man baga ini sa buot kang mga Bicolano. Gari may feeling of betrayal pano ini sa parte kang mga taga-CamSur at gari makukumpara ini sa sarong tawong biglang nabaling so pansin niya sa sarong sexy at aki ("hoben" in naga bicol?) pa na babae at biglang piglingawan muna so magayon na agom niya :nuts:

I am excited din pala with the coming AdCongress which is certainly a BIG event mas lalo na sa media exposure and this signals the arrival of Naga into the major league of convention cities:banana::banana::banana:

garzland

July 15th, 2011, 05:03 PM

^^I don't think it would have a hugenegative impact on CWC... CWC is still CWC - nothing beats the original as doc said. Added to that, Caramoan is also a magnet which can be used as a springboard in choosing CWC instead of Nuvali as tourists can do island hopping after wakeboarding and vice versa...

Definitely, AdCongress levels up the convention status of the city. :okay:

sonofignatius

July 15th, 2011, 07:11 PM

I think critical posts are a- okay in this thread.

Going beyond the icing cake opens up the reality that it is the cake we are up to.

Let us have the icing and eat our cakes too.

Keep on posting similar posts jardet as they induce healthy discusssions and sometimes- solutions.

This thread would never be the same without the 'devilish jardetisms'.:lol:

You equalize father's son's 'heavenly posts'.:lol::lol:

:cheers:

i can see the smoke and steam and the clouds! :lol:

Angelic Joan.:)

Like.:lol:

cherubic and seraphic, too. :banana:

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/pictures/xani.gif

PRODUCING LOCALLY-TRAINED WORLD CLASS ANIMATORS. This is the rationale behind the existence and continuing operation of the CamSur Animation Studio as it opens anew the screening and registration of trainees for the 8th and 16th batch of Animators and Assistant Animators respectively, held Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, at the CamSur Animation Studio, Capitol Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur. Offered for free, the animation training is conducted under the tutelage of experts Armand Salva II, Benedict Bernardino and Raul Mimay (shown with blue cap in left photo). CamSur Animation Studio, established by Gov. LRay Villafuerte and mainly responsible for the production of the multi-awarded animation flick “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” provides ready employment for those who complete the training, affording them handsome pays based on the length of film they are able to produce. It also serves as a marketing arm for their productions. The TESDA-recognized training is being offered to talented young individuals, at least 18 years old and high school graduate. Classes will start on August 8, 2011.

Source (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/peps&events.html)

animation is at home in camsur! more opportunities for our young people.

This is now the third subdivision of Camella in Naga.

The first was Tremezzo and Lessandra (both in del Rosario) and the Camella Heights in Cararayan.

three Camellas in Maogmang Naga :cheers::cheers::cheers: commanding view of Isarog, i can imagine, from these three places.

sonofignatius

July 15th, 2011, 07:23 PM

7th Bicol Business Week, 20th South Luzon Biz Confab
Metro Naga, CamSur to fire up Bicol trade
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xfire.html

another big event right after the IronMan!

Naga Smiles to Kalibo
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xkalibo.html

hala bira, kalibo! the continued visits from other LGUs and their study of our best practices surely affirm the good performance of our city/ province.

FIRST QUARTER OF 2011
Bicol chalks up P414M in tourism receipts
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xtourism.html

job well done, Bikol! ipadagos ta :cheers:

The CamSur boom story: Did you feel that?
More: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xboom.html

the growing presence of international guests is, no doubt, more strongly and widely felt these days that they are becoming a permanent fixture in public places. in earlier years their presence was not too common.

UNEP alumna, a MetroBank 2011 outstanding cop
More: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul14/xunep.html

cheers, UNEP!

sonofignatius

July 15th, 2011, 07:36 PM

July 16: Happy Fiesta, Carmelite Monastery!
Concepcion Pequena, Naga City

http://www.ncarmel.com/photos/thumb/IMG_6083.jpghttp://www.ncarmel.com/photos/thumb/IMG_6506.jpg
http://www.ncarmel.com/photos/thumb/IMG_6193.jpghttp://www.ncarmel.com/photos/thumb/IMG_6509.jpg

http://www.ncarmel.com/

http://www.ncarmel.com/images/index_01.gif

sonofignatius

July 15th, 2011, 07:38 PM

http://www.airphilexpress.com/images/ads/comparative.gif
www.airphils.com

sonofignatius

July 15th, 2011, 07:48 PM

http://www.usi.edu.ph/slices/Installation.jpg
www.usi.edu.ph

jardet

July 15th, 2011, 07:54 PM

Naga Boy

July 16th, 2011, 02:45 AM

Gari wara man sigurong probinsya digdi sa Pilipinas na sobrang stable ang political climate :) Kaya lang sana ang pag-iriwal kaining mga pulitiko should not be made to the detriment kan saindang mga constituents. Taking into context the real political environment here in the Philippines, usually the one nearest to the throne can sometimes sway whatever investigation is on hand and can make life difficult to those not in the power loop in getting that much needed allotment funds.

In my opinion also, it really is very hard to disassociate oneself from being a politician and a businessman at the same time. The Nuvali wakeboard park is a real threat to CWC as both caters to the same market. Sana the Governor should refrain from actively promoting Nuvali maski ngani may personal investment sinda duman ta makulog man baga ini sa buot kang mga Bicolano. Gari may feeling of betrayal pano ini sa parte kang mga taga-CamSur at gari makukumpara ini sa sarong tawong biglang nabaling so pansin niya sa sarong sexy at aki ("hoben" in naga bicol?) pa na babae at biglang piglingawan muna so magayon na agom niya :nuts:

I am excited din pala with the coming AdCongress which is certainly a BIG event mas lalo na sa media exposure and this signals the arrival of Naga into the major league of convention cities:banana::banana::banana:

I agree with you jhid, that the governor should refrain from endorsing Nuvali as he is a government official and CWC is government owned. It could be misinterpreted that we was doing it for his personal interest and may hurt the sensibilites of some Bicolanos.

On the other hand- being a firing guy, I believe he knows what he is doing.

He might be cooking up some marketing ploy to market the PI as the Wakeboarding Capital in the world. Having DECA Wakepark in Davao, Lago de Oro in Batangas, Republic's Nuvali, and I understand he is also helping Deca to build one in Subic and according to one of his interviews, also assisting the Marcoses in Ilocos for the same project. I believe he is also encouraging to put one in Legazpi Boulevard.

Nobody really knows what's on his mind.

He did the impossible of putting the virtual unknown like CamSur in the tourism map- he might do the same thing with the Philippines.

Do a see a tourism post for him in the future? Pwede.

Naga Boy

July 16th, 2011, 03:01 AM

^^ ano daw kung ang iriwal kan mga politiko sa provincia magin karera sa paghatod nin mga proyekto sa mga tawo, seguro mas asensado na an provincia. ano daw kun an lambang batikos sa lambang saro sainda katampad nin sarong kilometrong konkretong tinampo nahahaman, seguro progresibo na gabos na an mga hararayong barangay sa provincia:nuts:

Robredo and Villafuerte's feud existed even before L-Rey became governor but it was not a problem then as the issues are contained in CamSur as they are local officials.

I my earlier post, I reiterated that the good DILG Secretary should be more magnanimous this time as he is a national official now.

Any misunderstanding that he has with local CamSur officials becomes a national issue.

These are two great and brilliant men. I hope they would be able to work together well. Imagine what they can do to CamSur and Bicol as well.

kaniguan78

July 16th, 2011, 03:45 AM

I'd like to share this status from Gov. Joey Salceda's FB (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=652921755)

In memory of the July 16m 1990 7.8 earthquake victims. Among the victims in Baguio was Peachy Roco, my co-worker in the staff of Cong. Raul S. Roco. Wife of Cho Roco, she was chief in the district office while I was chief in the congressional office.

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 05:15 AM

Pirmi ako igdi nagaagi sa Tamba... Magayon na ang tinamapo kundi may 1 kilometer pang dae sementado. Dati 2 hours ang byahe from Naga - Tamban ngunyan 1 hour and 10 minutes na lang :okay:

may pag-asenso dawa pano, ano. mas madali na kani madara ang mga banyera kang sira pa-naga. :)

Gari wara man sigurong probinsya digdi sa Pilipinas na sobrang stable ang political climate :) Kaya lang sana ang pag-iriwal kaining mga pulitiko should not be made to the detriment kan saindang mga constituents. Taking into context the real political environment here in the Philippines, usually the one nearest to the throne can sometimes sway whatever investigation is on hand and can make life difficult to those not in the power loop in getting that much needed allotment funds.

In my opinion also, it really is very hard to disassociate oneself from being a politician and a businessman at the same time. The Nuvali wakeboard park is a real threat to CWC as both caters to the same market. Sana the Governor should refrain from actively promoting Nuvali maski ngani may personal investment sinda duman ta makulog man baga ini sa buot kang mga Bicolano. Gari may feeling of betrayal pano ini sa parte kang mga taga-CamSur at gari makukumpara ini sa sarong tawong biglang nabaling so pansin niya sa sarong sexy at aki ("hoben" in naga bicol?) pa na babae at biglang piglingawan muna so magayon na agom niya :nuts:

I am excited din pala with the coming AdCongress which is certainly a BIG event mas lalo na sa media exposure and this signals the arrival of Naga into the major league of convention cities:banana::banana::banana:

good point, jhid.

thanks for your kind words. whatever success Naga/ CamSur has -- or any place in Bikol for that matter -- is always the success of our people and region.

the AdCongress is surely something really BIG. one only has to look at the regular ads in the national dailies!

abogado del diablo:lol:

de verdad? the last time I was there in Tamban was 2 decades ago. The ride was a virtual two hours punishment.:nuts:

we always need devil's advocates to gain better perspective of many things. :)

Robredo and Villafuerte's feud existed even before L-Rey became governor but it was not a problem then as the issues are contained in CamSur as they are local officials.

I my earlier post, I reiterated that the good DILG Secretary should be more magnanimous this time as he is a national official now.

Any misunderstanding that he has with local CamSur officials becomes a national issue.

These are two great and brilliant men. I hope they would be able to work together well. Imagine what they can do to CamSur and Bicol as well.

sharing you hope, doc. they have to sit down and listen to each other and recognize the best efforts and goals they both share.

sabi ngani kayan, parehong "pangkalawakan" ang saindang powers! :cheers::cheers::cheers:

oragon.com

July 16th, 2011, 06:14 AM

Naga, truly the center of education in the region

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/Omnibus2011.jpg

oragon.com

July 16th, 2011, 06:18 AM

guys, for our regular meet-ups, here's the tentative plan:

July 10 (Wed)
Coffee Talk "Anything & Everything"
5:00 PM
Magsaysay Area

or

July 23 (Sat)
Advance Ads Congress "A Glimpse on the Ad Con Preparation"
3:00 PM
CWC

suggestions guys....

garzland

July 16th, 2011, 08:30 AM

Naga, truly the center of education in the region

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/Omnibus2011.jpg

Congrats, STI Naga!

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 09:30 AM

I'd like to share this status from Gov. Joey Salceda's FB (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=652921755)

sen roco's wifr, sonia, was a survivor of the tragedy.

Naga, truly the center of education in the region

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/Omnibus2011.jpg

cheers, STI! :cheers::cheers::cheers:

oragon.com

July 16th, 2011, 10:49 AM

CONFIRMED

SOGO HOTEL
NAGA BRANCH

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4171.jpg

next Eurotel and Kabayan Hotel

rhyzrockerz

July 16th, 2011, 11:37 AM

CONFIRMED

SOGO HOTEL
NAGA BRANCH

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4171.jpg

next Eurotel and Kabayan Hotel

Trunay Pres?Jan po talaga?harani po yan duman sa may station kang Chin po tong?

rhyzrockerz

July 16th, 2011, 12:00 PM

Fire razes 30 houses in Naga City (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/07/16/11/fire-razes-30-houses-naga-city)

NAGA, Philippines – More than 30 houses in Barangay Igualdad, Naga City were razed by a huge fire late Friday.

Authorities said the fire, which lasted for 30 minutes, hit an area occupied by informal settlers on Sampaguita Street.

The firefighters found it difficult to put out the fire because the homes were made of light materials. Fire out was declared around 11:20 p.m.

Because of the damages to property, the barangay was placed under a state of calamity.

However, the total amount of damages has not yet been determined.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, an unattended appliance at the home of a certain Patricia Uy triggered the fire.

Uy allegedly converted the shanty into a boarding house illegally.

Residents said the house was empty during the incident.

No casualties were reported.

The affected residents were evacuated but several evacuees returned to the site Saturday morning to collect scrap metal.

The local government distributed relief goods to the victims. -- Report from Jonathan Magistrado, ABS-CBN Bicol

oh.anu po update ngunyan kaining news?:ohno::ohno:

jardet

July 16th, 2011, 01:15 PM

^^ very unfortunate at this hard time. sabi ngani kayan, bagyuhon ka na sana dai lang masuloan.

:badnews:

garzland

July 16th, 2011, 02:22 PM

CONFIRMED

SOGO HOTEL
NAGA BRANCH

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4171.jpg

next Eurotel and Kabayan Hotel
CBD 2 will be filled with hotels in the next few years...

garzland

July 16th, 2011, 03:01 PM

Maksilip nga naman dito hehehe...

Long no post here.

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 04:39 PM

CBD 2 will be filled with hotels in the next few years...

for "hotel supremacy" in Naga it's a competition among
CBD I
CBD II
Magsaysay

:)

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 05:03 PM

http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/22835/ironman_70.3_poster.jpg

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 05:17 PM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5501852576_c0b7b3030e.jpghttp://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5501259335_e0af536e72.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5501258641_4f927164e3.jpg
tosted siopao, kinalas, pinangat.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5501853514_38d70fb03f.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5501853202_53ecbc90de.jpghttp://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5501851568_370dbea6d6.jpg

Naga City Food and Travel
photos by bongbajo

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 05:21 PM

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/5906492771_de71133b9e.jpg

June 29-Touchdown Naga City

All the worries vanished as I looked out of the window and saw the green patches of quilt-like farmlands amid the hazy weather. Thank God! It was not raining.

Since we don’t have checked-in luggage, my friends and I proceeded to the exit. And there, I saw J, patiently waiting for us. According to my research, we should ride a van going to Naga City. The van ride would cost us Php 120 each. But having visited Naga City more than once, he knew better than I do. So he led us to a cheaper option.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/5906447383_07d515d8e5.jpg

We walked out of the gates of the Naga Airport in Pili, where pedicabs are lined up. The “Padyak” /Pedicab cyclists offered to take us to the National Highway for Php 10 each. Since we have bags with us, we took the ride, which lasted for 10 minutes. From the National Highway, we waited for a bus going to Naga City. The ordinary bus (non-airconditioned) ride costs us Php 10 each. Travel time from Naga Airport in Pili to Naga City Proper took around half an hour.

http://tripadora.com

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 05:23 PM

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/5907004282_1aa207b0a4.jpg

We picked Sampaguita Tourist Inn, which was strategically located along Panganiban Avenue. It was just minutes away from SM Naga City, the Central Bus Terminal and the FilCab Van and Jeepney Terminal. We took the proximity to these key areas into consideration aside from the cost of the room.

At the entrance of the Sampaguita Tourist Inn, I saw the sign: WIFI ZONE. Yippee! I approached the counter and asked if they have a vacant triple room. Fortunately, they do. The Triple Room (Airconditioned with private CR) costs Php 800/night. It was then divided to the three of us ladies. Hence, we paid only Php 267 each.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5272/5907003912_8e0ffed437.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/5907003762_2a84153bba.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5907004554_e80377f207.jpg

http://tripadora.com

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 05:34 PM

http://bikoliana.webs.com/Lokdo%20nin%20Libmanan.jpg

http://bikoliana.webs.com/apps/calendar/showAgenda?calID=3736020&showPreviousEvents=1
Libmanan Burial Jar Cover (with intricate details),
precolonial artifact displayed at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Museum

sonofignatius

July 16th, 2011, 05:40 PM

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZqQwW6No3Ps/TN63B5AqCVI/AAAAAAAAALQ/JksQzP8CDyM/S840-R/AA.jpg

http://nuevacaceres.blogspot.com

Naga Boy

July 17th, 2011, 05:45 AM

SM City Naga

http://www.ensogo.com.ph/media/catalog/product/m/a/maxride_03.jpg

http://www.ensogo.com.ph/media/catalog/product/m/a/maxride_04.jpg

http://www.ensogo.com.ph/media/catalog/product/m/a/maxride_05.jpg

About 4D Super Max Rider:

A lot has been said about our regrettably sedentary lives—we don’t move enough and we don’t do enough, despite having lots of time saved with all our “time-saving” technologies. This is not entirely our own fault—our lives and the landscape we thrive in just doesn’t support everyday thrill. But not to worry. With our advanced technology, we can now get the thrills via virtual reality, with two rides of your and your buddy’s choice, at Super Max Rider.

Super Max Rider originated in South Korea, a very popular form of virtual reality amusement for kids of all ages. It offers a range of fantastic Virtual Reality Simulation rides with various themes, from Pre-historic Adventure to Galaxy Wars, themes that are sure to captivate the imagination of riders of all ages.

http://www.ensogo.com.ph/manila/4d-super-max-rider.html

oragon.com

July 17th, 2011, 09:31 AM

CBD 2 will be filled with hotels in the next few years...

Trunay Pres?Jan po talaga?harani po yan duman sa may station kang Chin po tong?

for "hotel supremacy" in Naga it's a competition among
CBD I
CBD II
Magsaysay

:)
:okay:

just a bit worried because of its proximity to STI and St. Joseph. Nweiz, the contractor revealed that it will be a 4-storey SOGO Hotel.

Puregold update:

Minor renovation on-going at the entrance of the mall particularly at Aljosh Cafe.

oragon.com

July 17th, 2011, 09:34 AM

sivah

July 17th, 2011, 11:26 AM

question lang tabi, nyata po ta may naiiling akong mga mini tarps kang IronMan digdi sa may Daraga-legazpi part? hmmm..maagi po didgi su mga participants? curious lang tabi :)

rhyzrockerz

July 17th, 2011, 12:31 PM

question lang tabi, nyata po ta may naiiling akong mga mini tarps kang IronMan digdi sa may Daraga-legazpi part? hmmm..maagi po didgi su mga participants? curious lang tabi :)

Maray na Bangui.!
dai man po sya maagi jan. may mga participants po kia na hali sa manila na jan na sa Albay Airport mabaraba.tas si mga participants man na haling visayas na syempre maagi man saindo pag pasiring na sa cam.sur.:)

Salamat sa pag bisita sa Gintong Torsedo kang Naga - Cam.Sur:hi::hug:

Naga Boy

July 17th, 2011, 12:37 PM

Goldilocks Centro

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza020.jpg?t=1310899001

Naga Boy

July 17th, 2011, 12:42 PM

Carlo's Pizza Naga
Now Open

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza039.jpg?t=1310899112

Taken from the menu

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza035.jpg?t=1310899211

Sorry, no photos inside the resto,
too many people dining:)

Naga Boy

July 17th, 2011, 12:44 PM

Sampaguita Tourist Inn
Centro Riverside

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza015.jpg?t=1310899384

Naga Boy

July 17th, 2011, 12:46 PM

E- Mall/Robinson's Supermarket

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza022.jpg?t=1310899522

Naga City Deck

July 17th, 2011, 12:50 PM

Carlo's Pizza Naga
Now Open

Taken from the menu

Sorry, no photos inside the resto,
too many people dining:)

Thanks for this update doc :banana:

matt&abby

July 17th, 2011, 01:18 PM

Happppy Birthday Manay Ina!!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

MABALOS MANAY JO! Sorry ngayon lang ako naka post ulit wla kasi boss nasa Jordan:):banana::cheers:

matt&abby

July 17th, 2011, 01:19 PM

^^Happy Birthday, Ms. Ina!

btw guys, video call tayo sa facebook and may account na ba kayo sa Google+?

Thanks HAKZ! :):banana::cheers:

matt&abby

July 17th, 2011, 01:26 PM

Its been a year since I left Naga City..one year na pala yun... ano bago dito guys?

Naga Boy

July 17th, 2011, 01:53 PM

:okay:

just a bit worried because of its proximity to STI and St. Joseph. Nweiz, the contractor revealed that it will be a 4-storey SOGO Hotel.

Puregold update:

Minor renovation on-going at the entrance of the mall particularly at Aljosh Cafe.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/H20Hotel019.jpg?t=1310904652

Wilson's Hardware (one of the biggest home depo store is opening in Naga City (Pili/Naga Boundary).

Construction will commence anytime as they already completed filling up their property.

After Citi Hardware Naga, Wilsons will play a major role in CamSur's construction/subdivision boom.

DIY is expanding in the (Robertson's) Puregold Mall and will be moving up front before the end of the year.

Two other major players, ACE and two branches of Robinson's Handyman (in LCC and E- Mall).

Wilsons is a welcome addition to Bicolano homebuilders.

Naga Boy

July 17th, 2011, 02:08 PM

SM City Naga
This afternoon

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza043.jpg?t=1310903960

The queue at the Harry Potter
was sooooo looooong.:ohno:
3/4 SM Cinema were showing HP

Naga City Deck

July 17th, 2011, 03:07 PM

SM City Naga
This afternoon

The long queue at the Harry Potter
was sooooo looooong.:ohno:
3/4 SM Cinema was showing HP

i was expecting that all cinemas would be showing HP this weekend just like Transformers last week.. :ohno:
despite the long queue, nothing can stop us from watching HP 7.2 :lol:

makatiprime

July 17th, 2011, 04:00 PM

ah, so, sm masinag design was taken from sm naga... a big fans on the ceiling

sonofignatius

July 17th, 2011, 04:00 PM

the history of Ibalong, right padre?

not sure if it's about Ibalon. perhaps just a simple depiction of precolonial life.:)

question lang tabi, nyata po ta may naiiling akong mga mini tarps kang IronMan digdi sa may Daraga-legazpi part? hmmm..maagi po didgi su mga participants? curious lang tabi :)

in addition to rhyz's response: many participants will also fly to CWC via LGP
as the 8 flights in WNP cannot accommodate the guests. thus the IronMan signages in your area.

the small aircraft in WNP also cannot accommodate the bikes. special arrangements are also made with cebupac/ airphil/ pal to accommodate the naga passengers' bikes through the LGP flights.

PAL and AirPhil are co-sponsors of IronMan.

thanks for your visits and posts, sivah! see you again here.

Goldilocks Centro

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza020.jpg?t=1310899001

do they serve hot meals here?

sinigang na bangus belly, pancit malabon and lechon paksiw for me pls hehe

Carlo's Pizza Naga
Now Open

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza039.jpg?t=1310899112

Taken from the menu

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza035.jpg?t=1310899211

Sorry, no photos inside the resto,
too many people dining:)

Carlo's Pizza is now Naga's too :lol::banana::cheers:

Cheers, Carlo! hehe

rhyzrockerz

July 17th, 2011, 04:31 PM

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/H20Hotel019.jpg?t=1310904652

Wilson's Hardware (one of the biggest home depo store is opening in Naga City (Pili/Naga Boundary).

Construction will commence anytime as they already completed filling up their property.

After Citi Hardware Naga, Wilsons will play a major role in CamSur's construction/subdivision boom.

DIY is expanding in the (Robertson's) Puregold Mall and will be moving up front before the end of the year.

Two other major players, ACE and two branches of Robinson's Handyman (in LCC and E- Mall).

Wilsons is a welcome addition to Bicolano homebuilders.

Manay Jo,Update po kang Puregold Naga?Picture picture po:banana::banana:

sonofignatius

July 17th, 2011, 04:45 PM

Sampaguita Tourist Inn
Centro Riverside

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza015.jpg?t=1310899384

a place to be when it's Penafrancia fiesta- good view of the fluvial procession on the 3rd saturday of sept.

Sampaguita (another Naga homegrown like Bigg's, Graceland and South Star Drug) also has branches in Legaspi, GenSan, Davao, Cebu.

jardet

July 17th, 2011, 05:59 PM

Salamat sa pag bisita sa Gintong Torsedo kang Naga - Cam.Sur:hi::hug:

:okay:

Gintong torsedo (tursido/torsido).
Bulawan na tursido.
All sound perfectly correct but any body has idea which one is the more precise Bikol?:)

jardet

July 17th, 2011, 06:17 PM

Goldilocks Centro

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza020.jpg?t=1310899001

I wonder why Goldilocks until this time does not seem ready to open a full store in Naga despite its owner has roots in Naga/Cam Sur. Is it an indication of doubt on the profitability of the Naga market? Are they missing the fact that most of the big players are already in town and doing well and more are coming? m))

Naga Boy

July 18th, 2011, 01:44 AM

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/H20Hotel019.jpg?t=1310904652

Wilson's Hardware (one of the biggest home depo store is opening in Naga City (Pili/Naga Boundary).

Construction will commence anytime as they already completed filling up their property.

After Citi Hardware Naga, Wilsons will play a major role in CamSur's construction/subdivision boom.

DIY is expanding in the (Robertson's) Puregold Mall and will be moving up front before the end of the year.

Two other major players, ACE and two branches of Robinson's Handyman (in LCC and E- Mall).

Wilsons is a welcome addition to Bicolano homebuilders.

https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50314_164019212370_1405476_n.jpg

It's Wilcon Pala, not Wilson's.

Naga Boy

July 18th, 2011, 03:07 AM

Naga City; Slow Life on a Fast Lane
Sunday 7:30 AM
July 16, 2007

After picking up the morning papers,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza021.jpg?t=1310949532

...my son wanted to have a Slurpee,
so we dropped by at 7- Eleven Naga.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza017.jpg?t=1310949375

Getting a parking was a breeze,
…but the store was so full
of early morning costumers,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza018.jpg?t=1310949420

...that the Slurpee could become a juice
before we could get into the cashier….:lol:

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza019.jpg?t=1310949468

…so off we went to Starbucks,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza027.jpg?t=1310949586

…where most of its neighboring stores
are still close,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza026.jpg?t=1310949628

...and at 8 AM,
we were the first costumers to get in….

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza028.jpg?t=1310950623

… we we’re served in a jiffy ,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza029.jpg?t=1310950698

... we returned back home early,
and my son was able to enjoy
playing basketball with a neighborhood kid,
(with his yaya as a cheerer):lol:.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza045.jpg?t=1310950937

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza048.jpg?t=1310951023

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza047.jpg?t=1310950985

Naga City weekends are incomparable…
…you get what every big time city has to offer…
…with less traffic and in a laid back rustic setting.

I love Naga.:)

Naga Boy

July 18th, 2011, 03:50 AM

sonofignatius

July 18th, 2011, 04:57 AM

:okay:

Gintong torsedo (tursido/torsido).
Bulawan na tursido.
All sound perfectly correct but any body has idea which one is the more precise Bikol?:)

BULAWAN NA TURSIDO is Bikol. "Ginto" is Tagalog -- or perhaps used in Tagalog-speaking areas of cam norte?

there is a tendency these days to mix up bikol and tagalog -- using expressions like "din" even in ordinary conversation. imo, this should be avoided as much as possible as it can be confusing.

in my college years at the ateneo de naga, one of our major courses was on vernacular/ bikol literature- and we were taught correct usage.

the more accepted spelling/ rendition, for example, is "ang" instead of "an", "ning" instead of "nin", "kung" intead of "kun". the latter renditions are obviously spanish influences as spaniards can't pronounce the "ng" sound, while philippine languages generally (and perhaps even strongly!) feature the "ng" sound.

notice our ordinary day-to-day conversation: most, if not all, we really say "ang" or "kung" or "ning", highlighting the "ng" sound.

interestingly, there is an award at the Ateneo de Naga called "Bulawang Bikolnon" award. this is grammatically wrong! (i've pointed this out to the concerned office but no change has been made so far). it's unfortunate that this confusion has reachd "official" status :ohno::ohno::ohno:

should be "Bulawan NA Bikolnon". this is clearly a confusion of Bikol and Tagalog! we only use the connective "ng" if the word ends with a vowel, eg:

mayoNg tao duman
sadiriNG tao
linsaNG masapog
makuriNG gayo ang kasalan ko

for words ending with a consonant -- that includes the letter "N", the connective used is NA, eg:

mahamisoN NA santol
Bikolnon na tunay
mabinion na babae
lakadbulan na nakakaomay

(in contrast, the Tagalog way is simply adding the connective "g" to the word that ends with "N", or "NG" to the word that ends with a vowel, or "NA" to the word that ends with a consonant, except for the consonat "N" :

Tagalog:
marahanG magsalita
BulkanG Bulusan
MayonG kahali-halina

misteryosoNG babae
pulaNG t-shirt
biniliNG bigas

kalat NA dahon
buhay NA aso
maasim NA kilikili :)

of course, we are free to choose the language of our choice but it's better not to confuse the forms/ grammar of one language with another.

dios marhay na aga sa gabos!

I wonder why Goldilocks until this time does not seem ready to open a full store in Naga despite its owner has roots in Naga/Cam Sur. Is it an indication of doubt on the profitability of the Naga market? Are they missing the fact that most of the big players are already in town and doing well and more are coming? m))

good point, jardet.

ano daw kaya, takot sa Graceland hehehe :)... Geewan is renovating its original store just a few steps from Goldilocks.

sonofignatius

July 18th, 2011, 05:04 AM

ah, so, sm masinag design was taken from sm naga... a big fans on the ceiling

may kakambal pala sa masinag. sm masinag shoudn't be too far from where we live in loyola hgts. perhaps less than an hour's drive if there is not traffic along marcos.

Naga City; Slow Life on a Fast Lane
Sunday 7:30 AM
July 16, 2007

After picking up the morning papers,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza021.jpg?t=1310949532

...my son wanted to have a Slurpee,
so we dropped by at 7- Eleven Naga.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza017.jpg?t=1310949375

Getting a parking was a breeze,
…but the store was so full
of early morning costumers,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza018.jpg?t=1310949420

...that the Slurpee could become a juice
before we could get into the cashier….:lol:

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza019.jpg?t=1310949468

…so off we went to Starbucks,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza027.jpg?t=1310949586

…where most of its neighboring stores
are still close,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza026.jpg?t=1310949628

...and at 8 AM,
we were the first costumers to get in….

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza028.jpg?t=1310950623

… we we’re served in a jiffy ,

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza029.jpg?t=1310950698

... we returned back home early,
and my son was able to enjoy
playing basketball with a neighborhood kid,
(with his yaya as a cheerer):lol:.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza045.jpg?t=1310950937

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza048.jpg?t=1310951023

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza047.jpg?t=1310950985

Naga City weekends are incomparable…
…you get what every big time city has to offer…
…with less traffic and in a laid back rustic setting.

I love Naga.:)

the convenience of city living that is naga. no long drives. no eternal (heavy) traffic. no biggg budgets for every move.

quality time, too, for family, friends and oneself.

doc, for your young boy: today the neighborhood court, tomorrow UAAP and beyond! :banana::banana::banana:

let him join the Blue Eagle Team, 2-0 so far. :cheers::cheers::cheers:

sonofignatius

July 18th, 2011, 05:12 AM

GSIS kiosk now up at CAMSUR capitol
Article | July 16, 2011 - 12:56pm | By Vox Bikol

PILI,Camarines Sur (July 15, 2011) - A GWAP kiosk of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) was formally opened at the Camarines Sur provincial capitol yesterday.

While the said extension aims to facilitate GSIS transactions of the provincial employees, other government employees can avail of its services as well.

Sally Mate, vice president for Operations of GSIS central office who lead the launching ceremonies, said the agency aims to open similar facilities in all other provinces and cities in the country.

A GSIS kiosk had already been in Naga City, housed at the Roco Library within the City Hall compound.

Mate said that information like service records and others are easily retrievable from the automated kiosks making possible processing of policy, salary and emergency loans and, in the future, even retirement claims.

Camarines Sur provincial administrator Fermin Mabulo expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the installation of GWAP machine at the provincial capitol.

Vice-Governor Fortunato Peña, GSIS regional manager Lolita Pureza and representatives of other local and national agencies also attended the launching.

Later today, Mate shall meet with GSIS officials and members at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in Naga City to orient them of other GSIS programs and projects.

GSIS members and liason officers of Bicol-based government agencies are expected to attend. (MAL/DCA, PIA Camarines Sur)

www.voxbikol.com

sonofignatius

July 18th, 2011, 05:13 AM

LGU Camaligan bares one year-accomplishment, implements PNoy’s priority agenda
Article | July 16, 2011 - 12:29pm

CAMALIGAN, Camarines Sur, July 15 (PIA) -- Attributing his successful feats to a virtuous and upright leadership, Camaligan Mayor Emmanuel “Emman” Trinidad Prado believes that a morally outright principle should be the prevailing guiding rule for every leader.

In his “Pahayag sa Banwaan 2011”, Prado enumerated his various accomplishments in the fields of education, health, livelihood, social services, food security and poverty alleviation programs, agriculture, environment and provision of facilities to his constituents.

ON EDUCATION

Following President Benigno Aquino III’s campaign to promote quality education, Prado has initiated the granting of various scholarships to college and vocational/ technical college students, particularly in Sto.Tomas High School and distributed school supplies and books to indigent students. He has also increased the number of municipal scholars and strategically partnered with the Naga College Foundation (NCF) Educational Assistance Program to provide more opportunities to his constituents.

ON HEALTH

Under his health agenda, Prado has also directed his attention to the well-being of his people, particularly focusing on the women and children sector. He has implemented a regular feeding program for every barangay and public schools which benefited more or less 400 malnourished children. He has also rallied for the support of the Ligtas Sa Tigdas Campaign being spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH).

Prado also strongly supported the launching of PhilHealth Sabado in his municipality, resulting to the distribution of 1,892 Philhealth cards to various individuals. This is also in support of the Aquino government’s agenda of providing social protection and safety net for the vulnerable and the poor.

He will continue to push more programs for health through the continuous implementation of the solid and liquid feeding to 56 children categorized under very low and below normal malnourished type. In the upcoming months, Prado will also lead the distribution of 400 sets of Ovicidal/Larvicidal (O/L) traps for Dengue mosquitoes and 100 rolls of Olyset nets to impede the rising case of dengue in the province.

ON TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
In recognition of its exemplary performance in internal housekeeping evident in various areas of implementing its mandate, the local government of Camaligan was among the lucky recipients of the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award granted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).Prado attributed this accomplishment to righteous governance, coupled with Good Planning, Sound Fiscal Management, Transparency and Accountability, and Valuing Performance Management. This, he said is also in compliance with President Aquino’s mandate of encouraging a complacent, credible and reliable public servants who could be role models for good and transparent governance.

The award is a pilot implementation of the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) for local government units that seek to provide incentive to local government units to align project implementation with the national government’s strategic thrusts and goals. It is being granted to all 4th, 5th and 6th Class municipalities that passed the test of good housekeeping.

This has inspired Prado to implement more projects, putting the people’s money where they ought to go. Some of his accomplishments include the finished road at Tampa-Sua, Barangay Tarosanan Riprap project, construction of 20 units of Core Shelter Housing Project, and the erection of 6 units of Shallow well pumps to provide potable and safe water to far flung areas, among others.

Prado vowed to serve his people during his remaining reign while strongly adhering to the Aquino’s crusade of Matuwid na Daan.” (PIA)

www.voxbikol.com

randism

July 18th, 2011, 06:56 AM

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1259/p7180354.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/98/p7180354.png/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1613/p7180356.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/p7180356.png/)

tower off air,decommissioned and for dismantling, just to give way for the new and big project of Mr Obiedo..:nuts:

randism

July 18th, 2011, 07:03 AM

Midnight split of Camarines Sur surprises lawmakers, local officials (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2011/july/15/news2.isx&d=2011/july/15)

by Christine F. Herrera

CAMARINES Sur’s lawmakers and officials on Thursday were surprised to learn that the province had been split into two: Camarines Sur and a new province called Nueva Camarines.

Congress approved the split on the eve of its sine die adjournment without any public hearings, consultations or plenary debates, the officials said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Salvio Fortuno said some of his municipalities would be taken away from him without his having been consulted by Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella, principal author of House Bill 4728 that was passed on third and final reading without amendments and plenary debates.

As a result, the leaders of the Camarines Sur chapters of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Philippine Councilors League, and Liga ng mga Barangay on Thursday called on the Senate to dump House Bill 4728.

They said the “divide CamSur scheme” would cause a major setback in the province’s rise as Bicol’s economic powerhouse and the country’s top eco-tourism and extreme sports draw. They passed separate resolutions opposing Fuentebella’s bill.

Fuentebella, a congressman in his last term, represents the fourth district. The officials said it appeared he wanted Nueva Camarines to include his Fourth district and some municipalities of Fortuno’s Fifth district. He planned to run for governor in the new province that he wanted created, they said.

“The only reason we can think of is not a good one, and it involves the self-serving agenda of some politicians who want their own domain where they can rule with impunity,” said local Philippine Councilors League president James Jaucian of the municipality of Libmanan.

The proposed Nueva Camarines would cover the city of Iriga, the municipalities of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Bula, Nabua, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Sagnay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon and Tinambac. Only the towns of Baao, Balatan, Bato and Bula are not covered by the Partido area created by Republic Act 7820.

This 17-year old law, which set up the Partido Development Authority as a corporate entity supposedly overseeing the economic development of the Partido areas under its jurisdiction, has provided Partido with its own funding source and authority to enter into transactions independent of the provincial government.

randism

July 18th, 2011, 07:12 AM

NAGA CITY INFRA BOOM

Constructions @ CBD2 ONLY :)

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4121_picnik.jpg
Center Islands/Street Lights/Waiting Sheds/Mini-Garden

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4120_picnik.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4114_picnik.jpg
Building at the back of STI Naga

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4112_picnik.jpg
Drainage Construction and Improvement

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4109_picnik.jpg
Another building inside St. Joseph School Compound

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4108_picnik.jpg
Commercial Building at the side of St. Joseph School

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4104_picnik.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4102.jpg
Newest Hospital - 3-Storey NICC

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4099_picnik.jpg
BIGGER Bangko Sentral ng Naga
finishing touches on the convention center

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4098.jpg
Naga DEPED new building
inaugurated last July 10

Constructions soon to commence @ CBD2:
1. Puregold
2. Eurotel @ Terminal
3. Kapatid Network - SOS Sir Rands:)
4. STI another building for Accounting Tech & Dev Com

if my source is correct TV5 is already conducting soil test at undisclosed location :nuts::nuts:

randism

July 18th, 2011, 07:14 AM

CamSur folk reject Fuentebella bill (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/opinion/13788-camsur-folk-reject-fuentebella-bill)
Friday, 15 July 2011 00:25 Butch del Castillo / Omerta

There’s no question about it. The once-sleepy province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol region is absolutely in a state of economic resurgence.

Notice how it even sports a new handle? It’s now the catchier (and jazzed-up) CamSur, which became an instant byword not only in the region but among admen throughout the country. CamSur folk have come to like the new tag. And it may only be a matter of time before they chuck up the old-fashioned Camarines Sur altogether.

For almost five decades until about eight years ago, this province had been wallowing in backwardness and poverty. These problems are what made it both a hotbed and haven for communist insurgency.

Camarines Sur in the past was consistently on the poverty and malnutrition watch lists of the government. It was only over the past eight or nine years that it finally stirred from its economic torpor and began exploiting its natural resources and bringing out the best in its people.

How it has evolved from a laggard Camarines Sur to a proactive CamSur is a study in phenomenal growth. This is largely attributed by CamSur folk to the innovative leadership provided by its youthful three-term governor, Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr.—who, in turn, modestly tosses back the credit to his constituency.

Under Villafuerte, CamSur has eclipsed the world-renowned Boracay Island as the country’s top tourist draw. The province had thrice the number of visitors (1.88 million) that Boracay registered (607,537) in 2010.

Data from the Department of Tourism’s research and statistics division show that CamSur has also overtaken Metro Manila and Cebu as the country’s No. 1 tourist destination.

No wonder the Advertising Board of the Philippines has decided to hold its 22nd Ad Congress in CamSur in November this year. The biennial event will convene the executives of the country’s top business, advertising and media organizations. The organizers of this event have traditionally chosen a venue they can proudly declare as a showcase for what the Philippines has to offer in terms of world-class tourism.

CamSur has become the venue of choice for extreme sports enthusiasts throughout the world. Over a million tourists visit the province, including internationally acclaimed triathletes who are drawn to its world-class CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) and the now-famous Caramoan Island, which has been the site of five international editions of the immensely popular reality-TV show Survivor.

As a matter of fact, CWC will host next month the third edition of the Cobra Ironman World Championship—a triathlon that will be participated in by over a thousand amateur and professional triathletes from 28 countries.

The complex will also be the site of the junior version Alaska Ironkids Triathlon. Alaska CEO-triathlete Wilfred Uytengsu has revealed that this sports event would be the qualifier for the two World Ironman championships to be held later this year in Kona, Hawaii, and Las Vegas.

In other words, during Villafuerte’s watch, CamSur’s economic growth has been not less than phenomenal. He says the people of CamSur have “tirelessly worked” as never before to transform their province from the laggard that it was to a topnotch tourism hub and a fledgling economic powerhouse.

While it would seem that things are now at last coming up roses for CamSur (boosted by the good news that the Bicol Express train service would resume before the fourth quarter), there is, however, a seething political turmoil building up underneath. This turmoil could boil over and abruptly reverse CamSur’s upward economic trajectory.

It is the kind of political mindset that would sacrifice even the greater good for the sake of propagating political power. Local officials, business leaders and plain folk in CamSur, I am told, are now both worried and angry that a totally unexpected congressional initiative would cut short the province’s economic momentum.

Without any warning or even a modicum of public consultation, Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella (who was House speaker during Erap Estrada’s presidency) authored and pushed for the passage of House Bill 4728. This measure seeks to carve out a new province to be called “Nueva Camarines” from the 4th and 5th districts of CamSur.

CamSur folk know exactly why Fuentebella has been assiduously plugging for the creation of a new province from the belly of CamSur. The honorable gentleman from Camarines Sur is now on his third and final term as congressman, and it is no secret that he intends to retain political power by running for governor. Since he doesn’t stand a chance of winning against any member of the Villafuerte family in an unfragmented CamSur, he has obviously opted to create a new turf where his chances of winning would be much better.

The appropriate term for this type of legislation is gerrymandering.

Somehow, the Fuentebella measure managed to squeeze through the legislative mill in the House and got approved just before the sine die adjournment of Congress a couple of weeks ago.

How the people of CamSur would deal with this sudden, unexpected “local legislation” mainly to fulfill one politician’s dream to become governor would be very interesting to watch. Apparently, Fuentebella doesn’t give a damn if the chopping up of the province into two would set back CamSur’s recovery efforts.

A well-circulated study done by the Local Government Development Foundation, in collaboration with a German foundation, has strongly recommended the consolidation, not fragmentation, of existing LGUs in the Philippines.

The joint study, funded by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, showed that bills passed by Congress breaking up provinces “only leads to the creation of much weaker provincial governments or local government administrations.” It pointed out that “45 to 55 percent of its annual budget are likely to be allocated for personnel services normally characterized by a local government bureaucracy.”

The study also noted that LGUs claiming to be autonomous still depend on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the national government for their survival. In other words, it said, it doesn’t make sense to create more financially anemic local authorities, “given the very high IRA dependency among cities, municipalities and provinces.”

The same study also revealed some very startling comparisons between countries. Compared to other Southeast Asian economies, it said, the Philippines has the smallest land area. Yet, it has the most number of provinces in this part of the globe.

China has over 9.32 million square kilometers of land but has only 23 provinces. Indonesia, with 1.8 million square kilometers, has only 30 provinces. In contrast, the Philippines—with a land area of 298,170 square kilometers.

Yet it had 79 provinces as of 2005 when the study was completed. Today, there are already 81 provinces.

The study’s conclusion: Fragmenting LGUs on the basis of population and land area is illogical. Fragmentation, it added, only hinders stabilization of local governance; distorts the IRA formula and negates the concept of fiscal decentralization; aggravates further the already substandard quality of services to the people; and burdens the economy because of the high cost of creating new LGUs and the financial requirements to maintain an effective one.

But the best argument against the creation of Nueva Camarines is that the people of CamSur are overwhelmingly against the move. Most towns in the province have come out with resolutions denouncing the Fuentebella bill.

These towns and cities include even those which would form the proposed Nueva Camarines, which are the following: Baso, Balatan, Bato, Bula, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Iriga City, Lagonoy, Nabua, Presentacion, Sagnay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon and Tinambac.

The province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan, its Mayors’ League, Councilors’ League, and Association of Barangay Captains—to a man—have opposed the chopping up of CamSur. At the same time, the League of Provinces has passed a resolution asking for a moratorium on the creation of new provinces.

The widespread negative reaction to the Fuentebella measure, I’m sure, does not bode well for the perpetuation of Fuentebella’s political career in CamSur.

randism

July 18th, 2011, 07:23 AM

Magsaysay Avenue
Corner Dayangdang
Early Sunday Morning

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza024.jpg?t=1310953749

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza025.jpg?t=1310953681

Doc, pag nadagdagan pa po nin McDo sa lugar na ni.. Cor Dayangdang St. is no longer appropriate,,it should be Yellow St..:cheers::lol:

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 07:25 AM

https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50314_164019212370_1405476_n.jpg

It's Wilcon Pala, not Wilson's.

Wilcon :cheers: beside NAPOCOR doc, right?

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1259/p7180354.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/98/p7180354.png/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1613/p7180356.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/p7180356.png/)

tower off air,decommissioned and for dismantling, just to give way for the new and big project of Mr Obiedo..:nuts:

Condo or Robertson Mall?

randism

July 18th, 2011, 07:25 AM

More housing units planned for AFP, PNP members
(http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=More-housing-units-planned-for-AFP,-PNP-members&id=34820)
PRESIDENT Benigno S.C. Aquino III has promised housing units for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Visayas and Mindanao next year, even as he awarded the first batch of 4,0000 housing units -- out of the 21,800 promised in southern Luzon this year -- on Friday.
The 4,000 Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CLEA) and 90 symbolic door keys given to the initial beneficiaries were awarded by the President today in Barangay Batia, Bocaue in Bulacan and Barangay Looc, Calamba City in Laguna.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 07:48 AM

Fuentebella defends creation of Nueva Camarines
By Celso Amo (The Philippine Star) Updated July 18, 2011

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Camarines Sur Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella said the partitioning of Camarines Sur should be viewed as an option for growth for the next generation of Camarines folk.

“The partition will pave the way for progress of both the old and the new provinces and more benefits to their constituents,” Fuentebella said.

The fourth district congressman also debunked the claim of Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte Jr. and his political supporters that “the partition is just a self-serving political caprice.”

“The decrease in the number of towns that will share the allotted internal revenue allocation is significant in governance because the local governments can sustain themselves economically,” Fuentebella said.

Fuentebella is the principal author of House Bill 4728 which seeks to create the new province of Nueva Camarines.

Congress approved the bill on the eve of its adjournment on third and final reading.

Villafuerte opposed the bill because he said it would hamper the momentum of high growth that the province is now enjoying which he started through tourism and extreme sports competitions.

“This will surely derail the province’s rise as Bicol’s economic powerhouse and the country’s top eco-tourism and extreme sports attraction,” he said.

HB 4728, co-authored by second district Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, seeks to include the towns of Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Presentacion, San Jose, Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, Tigaon and Sañgay in the fourth district and the towns of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Bula, Buhi and Nabua, including Iriga City, in the fifth district under the new province of Nueva Camarines.

Provincial board member Charie Pante supported the bill, saying the division of Camarines Sur would make it easier for local leaders to address problems within their areas of jurisdiction.

“Smaller territories would be easier to monitor and manage for faster growth,” Pante said.

The new provincial government would also present more opportunities for dynamic leaders and aspiring public servants, Pante added.

http://www.philstar.com

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 07:59 AM

With partition, Camarines Sur may lose competitive edge
By: Daxim L. Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Sunday, July 17th, 2011

Business leaders in Camarines Sur have warned legislators that the province could lose its competitive edge as the Philippines’ ecotourism capital—centered on the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) and Caramoan Islands—should Congress pass a bill chopping it up into two separate provinces.

Business leaders belonging to the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce said the plan to create a new province out of Camarines Sur would not only entail unnecessary start-up expenses estimated at P800 million for the government, but would also adversely affect the tourism development plan for CamSur, which promotes CWC and Caramoan as a package to attract international visitors.

House Bill 4728, which proposes the creation of a new separate province called Nueva Camarines, threatens to derail the existing tourism plan for Camarines Sur, which last year became the country’s top tourism hub in terms of visitor arrivals, according to the chamber’s chairman, Butch Figuracion, and its vice president, Roger Peyra.

Earlier, local elective officials led by the provincial chapter of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; the provincial chapter of the Philippine Councilors’ League, and the Liga ng mga Barangay assailed the proposal of Representative Arnulfo Fuentebella who is pushing the bill in the House of Representatives.

They also called on the Senate to thumb down the move to divide the province.

“The plan to create a Nueva Camarines is not only highly divisive as a political issue, but also economically unproductive and financially non-feasible,” said Figuracion.

The executives questioned the motives of Fuentebella—a lawmaker on his third and last term under Constitutional limits—in pushing for the bill’s passage, despite strident public opposition in the province.

Figuracion said that rather than waste P800 million of taxpayers’ money just to carve out a new province out of Camarines Sur, the proponents of the bill should instead work with the provincial leadership to fully transform CamSur into a tourism haven and economic powerhouse in the Bicol region.

The CWC is located in the provincial capitol in Pili, while Caramoan Island is part of the Caramoan Peninsula situated at the eastern portion of CamSur.

“You cannot separate these two sites as they are packaged together to bring in tourists to CamSur,” Peyra said. “What will happen now if Caramoan Island [is separated] from CamSur? It will upset the provincial government’s blueprint for CamSur’s tourism industry and the business sector’s plans to expand or open up new ventures in the province.”

In a study done by the Local Government Development Foundation, in partnership with the German-based Konrad Adenauer Stiflung foundation, it reportedly would take a total of P789.65 million, based on 2005 prices, to create a new province.

http://business.inquirer.net

randism

July 18th, 2011, 08:06 AM

Wilcon :cheers: beside NAPOCOR doc, right?

Condo or Robertson Mall?

dae lang ako sure Pao as to what project..minamadali talaga ang clearing sa property

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 08:11 AM

E-Mall Expansion

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4181.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4176.jpg

new escalator leading up to 4th floor

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 08:14 AM

dae lang ako sure Pao as to what project..minamadali talaga ang clearing sa property

thanks sir!

workers I've talked with confirmed that it's a commercial building.

randism

July 18th, 2011, 08:23 AM

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 08:54 AM

2 BIG events to unfold in Cam Sur at national dailies today

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4191.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4195.jpg

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 08:56 AM

Newest car company in Naga City
Hino Cars soon-to-open

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4196.jpg

randism

July 18th, 2011, 09:02 AM

PHL tourism flourishes under the Aquino administration
By Lily O Ramos (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=9&rid=358531)

MANILA (PNA) —- Tourism as sunshine industry is growing despite problems and the tragic Aug. 23, 2010 hostage incident where some Hong Kong tourists perished in the hands of a gunman.

The fact that foreign tourist arrivals topped 1.3-million mark in the first four months of 2011, surpassing last year’s total of 3.52 million, makes the Department of Tourism (DOT) confident that the number of visitors from overseas this year will further continue to increase .

From January to April 2011, the country registered a 13.33 percent increase in foreign visitors, compared with the same period of 2010, according to DOT Secretary Alberto Aldaba Lim, who said that the 3.74 million target for the year is well within reach due to his office’s continuing efforts on the international front campaign, especially on trade fairs.

Increases recorded by almost all regional markets, including best-performing East Asia, accounting for Philippine tourism's double-digit growth.

South Korea expectedly led the charge by contributing 286,018 tourists to the region's total of 581,551 -- representing 28.35 percent and 18.90 percent increases from the same period last year, respectively.

Top individual markets remained static with Korea, the United States of America (229,200) and Japan (129,223) repeating as the three most robust.

Combined, the three countries accounted for almost half of all foreign visitors in the first four months of 2011.

Taiwan was the region's biggest gainer by registering a 42.68 percent upshot from the same period in 2010 for 55,662 visitors, while China's 71,113 tourists were good for an 18.54 percent gain.

North America, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australasia/Pacific provided 274,613, 103,715 and 73,483 arrivals within the period -- with all improvements from 2010's (+10.31 percent, +10.04 percent and +16.25 percent).

Northern and Western Europe posted similar figures of 60,098 and 58,202 arrivals, respectively -- thus buoying up from 2010's (+10.02 percent and +4.7 percent).

In other regional markets, South Asia and Eastern Europe, which include emerging single markets India and Russia, surged 43.72 percent and 28.44 percent, respectively, to earn most-improved honors.

This could be attributed to the country’s having a lower cost of living within a comfortable sphere like lower prices of food and rentals for temporary residential places, i.e, hotels, restaurants and services.

Aside from that, Filipinos understand and speak English well and are innately hospitable and good to foreign tourists who take delight in our more than 7,000 islands beautifully spread all over seas.

Many tourists are also discovering that the Philippines is offering medical tourism treatment that is much cheaper than in Singapore, Hong Kong or Korea. This includes medical surgery for wellness-being, beauty and aesthetics like plastic surgery which is a much-sought after procedure for the new-moneyed youth generation and older ones who want to look their physical best much longer.

The Philippines is also gearing up itself as a shopping spree center for quality but less expensive goods being sold in Asian shopping places like Hong Kong or Singapore. This has been made possible with SM, Robinsons, Gaisano, Rustan’s and other builders well-financed and owned by local and foreign business entities.

What’s more, DOT is moving and in bullish mood to attract Filipinos abroad to come and visit their homeland, particularly those who have been born and raised overseas since birth. DOT is actively promoting ‘Pinoy Homecoming Years’ with private and public sectors chipping in from all sides.

The“Pinoy Homecoming Years” campaign

President Benigno S. Aquino III's signing Proclamation No. 181 declaring the years 2011 to 2016 as “Pinoy Homecoming” years is fully supported for implementation by the DOT, according to Secretary Lim.

Through Proclamation No. 181 and Republic Act No. 6768 as amended by R.A. 9174 or the Balikbayan Program, overseas Filipinos are given special privileges and benefits in recognition of their contributions to the growth of the economy in terms of foreign exchange inflow and remittances.

With the overseas Filipino workers' community continuing to expand worldwide, the government extends its support to the country's "modern day heroes."

The Proclamation also aims to boost local tourism by attracting and encouraging the overseas community to visit the Philippines, reunite with their families and enjoy their homeland anytime of the year.

"We foresee a substantial increase to Philippine tourism in the next five years and so on with the country's progress evidently seen.

"More developments in hotels and resorts are happening in tourist spots all over the country, roads are being improved and being built where there used to be none and aviation has favored more travelers with affordable fares and more flights to choose from.

"We would like to support President Aquino in his vision to prioritize our Filipino "kababayans' abroad upon their return and enjoy their homeland for visits,” said Lim.

The Pinoy Homecoming campaign targets an increase of 25 percent in visitor arrivals from North America-Canada and the United States which are the most common points of origin for 2011 over last year's figures. In 2009 alone, they made up 22 percent of total arrivals.

The North American markets rank a high second in terms of arrivals and about 60 percent of them are either Fil-Americans or Fil-Canadians.

"Focusing on these two countries will make the most impact in terms of revenues and we intend to develop this particular market segment group," said Lim.

Moreover, the DOT has partnered with Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) and communications giant Globe Telecom to support the said proclamation and support the DOT's 'balikbayan' program.

The DOT, DFPC and Globe Telecom are set to launch campaigns that will become the driving force to encourage overseas Filipinos, especially overseas Filipino organizations and business groups, to travel to the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions or vacations.

The campaign aims to drive up tourism and appreciation for the Philippines as well as to encourage expansion and investments and create opportunities for more Filipinos, both locally and abroad.

Chief operating officer of DFPC Lorenzo C. Formoso said: "Through the 'Pinoy Homecoming' program, the DFPC continues to demonstrate its commitment to boost development for the country's tourism and to give 'balikbayans' an efficient shopping experience with all the warmth and hospitality of home."

DOT looks to the future

So what are the DOT’s moves as it anticipates double tourist arrival to 6.3 million international arrivals and 32 million domestic travelers by 2016?

Secretary Lim said he is enjoining the tourism industry sector, regional and local government executives and stakeholders all over the country to take a look at the National Tourism Development Plan where some P800 million has been earmarked for the development of domestic tourism.

Domestic tourists last year counted 18 million because of competitive lower-priced airline tickets offered by Cebu Pacific and the Philippine Airlines where locals can afford to save money and spend their money seeing the country’s nice and virgin places from north to south.

Top domestic tourist destinations for 22.8 million Filipinos since 2009 are Metro Manila, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan Valley, Baguio, Boracay, Zambales, Puerto Princesa, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Camiguin Island and Ilocos Norte.

On the other hand, the Philippines' Top Five foreign markets, according to rank for the first four months of 2011, are South Korea (286,018), USA (229,200), Japan (129,223), China(71,113) and Australia (56,681).

The open-skies policy where foreign airlines may bring in and bring out their passengers might be of help in boosting Philippine tourism, although local airlines are asking for reciprocity for equal opportunity for both sides.

Activities such as promotion of sports tourism in places like Boracay, Siargao, Camarines Sur and other smaller places where surfing, swimming, hiking, spelunking, mountain climbing/trekking, birdwatching, whale watching, etc. should be jointly developed by the private and public sector.

The local government should know which projects have the potential of development and saleability while the private sector should come in as investor — thus giving jobs to local residents and even beyond their borders.

With the overseas Filipino workers' community continuing to expand worldwide, the government extends its support to the country's "modern day heroes."

The DOT chief also assured full support at the national level as the National Tourism Development Plan is now ready for execution by the provincial and local level especially in the areas for capacity-building, training, education and promotions.

He urged regional and local executives to make their tourist destinations hospitable, thereby making them tourist-and environment-friendly.

He also said that tourism sites can be made competitive with the necessary infrastructures for water systems, sanitation and sewage and with mechanisms in place for the safety and security of any tourist.

Secretary Lim said that in order to achieve this DOT is focusing on three key strategies to make the Philippines become a "must experience" destination in Asia.

Lim was emphatic in saying that to improve market access and connectivity, the DOT must push for the rapid expansion of secondary international airports and address traffic bottlenecks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

This means strengthening compliance with international air safety regulations, adopting policies that facilitate the expansion of air services and visa-free access in key growth markets.

It is also imperative that the DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) must implement a strategic access infrastructure development program between the secondary international airports and strategic destinations for pleasant and easy transport.

The DOT will also work with government agencies and local government units to develop and market competitive tourist destinations and products (one town, one product or OTOP).

This also prioritizes the use of existing infrastructure by facilitating the development of mixed-use tourism complexes and community-based programs in strategic locations.

Making it easier for tourists

To further make things easier for tourist entrepreneuring arrivals/visitors, a mandatory tourism enterprise accreditation and certification system that would be attractive to investment with simplified business set-up and licensing procedure in our gateways/airports should be adopted.

Lim added efforts must be enhanced to safeguard and preserve natural and cultural sites and vulnerable groups (native people, animals or treasures) for posterity.

The international gateways for Northern Philippines are the International airports of Laoag in the Ilocos, Clark and Subic in Pampanga and Manila.

For Central Philippines, there's Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Cebu-Mactan and Panglao. And for Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Zamboanga international airports.

Lim noted that other airports such as Kalibo in Aklan will keep on availing of direct charter foreign air services to service tourist-rich destinations like Boracay Island.

Top domestic tourist destinations for 22.8 million Filipinos since 2009 are Metro Manila, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan Valley, Baguio, Boracay, Zambales, Puerto Princesa, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Camiguin Island and Ilocos Norte.

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 09:16 AM

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4166.jpg

Tata Flores Cup
The only organized basketball league in the region held simultaneously and patterned after the UAAP & NCAA league format

oragon.com

July 18th, 2011, 10:25 AM

https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50314_164019212370_1405476_n.jpg

It's Wilcon Pala, not Wilson's.

Branches

LUZON

WILCON DEPOT
AA
Alabang Las Piñas
AA
Balintawak, Q.C.
AA
Libis, Q.C.
AA
Pasong Tamo, Makati City
AA
Quirino, Q.C.
AA
Filinvest, Alabang
AA
Mexico, Pampanga
AA
Sucat, Parañaque
AA
Commonwealth, Q.C.
AA
Tarlac
AA
Dau, Mabalacat Pampanga
AA
San Fernando, Pampanga
AA
Calamba, Laguna
AA
Batangas City
AA
Taytay, Rizal
AA
Antipolo City, Rizal
AA
Baliuag, Bulacan
AA
Dasmariñas City, Cavite
AA

WILCON SUPPLY
AA
Quezon Ave., Q.C.
AA
Muñoz., Q.C.
AA
Pasay
AA
Mindanao Ave., Q.C.
AA
Acropolis Vill Libis, Q.C.
AA

WILCON HOME ESSENTIALS
AA
Marquee Mall
AA
Alimall
AA
AA

MINDANAO

WILCON SUPPLY
AA
Davao City

Newly Opened Stores
AA
Dasmariñas City, Cavit

rhyzrockerz

July 18th, 2011, 11:20 AM

Jhoevz

July 18th, 2011, 11:20 AM

:lol: love the updates..

Dakul na naman palan bagong establishments sa NAGA..can't wait to be back home..

:banana:

jardet

July 18th, 2011, 03:20 PM

Approbado na po ang new province?
huna ko po ma plebisito pa?:ohno::ohno:

Only in the House on third and final reading. It will have to go next to Senate for the same process. If it is ok'd by the upper house after three readings, it will next go to the president for signature. If he approves it, it will then be submitted to the people of Cam Sur through a plebiscite within 6? months after it is signed by the president. Partition occurs if the people approve it. In short, still a long process. :)

Naga City Deck

July 18th, 2011, 05:23 PM

Newest car company in Naga City
Hino Cars soon-to-open

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4196.jpg

Kuya Pao, it that Concepcion Pequena printed below the SOON TO OPEN phrase? what newspaper po ni?

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 01:40 AM

Kuya Pao, it that Concepcion Pequena printed below the SOON TO OPEN phrase? what newspaper po ni?

It would be occupying the old Nissan (Universal Motors Office)

Nissan transferred to the space that KIA Naga left.

That Lisam compound has three car dealerships: Suzuki Motors Naga, Nissan (Universal Motors) and Hino Naga.

KIA Naga closed down temporarily and apparently would be moving to a bigger space.

I was in Ford Motors yesterday afternoon and the Ford Naga manager confirmed that Chevrolet and Honda are opening in Naga next year. He said that people from Chevrolet dropped by his office a week ago for a courtesy call.

I'll post photos of Ford Naga tonight.

So far Naga has the following car dealerships:

1. Nissan (Universal Motors)
2. Hino
3. Suzuki Motors
4. Mitsubishi (Caleb Motors)
5. Hyundai Naga
6. Ford Naga
7. Toyota of the South, Naga

Soon to open:
8. Chevrolet
9. Honda Motors

To re- open in a bigger space (apaprently in Diversion)
10. Kia Motors.

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 02:03 AM

Wilcon :cheers: beside NAPOCOR doc, right?

Yes.

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 02:09 AM

I wonder why Goldilocks until this time does not seem ready to open a full store in Naga despite its owner has roots in Naga/Cam Sur. Is it an indication of doubt on the profitability of the Naga market? Are they missing the fact that most of the big players are already in town and doing well and more are coming? m))

They have two stores in Naga, SM City and Centro but they are just Cake Shops and nothing more.

They have a pretty big space at SM City Naga, which is a very good market for a fast food, and I'm wondering why they limited their offerings to cakes and pastries only.

kevinb

July 19th, 2011, 02:10 AM

I was in Ford Motors yesterday afternoon and the Ford Naga manager confirmed that Chevrolet and Honda are opening in Naga next year. He said that people from Chevrolet dropped by his office a week ago for a courtesy call.

I'll post photos of Ford Naga tonight.

So far Naga has the following car dealerships:

1. Nissan (Universal Motors)
2. Hino
3. Suzuki Motors
4. Mitsubishi (Caleb Motors)
5. Hyundai Naga
6. Ford Naga
7. Toyota of the South, Naga

Soon to open:
8. Chevrolet
9. Honda Motors

To re- open in a bigger space (apaprently in Diversion)
10. Kia Motors.

Goodie! I thought Kia closed down for good!:D

Where will Chevrolet and Honda open @Doc? A few months ago, Chery was rumored to open in the city? Was it entirely a rumor?:dunno:

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 02:19 AM

Goodie! I thought Kia closed down for good!:D

Where will Chevrolet and Honda open @Doc? A few months ago, Chery was rumored to open in the city? Was it entirely a rumor?:dunno:

What I heard is that the rental contract was not renewed as it would be occupied by Nissan, which the family owns a franchise from Universal Motor Corporation.

I don't know where they would open but it could be in diversion as most of the car dealerships are located there.

I did not hear about Cherry in the past.

oragon.com

July 19th, 2011, 02:45 AM

EUROTEL SOON
2nd-6th floor

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4210.jpg

makatiprime

July 19th, 2011, 02:48 AM

double rates na ang mga hotel sa naga ngayun kahit early reservation for the feast, amazing! subrang demand, moraville hotel nakuha ko at yung 2,900 per night nalang nakuha ko

kevinb

July 19th, 2011, 02:52 AM

^^ Grabe talaga pag malapit na ang Fiesta. :shocked:

Ako mismo na-shock pa rin.:lol:

kevinb

July 19th, 2011, 02:54 AM

EUROTEL SOON
2nd-6th floor

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4210.jpg

Once Eurotel opens, Plaza Quezon and Rizal will be much brighter. The "happenings" in and near the two plazas will be stopped. :lol:

oragon.com

July 19th, 2011, 03:13 AM

CBD2

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/sun.jpg

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 03:24 AM

Reyes Barbecue

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/ReyesBBQ2.jpg?t=1311038532

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/ReyesBBQ1.jpg?t=1311038595

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 03:29 AM

Face to Face

Camella Naga

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza010.jpg?t=1311038873

Boasting three developments in Naga
(Tremezzo, Lessandra and Camella Heights)

DMCI- Urban

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza011.jpg?t=1311038922

Boasting 5 developments in Naga
St. Jude 1, 2 and 3, St. Jude Orchard, St. James
and more coming

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 03:51 AM

A Peek At Carlo's Pizza,
Naga Branch

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza039.jpg?t=1311039930

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza035.jpg?t=1311040107

There were lots of diners last Sunday
so I was reluctant to get photos with
sweeping view of the restaurant.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/CarlosPizza.jpg?t=1311040170

I'll do so in the future.

oragon.com

July 19th, 2011, 05:00 AM

Goodie! I thought Kia closed down for good!:D

Where will Chevrolet and Honda open @Doc? A few months ago, Chery was rumored to open in the city? Was it entirely a rumor?:dunno:

The interested party was eyeing Magsaysay for its 1st Bicol branch but the plan just fizzled out.

It would be occupying the old Nissan (Universal Motors Office)

Nissan transferred to the space that KIA Naga left.

That Lisam compound has three car dealerships: Suzuki Motors Naga, Nissan (Universal Motors) and Hino Naga.

KIA Naga closed down temporarily and apparently would be moving to a bigger space.

I was in Ford Motors yesterday afternoon and the Ford Naga manager confirmed that Chevrolet and Honda are opening in Naga next year. He said that people from Chevrolet dropped by his office a week ago for a courtesy call.

I'll post photos of Ford Naga tonight.

So far Naga has the following car dealerships:

1. Nissan (Universal Motors)
2. Hino
3. Suzuki Motors
4. Mitsubishi (Caleb Motors)
5. Hyundai Naga
6. Ford Naga
7. Toyota of the South, Naga

Soon to open:
8. Chevrolet
9. Honda Motors

To re- open in a bigger space (apaprently in Diversion)
10. Kia Motors.

BIG appetite for vehicles :cheers:

Kuya Pao, it that Concepcion Pequena printed below the SOON TO OPEN phrase? what newspaper po ni?

Manila Bulletin 7/18/11 issue

kevinb

July 19th, 2011, 06:39 AM

The interested party was eyeing Magsaysay for its 1st Bicol branch but the plan just fizzled out.

Sayang man. Okay lang. They'd eventually realize it's their loss.:lol::D

randism

July 19th, 2011, 08:35 AM

PH battles neighbors for $2B (http://www.malaya.com.ph/july19/busi1.html)
solar cell expansion plant
BY IRMA ISIP

THE Philippines will slug it out with Asean neighbors in vying for a $2-billion expansion of American solar firm Sun Power Corp, according to Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio.

Panlilio said Sun Power’s third expansion has caught the eye of Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand in Indonesia.

Sun Power currently runs two solar cell factories in Calabarzon and another in Malacca in Malaysia.

Panlilio said the Board of Investments and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority are working with the Department of Energy to come out with a competitive package that would convince Sun Power to pick the Philippines as the site for its fourth plant in the region.

Panlilio said the state-of-the-art factory will make use of Sun Power’s latest technology in making wafers that go into the production of solar cells, which are used to manufacture solar panels.

The Philippine operations involve polysilicon and ingot processing and, to some extent, wafer fabrication.

"If we get this project, we would be able to do the wafer, solar cells and solar panels.
SunPower is reputed to own the technology of the most efficient generator of solar energy where the average efficiency capture is 22 percent. Others average 15 percent. This means SunPower’s technology converts 22 percent of solar energy into electricity," Panlilio said.

SunPower’s two local fabrication plants are in Laguna and Batangas. Panlilio said Sun Power is expected to come up with a decision on the site by the third quarter.

"This new facility would be able to produce solar cells that can generate 300 MW of solar power, initially for export," Panlilio said.

The factory will employ 15,000.

For now, Panlilio said, the Philippines can offer income tax holiday of up to 8 years and a preferential 5 percent tax rate on gross income as this activity falls under exports.

Panlilio said SunPower also has a proposal to put up 50 MW solar farm for its own requirement, with the excess to be fed into the grid.

He said SunPower needs 100 hectares and is in fact looking at the BNPP facility in Bataan as well as Camarines Sur.

"SunPower is very impressed with Filipino skills," Panlilio said.

^^^^^^
for investment worth $2B lets keep our fingers and eyes cross :lol::lol:

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 09:28 AM

BIG appetite for vehicles :cheers:

That's right oragon.

Just like the fast food chains, car delearship are sprouting like mushrooms in Naga City.

by the way, I forgot to include Isuzu (Gencars) Naga on the list.

1. Nissan (Universal Motors)
2. Hino
3. Suzuki Motors
4. Mitsubishi (Caleb Motors)
5. Hyundai Naga
6. Ford Naga
7. Toyota of the South, Naga
8. Isuzu Naga (Gencars)

Soon to open:
9. Chevrolet
10. Honda Motors

To re- open in a bigger space (apparently in Diversion)
11. Kia Motors meanwhile KIA Legazpi is open to serve the Bicolanos.

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 09:44 AM

Ford Naga

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford011.jpg?t=1311061052

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford002.jpg?t=1311060676

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford001.jpg?t=1311060717

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford004.jpg?t=1311061390

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford003.jpg?t=1311060760

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford007.jpg?t=1311060836

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford009.jpg?t=1311060936

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford010.jpg?t=1311061264

fil07

July 19th, 2011, 10:19 AM

runners disappointed of new schedule of Manila International Marathon which will be on the same day of CAMSUR MARATHON

Backgrounder: Manila International Marathon was originally planned June 24, 2011 but was moved to June 26. However, due to the extreme bad weather condition and safety concern of the runners, the committee decided to postpone the event on September 18, 2011. Now, they re-scheduled it on September 25th because it will coincide with Rizal Run @150.

Here are some of their reactions from takbo.ph (http://takbo.net/showthread.php/1474-Manila-International-Marathon-June-26-2011-Roxas-Blvd./page18):

kasabay nga ng camsur yan malamang may mga magbebenta ng kit nyan -angelo

meron na akong friend na magbebenta ng sa kanya.10K yun kasi magkacamsur kmi -RunningInDrag

First it was the partial race kit that was completed by piecemeal.
Then the expected storm by race date that was a false alarm.
And now an escalating confusion about its new schedule? -BigFoot

Nag babasa ako sa PF site and dami gusto mag benta ng mga kits nila dahil nag ka sabay siya sa Camsur Marathon. -msg

at PinoyFitnes.com (http://www.pinoyfitness.com/2011/02/manila-international-marathon-moved-to-june-26-2011/)
genie Says:
puwede refund the payment they cannot make it make they should on august…. OR I MUST REFUND THE PAYMENT…!!!!!!!!!!!

barefootdaves Says:
perhaps the organizers can entertain a possible refund. pero kung hindi naman sila sasagot sa tawag at txt natin eh wala din. imho, mahina ung ginamit nila for disseminating the information about the cancellation of the marathon. a friend was asked twice by fellow participants kung nasaan ung start/finish arc last sunday

bong m. Says:
pwede po bang irefund reg sobrang tagal naman nun sept. nakabook na ako for abroad PLSSSSSSSSSSSS REFUND

Ms_Mars Says:
@karl
haha! i was going to debut my 10K during the MIM event supposed to be today.
altho im not running full mary during the CAMSUR. maybe i can level up to 21K by then.

as of this point, me and some PF peeps are still CamSur bound for Sept 25th!

Naga Boy

July 19th, 2011, 10:39 AM

Avenue Square

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford012.jpg?t=1311064595

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford013.jpg?t=1311064635

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/Ford014.jpg?t=1311064702

oragon.com

July 19th, 2011, 10:53 AM

SunPower mulls third facility for solar panels worth $2B
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio, The Philippine Star
Posted at 07/19/2011

MANILA, Philippines - SunPower Philippines Mfg. Limited (SPML), a branch of SunPower Corp. U.S.A. is planning to invest $2 billion for a third facility in the country, a ranking government official said yesterday.

Board of Investments (BOI) managing head Cristino L. Panlilio said that aside from the big investment, the new facility if located in the Philippines, will create 15,000 new jobs.

SunPower already has facilities in Laguna and Batangas. The other facility in Southeast Asia is in Malacca Malaysia.

Panlilio said SunPower is looking for a 100-hectare land where they can build its factory and solar farm. He said the facility will not be near any of its existing facilities. Instead, Panlilio said they are offering land in Bataan and Camarines Sur.

Panlilio said that aside from the Philippines, SunPower is considering Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand as possible locations for their fourth plant in Southeast Asia.

“The BOI together with PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) and the DOE (Department of Energy) are working in coming out with a competitive proposal to attract them to locate here,” Panlilio told reporters in an interview.

When asked what the edge of the Philippines is, Panlilio said “they are very impressed with Filipino workmanship, skills and talent.”

Panlilio said the firm will be using state of the art technology where they will be producing wafer fabricate Ingot processing, polysilicon wafer for assembler of solar cells and solar cells produce solar panels. They have also a proposal to put up a 50-MW solar farm for own need or allocated to grid.

SunPower reputedly owns the technology for most efficient generation of solar cells wherein the average efficiency capital is 22% versus 15% for others.

With their existing facilities here, they have solar cell and solar panel assemblies. If the third facility opens then they will be able to produce solar cell and plant.

Panlilio said the firm will be able to make their decision by the end of third quarter as to whether they will locate here or not.

SunPower is a global player in the solar industry. The company was founded in 1985 by Dr. Richard Swanson and his students while he was professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University.

SunPower Philippines Mfg. Limited, a branch of SunPower Corp. U.S.A. is a majority owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor. SPML is the first wafer fab in the Philippines to manufacture ultra-high efficiency silicon solar cells. SunPower’s unique technology is also being applied to the manufacture of a wide range of leading-edge silicon opto-electronic devices for telecommunications and industrial applications.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

_mike

July 19th, 2011, 02:04 PM

^^^ great news!!! sana madagos. :cheers:

sonofignatius

July 19th, 2011, 02:55 PM

sonofignatius

July 19th, 2011, 03:10 PM

2 BIG events to unfold in Cam Sur at national dailies today

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4191.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4195.jpg

the Change-the-Game CamSur ad congress advertisement has been appearing in national dailies these days. nice ad indeed.

Newest car company in Naga City
Hino Cars soon-to-open

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4196.jpg

more and more coming! :banana::banana::banana:

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4166.jpg

Tata Flores Cup
The only organized basketball league in the region held simultaneously and patterned after the UAAP & NCAA league format

wow good to know this info.

:lol: love the updates..

Dakul na naman palan bagong establishments sa NAGA..can't wait to be back home..
:banana:

keep coming back and posting, jhoevz. welcome to the thread- spread the news!

Only in the House on third and final reading. It will have to go next to Senate for the same process. If it is ok'd by the upper house after three readings, it will next go to the president for signature. If he approves it, it will then be submitted to the people of Cam Sur through a plebiscite within 6? months after it is signed by the president. Partition occurs if the people approve it. In short, still a long process. :)

there is still time indeed. and we can still do much to keep our people informed and updated.

sonofignatius

July 19th, 2011, 03:20 PM

double rates na ang mga hotel sa naga ngayun kahit early reservation for the feast, amazing! subrang demand, moraville hotel nakuha ko at yung 2,900 per night nalang nakuha ko
^^ Grabe talaga pag malapit na ang Fiesta. :shocked:
Ako mismo na-shock pa rin.:lol:

even naga flight rates are up and soaring-- even way before one flies for the penafrancia fiesta :lol::lol::lol: my 8 companions from manila bought their tickets last week -- but decided to fly via LGP for cheaper rates. they got a round trip for PhP2,500., compared to naga round trip rates which now cost about PhP6,000++ (cebupac/ airphil), or PhP8,000++ (airphil ticketed by pal).

isarog starts selling tix for the penafrancia fiesta this end of July.

CBD2

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/sun.jpg

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Naga City Deck

July 19th, 2011, 04:21 PM

Naga City Deck

July 19th, 2011, 04:24 PM

good sign for Emall.

true! this will pave way to a better access to the top floor where fixtures are displayed.

jardet

July 19th, 2011, 04:54 PM

true! this will pave way to a better access to the top floor where fixtures are displayed.

may be more tenants to come or to attract them to locate their shops there. something worth investing on by the mall.:banana:

sonofignatius

July 19th, 2011, 05:40 PM

Pasacao Sunrise
by Yon Layosa (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150252337046409&set=a.244256206408.146378.533936408&type=1&ref=nf)

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268294_10150252337046409_533936408_7852575_2239349_n.jpg

pang magazine cover!

true! this will pave way to a better access to the top floor where fixtures are displayed.
may be more tenants to come or to attract them to locate their shops there. something worth investing on by the mall.:banana:

one attraction that Emall can further develop and promote is the Magaro hilot stall located on one of the upper floors. the place is a little cramped. a bigger space can perhaps draw more clients.

saintm

July 19th, 2011, 11:31 PM

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randism

July 20th, 2011, 01:32 AM

Irigueño23

July 20th, 2011, 01:44 AM

Iriga City, Camarines Sur
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5718/409010orig.jpg

randism

July 20th, 2011, 01:47 AM

randism

July 20th, 2011, 02:01 AM

[QUOTE=sonofignatius;81731460]indeed someone (or some group) is in a hurry to push his (or its) agenda. moves like this alone should make everyone wary.

not the right time, imo.

:ohno::ohno::ohno:

conspiracy father :lol::lol: for the sake of perpetuity of their clan in politics hehe.

oragon.com

July 20th, 2011, 03:13 AM

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 03:43 AM

Handsome looking building!

Strategic location for Monterey! Dayangdang as the Kinalas capital surely Monterey will run out of supplies :lol:

kaya palan nawara ang monterey sa lcc, sa sm saka sa Robinsons? kasi meat shop na talaga ang igwa ninda ngunyan.. nice move...

Arrow Meat Shop at Panganiban Drive
Prime Cut at Barlin St.
Lehmann's at Magsaysay
and now Monterey Meatshop at DYD :okay:

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 04:04 AM

Adelheid Beauty Farm
@ Magsaysay Avenue

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282403_10150310948300190_747670189_9582935_1645278_n.jpg

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 04:07 AM

The base of the landmark is being constructed already

photo taken last Monday
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270435_10150310950385190_747670189_9582940_8139822_n.jpg

Naga Boy

July 20th, 2011, 04:11 AM

More on Ford Naga
Early this Morning

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga002.jpg?t=1311124851

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga008.jpg?t=1311125072

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga007.jpg?t=1311127645

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga001.jpg?t=1311127697

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga006.jpg?t=1311127726

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga010.jpg?t=1311125267

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga011.jpg?t=1311125404

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga012.jpg?t=1311125408

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 04:24 AM

^^ garo mabakal sasakayn si Doc ay :D

i really like the FoFi (Ford Fiesta)

but if Chevy will really be here.. might as well consider Chevy Spark :lol:

Naga Boy

July 20th, 2011, 04:34 AM

Adelheid Beauty Farm
@ Magsaysay Avenue

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282403_10150310948300190_747670189_9582935_1645278_n.jpg

Formerly Ghastof Naga that was being managed by the former Bb. Pilipinas Melody Gersbach who died in a car accident.

It was renamed Adelheid and the products are still being modeled by Melody on the display window.

This beauty store/shop/parlor seem to be dedicated to her and I learned from a forumer (I think it was kaniguan's post) in Legazpi that Melody's second name is Adelheid.

We will miss the ribs in Naga.

But we welcome a new unique store- a beauty farm, whatever it means.

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 04:51 AM

Formerly Ghastof Naga that was being managed by the former Bb. Pilipinas Melody Gersbach who died in a car accident.

It was renamed Adelheid and the products are still being modeled by Melody on the display window.

This beauty store/shop/parlor seem to be dedicated to her and I learned from a forumer (I think it was kaniguan's post) in Legazpi that Melody's second name is Adelheid.

We will miss the ribs in Naga.

But we welcome a new unique store- a beauty farm, whatever it means.

i found this in wiki... Melody Adelaide Manuel Gersbach (November 18, 1985 – August 21, 2010) it was spelled differently but i guess it's still named after her just like what Doc said

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 05:02 AM

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3974/p7190359.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/p7190359.png/)

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6190/p7190358.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/220/p7190358.png/)

new business at kinalas country Dyd

nice bldg. so it's confirmed - the presence of "flesh trade" (karne) in erstwhile marlboro country! :lol::lol::lol:

Iriga City, Camarines Sur
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5718/409010orig.jpg

magayon ini! :banana::banana::banana:

[QUOTE=sonofignatius;81731460]indeed someone (or some group) is in a hurry to push his (or its) agenda. moves like this alone should make everyone wary.

not the right time, imo.

:ohno::ohno::ohno:

conspiracy father :lol::lol: for the sake of perpetuity of their clan in politics hehe.

sounds like the creation of the fifth district in the province. :ohno::ohno::ohno:

Handsome looking building!

Strategic location for Monterey! Dayangdang as the Kinalas capital surely Monterey will run out of supplies :lol:

bringing the meat right where kinalas country is! dayangdang has good prospects, esp because of its proximity to magsaysay.

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 05:03 AM

http://www.airphilexpress.com/images/ads/apx-rewards-0720.gif?1311130176710

more details on
www.airphils.com

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 05:04 AM

this was tagged to me by Pen (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150266712911585&set=t.747670189&type=1)

no offense meant to Cebu and other provinces with the same name as ours :D :D

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/284261_10150266712911585_705376584_7506899_6063755_n.jpg

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 05:17 AM

i found this in wiki... Melody Adelaide Manuel Gersbach (November 18, 1985 – August 21, 2010) it was spelled differently but i guess it's still named after her just like what Doc said

i suppose the name of the establishment is the german rendition of adelaide.

The base of the landmark is being constructed already

photo taken last Monday
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270435_10150310950385190_747670189_9582940_8139822_n.jpg

thanks for the photo update, jo. keep us posted!

this was tagged to me by Pen (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150266712911585&set=t.747670189&type=1)

no offense meant to Cebu and other provinces with the same name as ours :D :D

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/284261_10150266712911585_705376584_7506899_6063755_n.jpg

your friend must ba a kinalas fan! :cheers::cheers::cheers:

randism

July 20th, 2011, 05:33 AM

Carving out a Maguindanao Dos (http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/2026-carving-out-a-maguindanao-dos)

Article Views : 11
Written by : MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

IT is crazy. It is cynical. And it would be catastrophic.

No, I am not referring to the proposed partitioning of the Big C, California, which—if done— would remove California from its lofty status as a one of the world’s ten largest economies. I am referring to the unbelievable plan to partition our own Big C, Camarines Sur, one of the best-managed LGUs in the country.

Oh, I am wrong. It is not a mere plan. It is actually a congressional bill, HB 4728, which seeks to create a so-called Nueva Camarines out of Iriga City and the towns of Garchitorena (was this the site of the 80s land scam?), Goa, Lagonoy, Tigaon, Tinambac, Nabua, Baso, Siruma, Balatan, Bula, Sagnay, Bato, Presentacion and San Jose.

And take note of this: Cara-moan, the crown jewel of tourism in the Bicol Region. Under the bill, Caramoan Island would be hacked off from Camarines Sur, then made part of this Nueva Camarines.

The bill fits many names and adjectives, all revolting, of course. In a sane world, it could never happen. In a society where leaders think of the broader good and are capable of basic and elementary discernment, such congressional initiative would have been remained as an unexpressed personal desire, like Jimmy Carter’s commission of adultery in his mind.

The problem is HB 4728 is a clear and present danger to the great strides posted by Camarines Sur to triumph over the curse of underdevelopment that has plagued areas of Luzon from the Bondoc Peninsula downward. The present DILG Secretary, Mr. Robredo, made Naga a model city. The present governor, L-Ray Villafuerte, transformed his into a model province. There are still rough patches, of course, and there is no such thing as a perfect LGU. But the momentum to create a 21st century province is there.

Now this.

For everybody’s information, the principal author and major pusher of HB 4728 is Rep. Felix Fuentebella, the Erap-era speaker of the House and a political force in the chamber. He is now on his third term (his second third term actually) and there might be no place for him politically after 2013 if Congress does the right thing and junks his HB.

But would Congress do the right thing? And junk the creation of a new province that which would be the new political turf of the former House speaker? Or, would Congress uphold the incestuous relationship, the cozy, all-boys-club atmosphere that has been the bind of its power-brokers.

We hope not. For the sake of Camarines Sur. For the sake of the Bicol Region. And for the sake of Congress itself. It is not tamang daan, it is not tuwid na daan. It is balkanization plain a simple, and with a cold, cynical end.

Well-meaning and right-thinking members of Congress can invoke powerful arguments, mainly economic ones, in opposing the partition of Camarines Sur.

The best argument against partitions in general is a study conducted by the Local Government Development Foundation, from funds granted by one of the most-admired global NGOs, the Kondrad Adenauer Stiftung. What does the study say about the balkanization of provinces?

Provinces, and most LGUs for that matter, are still much dependent on their Internal Revenue Allotments (IRAs) from the national government. The dependency is a transitional thing for the provinces posting great economic strides Soon, they will be able to generate their own formidable revenue /income base. And a permanent curse to those still struggling to gain economic footing.

But regardless of the sense of purpose of a specific LGU, IRA dependency is an across-the-board reality.

The LGDF says there is only one policy imperative under this context: the consolidation, not the fragmentation, of existing LGUs.

Breaking down LGUs would not be beneficial to the LGU that would be dismembered or to the new creation, according to the study. The two will merely be “financially anemic local authorities.” They will be weaker in a political sense, administration and management of the spit units would be a nightmare. There will be winners, of course, even with all the ugliness of the partition.

The study is straightforward on who the winners would be. It says: “Fragmentation leads to the creation of political dynasties and potentially will create little political tyrants in the countryside.”

There is a grim message being conveyed here. When you dismember provinces, there is a possibility that you are creating some sort of Maguindanao. A laboratory for politics and governance of the worst kind.

Maguindanao used to be part of the dismembered Cotabato province, remember. When it was Cotabato, it was governed by wise and principled Muslim leaders who never sought patronage from the political bosses in the capital.

We all know what Maguidanao —the small, poverty-plagued province carved out of the proud Cotabato—is about now. It is a province that can murder people at will, then pummel their lifeless bodies with backhoes to make them fit into hastily-dug mass graves.. It is about one word: impunity.

The LGDF study also warns that money would be too tight for newly-created provinces. And the original provinces would financially suffer as well. Much of the budget of the splintered, balkanized LGUs would have to be spent for personal services and no decent portion could be allocated for capital expenditures and fresh investments.

No money for capex and no fresh money for pioneering and frontier investments means mean one thing – long years of stagnation.

The best argument against the balkanization remains these two. Why fix something that is not broken? Why alter a good thing and a good governance model?

Camarines Sur is now referred to in international and domestic tourism circles as CamSur. There is one other tourist attraction in the country with an abbreviated name – Bora for Boracay. We know the reason. They are on the global tourism map. They are world-famous.

And CamSur has been eclipsing Bora on tourist arrivals. According to the e-mails of the organized groups opposed to the partition, Caramona has hosted five editions of the TV show “ Survivor.” It will host the Cobra Ironman championship in August. It will host the 22nd Congress of the AdBoard in November.And they ask:

Do we want more of these good things?

Or, do we want a creation that might end up like Maguin-danao Dos?

oragon.com

July 20th, 2011, 05:37 AM

[CENTER][COLOR="DarkRed"][SIZE="5"]More on Ford Naga
Early this Morning

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga001.jpg?t=1311127697

I like the angle of this pic! :cheers: para kang nasa Subic, Makati o kea Alabang :)

Ford cars in the foreground with an array of branded names at the background.

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 05:50 AM

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/285122_211360585582434_110525158999311_718154_3515400_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=211360585582434&set=a.111476478904179.22090.110525158999311&type=1&ref=nf)

randism

July 20th, 2011, 05:55 AM

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9117/p7180357.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/17/p7180357.png/)

Dep Ed asstnt regional director is currently holding his office here:cheers::cheers:

randism

July 20th, 2011, 06:00 AM

^^ garo mabakal sasakayn si Doc ay :D

i really like the FoFi (Ford Fiesta)

but if Chevy will really be here.. might as well consider Chevy Spark :lol:

same here FoFi fan man kuta na ako but can't a Fford :lol::lol:

Naga Boy

July 20th, 2011, 06:05 AM

same here FoFi fan man kuta na ako but can't a Fford :lol::lol:

Af- FORD- able na daa Randy, sabi kaining poster ninda:lol:

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/rrntcaceres/Carlos%20Pizza/FordNaga013.jpg?t=1311134385

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 07:18 AM

lochinvar

July 20th, 2011, 10:12 AM

I hate "Survivor." It's a show for the barbarian. Full of backbiting.

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 11:27 AM

I hate "Survivor." It's a show for the barbarian. Full of backbiting.

It's part of their survival skills :lol:

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 01:19 PM

50th Thread
by brattrap

any mods around.. palagay nalang po sa first post...

Thanks Ralph!!!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/ralph_balanta07/50B.jpg

rhyzrockerz

July 20th, 2011, 02:30 PM

50th Thread
by brattrap

any mods around.. palagay nalang po sa first post...

Thanks Ralph!!!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/ralph_balanta07/50B.jpg

AstiG.Idol:banana::banana::banana::hug::hug::grouphug::grouphug:
Manay Jo,ikaag ko po ini duman sa Fb page kang thread.

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 02:48 PM

Ayun busy ang Lahat hahaha nasa fb, may tatlong adik sa fb games hehe.

Btw, sino n sainyo gumagamit ng Google+?

jardet

July 20th, 2011, 02:49 PM

50th Thread
by brattrap

any mods around.. palagay nalang po sa first post...

Thanks Ralph!!!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/ralph_balanta07/50B.jpg

may be this can still be edited. just take out 'th' in the 50th. 'ika' serves that purpose. So it should be 'maogmang ika-50(ng) tursido'. otherwise, a great banner. :)

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 02:56 PM

may be this can still be edited. just take out 'th' in the 50th. 'ika' serves that purpose. So it should be 'maogmang ika-50(ng) tursido'. otherwise, a great banner. :)

agree!
:okay::okay::okay:

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 03:00 PM

JULY 22
St Mary Magdalene

happy fiesta sa mga taga-bula, cam sur!

http://www.stjamesjc.org/images/St_Mary_Magdalen.jpg
http://www.stjamesjc.org

jardet

July 20th, 2011, 03:06 PM

kiasog

July 20th, 2011, 04:13 PM

50th Thread
by brattrap

any mods around.. palagay nalang po sa first post...

Thanks Ralph!!!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/ralph_balanta07/50B.jpg

Another obra!!! Salamat brattrap...Happy 50th sa gabos!!!

Naga City Deck

July 20th, 2011, 04:17 PM

CWC by buddybudz

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283518_2280957102963_1219860648_32794801_463501_n.jpg

kiasog

July 20th, 2011, 04:18 PM

Iriga City, Camarines Sur
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5718/409010orig.jpg

This is neat!!! Facing Asog, to the left of is Isarog, what is the mountain to the right?

From that vantage point, Mayon is also visible roughly perpendicular to Asog. Thanks Irigueño23 for posting.

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 05:30 PM

Plan to split CamSur to affect tourism, traders warn
By Mary Ann Reyes (The Philippine Star)
Updated July 20, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - A plan to split Camarines Sur into two would not only cost taxpayers almost P800 million in start-up funds alone for the new province but would also adversely impact on the tourism upsurge in CamSur, local business executives said.

CamSur has risen lately as the country’s leading tourist draw on the strength of its world-class Watersports Complex (CWC) and now internationally famous Caramoan Islands.

Business leaders belonging to the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce said that in lieu of “balkanizing” the province, what Bicol’s emerging powerhouse needs is all-out support of all sectors behind the provincial government’s heightened efforts to jointly promote Caramoan Islands and the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili.

Caramoan was the site of five editions of the global reality TV hit “Survivors” while CWC hosted the first two annual Cobra Ironman 70.3 Championships and will again host this international triathlon’s third edition next month. Over a thousand professional and amateur triathletes here and abroad are taking part in Ironman, which is an official qualifier to the two world championships later this year in Hawaii and Las Vegas.

The chamber’s chairman and past president Butch Figuracion and its vice president Roger Peyra feared that the provincial government’s successful efforts to promote Caramoan and CWC as a package to foreign and domestic tourists alike would be undermined by House Bill 4728, which seeks to carve out from Iriga City and the 15 municipalities in the 4th and 5th districts a new province to be named Nueva Camarines.

Figuracion and Peyra said the congressional approval of HB 4728 would disturb the existing tourism plan for CamSur, which has proven to be a highly successful formula as shown by its current status as the country’s No.1 tourism hub based on official data from the Research and Statistics Division of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Authored by Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella, HB 4728 was approved by the House of Representatives on the eve of Congress’ sine die adjournment last June even if no public hearing was ever held in the province to get the sentiments of the public and inputs from local political and business leaders on this highly unpopular move, they added.

Earlier, local elective officials led by Mayor Rey Lacoste, provincial chapter president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; Councilor James Jaucian of the municipality of Libmanan, who is provincial chapter president of the Philippine Councilors’ League, Liga ng mga Barangay and chairman Domingo Briones of Barangay Tambo in Pamplona, who is provincial chapter president of the Liga ng mga Barangay; also blasted Fuentebella for pushing this bill, and called on the Senate to save CamSur by junking HB 4728.

Figuracion said that rather than waste almost P800 million of taxpayers’ money on the proposed Nueva Camarines, the bill’s proponents should just abandon HB 4728 and work instead with the provincial leadership in fully transforming CamSur into a tourism haven and economic powerhouse in Bicol.

“You cannot separate these two sites as they are packaged together to bring in tourists to CamSur. What will happen now if a new province is created severing Caramoan Island from CamSur? It will upset the provincial government’s blueprint for CamSur’s tourism industry and the business sector’s plans to expand or open up new ventures in the province,” Peyra said.

www.philstar.com

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 06:06 PM

http://www.penafrancia.ca/

Penafrancia 2011 Toronto, Canada
OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA
Festival Toronto Canada
September 17, 2011
Bluffers Park, Toronto

http://www.penafrancia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Penafrancia-tshirt-design-e1309224549923.jpg

http://www.penafrancia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Penafrancia-button-design-e1309224742640.jpg

http://www.penafrancia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cropped-penafranciaheader1.jpg

sonofignatius

July 20th, 2011, 06:28 PM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5671498877_d4c96d5f75.jpg
by fredobsurt

oragon.com

July 21st, 2011, 02:19 AM

to rival Citihardware Naga

Wilcon Depot Naga
Boundary Naga-Pili

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Nagacity/DSCF4216.jpg

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 05:16 AM

CWC by buddybudz

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283518_2280957102963_1219860648_32794801_463501_n.jpg

nice shot!

hi and yellow to all! :banana::banana::banana:

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 05:32 AM

Camella Naga expands
New flood-free site opened

Article | July 20, 2011 - 2:21am

NAGA CITY (July 21, 2011) - Across the middle of Bicolandia is Camarines Sur -- the province popular for its abundant supply of peppers and pili nuts. Camsur holds one of the most visited pilgrimage centers made prominent by the Peñafrancia festival held every September in honor of the region’s patroness, Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

CamSur is likewise a tourism boon as it presents a milieu of adventures through its long list of spectacular islands -- like the famous Caramoan bay and the Water Sports Complex (CWC), which offers top of the line facilities for, wake boarding, water skiing and wake skating. And less than five-minute drive from these adventures takes you to the gates of Camella Naga!

An Italian-themed community with tree-lined roads and the panoramic view of the grandiose Mount Isarog as its backdrop, Camella Naga’s host of amenities includes a clubhouse with swimming pool, spacious courtyards, landscaped gardens and fountains. Recreational facilities like basketball court, playground, and exercise station, jogging trails. The safety of the residents is well guarded as perimeter walls enclose the community, guarded 24/7 by security personnel presence of CCTV camera in strategic areas within the property. Soon, shuttle services that ply the cities’ major routes will be made available for the convenience of the residents.

The region is frequently battered by typhoons. Despite that, Camella Naga remains a flood-free development as it is situated in an elevated location.

Camella Naga ensures opportunities for home ownership for more Bicolano families through its Lessandra enclaves, Vista Land’s brand for the affordable market with homes that sell between P800 to P1.6M while the popular Camella for the mid-income segment with home options that sell between P1.7 to P5M. Just recently, the development’s latest expansion area, the Camella Heights, answers the Bicolanos clamor for home ownership. Monthly amortization for as low as P300 per day or just P9,000 per month are made much more easy with payment options and schemes.

Dubbed as the “Heart of Bicol” Naga is the most densely populated city in the region and home to commercial, financial, educational and religious centers of Bicol. Situated along the main arterial road, the Maharlika Highway, this community is conveniently located near shopping centers, schools like the Ateneo de Naga and Universidad de Sta. Isabel, pilgrims’ churches such as the Basilica de Peñafrancia and the Carmelite Chuch, business hubs and the Naga Airport.

“In the years we are in Naga, there have been no reports of flooding in our community. That testifies to the care put by Camella in choosing locations, as well as the master planning that goes into each project way before we even break ground,” proudly states Camella Naga General Manager Natanette Pardito.

Pardito also says that aside from choosing a good location, people should buy from reputable, established developers who have a good track record. “A home is the most important investment we can make,” she said. “We need to be careful about our choice. Take a look at their portfolio of projects to see if they deliver on their promises, and if they’re concerned about their carbon footprint.”

Vista Land, the country’s largest homebuilder, has been very conscious about its impact on its host communities and surroundings. “For 36 years, before it ever caught on, we are among the first to initiate the greening of the land we develop” shares Communities Philippines President Jerylle Luz C. Quismundo.

“We realized even back then that as a real estate company, we have a profound impact on the land that we develop. Therefore, we have seriously worked on the greening of our areas,” concludes Quismundo.

Camella is the subsidiary catering to the mid-market segment of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the country’s largest homebuilder. It has 36 years of experience, built more than 250,000 homes and maintains a strong presence in Mega Manila and 21 other key provincial destinations and 48 cities and municipalities, while aggressively expanding to other regions. For more information on Camella developments in CamSur, call (02) 584 1182 or 0917 857 6494 for Direct Marketing, (054) 475 0594; (054) 478 0705 and 0917 863 9592 for Camella Naga, or log on to www.camella.com.ph. (Press Release Camella Homes Naga City)

www.voxbikol.com

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 05:34 AM

www.voxbikol.com

http://www.voxbikol.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/400xY/camellaphoto.jpg

http://www.voxbikol.com/sites/default/files/naga-family600.jpg

debilitated_apparell

July 21st, 2011, 06:22 AM

hi all...

oragon.com

July 21st, 2011, 08:03 AM

Irigueño23

July 21st, 2011, 08:11 AM

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/8123/28319225658663102423110.jpg
Mayor Madel Alfelor-Gazmen Cup

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 02:56 PM

business update

1. Coca Cola Bottlers on-going negotiation to occupy the gasoline just beside their warehouse for an expansion.

2. Mitsubishi Caleb is mulling for an expansion of their service center.

from "adding life" to "opening happiness". more power to coke!

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/8123/28319225658663102423110.jpg
Mayor Madel Alfelor-Gazmen Cup

good for iriga! :cheers:

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 02:58 PM

http://www.adnu.edu.ph/ads/teaser_short_ad.jpg

www.adnu.edu.ph

http://www.adnu.edu.ph/Ads/route.jpg

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 03:04 PM

http://www.cebupacificair.com/banners/banner1.gif

www.cebupacificair.com

round trip MNLWNP around PhP1500, all-in.

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 04:33 PM

Noli slams disinformation
on ‘Nueva Camarines’ bill

QUEZON CITY --- Rep. Arnulfo ‘Noli’ Fuentebella this week asked why local officials of Camarines Sur are asking for an additional loan of P1.5 billion on top of its already existing P2 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) if the claim is true that the province is now progressing economically.

Fuentebella posed the question in response to claims that the creation of the Province of Nueva Camarines from the 4th and 5th District of CamSur would derail the latter’s economic and tourism growth.

At the same time, the former House Speaker condemned the

“disinformation, half-truths and outright lies being aired” against the creation of Nueva Camarines through House Bill 4728 which has been superseded by substitute HB 4820 that already embodies the committee amendments which he authored.

“We are in effect creating two first-class provinces according to the figures of the Bureau of Local Government Finance. The mother province CamSur has an average income for the past 4 years of P733 million and the proposed Nuva Camarines may also become a first-class province due to the resulting computed average income for 4 years of P591 million,” Fuentebella explained.

He pointed out that there is nothing in his bill that would stifle the growth as complementary tourism destinations of the CamSur Watersports Complex in Pili and the beach-resort attractions of the Caramoan Islands, saying that they have the potential of surpassing their present tourist arrival figures as they would be better managed.

“The ones doing a disservice to tourism in the province are those in CamSur who entice wakeboarding enthusiasts to forego CWC and to patronize other wakeboarding facilities. As to Caramoan, it is a top attraction unto itself because its beaches are among the very best in the world,” said Fuentebella.

He also branded as “dubious” a claim made by a foreign-funded study that creating a new province in the Philippines would allegedly cost P789 million.

Fuentebella stressed that the creation of Nueva Camarines enjoys unequivocal support from 4 out of 5 congressmen from CamSur, 24 out of 35 mayors of the entire province, as well as wide support from the people of CamSur.

”Out of the 10 towns in my district alone, we have 7 mayors, 9 vice-mayors, and 9 ABC Presidents, and about ninety percent of the barangay captains openly supporting this measure. Even the officials of coastal barangay which have long been neglected by the provincial government, including the municipalities of Caramoan, Siruma, Garchitorena, Presentacion and North Lagonoy, have recently expressed their unequivocal support to the creation of Nueva Camarines,” Fuentebella said.

The CamSur solon said there have been several summits on the issue initiated by the private sector and civil society groups, two of which were held at Ateneo de Naga last March and most recently at the University of St. Anthony in Iriga City.

“These two summits conducted an objective presentation of the pros and cons of HB 4728/4820 and in both instances, the public registered their overwhelming favorable response. This offers conclusive proof that the people of Camarines Sur are aware of the issue and cannot be tricked either through demolition jobs against personalities or through diversionary tactics aimed at muddling the core issues,” he said.

Fuentebella slammed the group opposed to the creation of the new province as “bereft of legitimate issues to raise so they are resorting to character assassination instead of facing the issues head-on.”

“I and many others who believe in HB 4728/4820 are confident that no amount of demolition job can stop the people from pursuing the economic progress every CamSur citizen dreams. In the end, the people will vote in the plebiscite based on what’s best for them and not on mere trumped-up issues,” he added.

“The two public/congressional hearings on HB 4820 which I principally authored would bear out these facts contrary to the claims of critics. The creation of Nueva Camarines enjoys wide support because it would economically benefit not only the proposed new province but the mother province of CamSur as well,” said Fuentebella.

“I don’t know where the quoted local officials are coming from and I do not wish to dignify with a response their slanderous allegation that we just want to create a new turf. That’s preposterous. How can it be politically motivated when other congressmen who come from different political parties and of different political persuasions in the province, like Cong. Luis Villafuerte and Cong. Dato Arroyo, have all agreed and signed as co-authors to create Nueva Camarines? Even Cong. Rolando Andaya has committed his support for the measure.”

The towns included in the proposed Province of Nueva Camarines are (4th District) Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Presentacion, Siruma, Sagnay, San Jose, Tigaon, Tinambac; (5th District) Balatan, Baao, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Nabua and Iriga City.

Fuentebella said both Nueva Camarines and CamSur pass the legal requirements (Section 461 of the Local Government Code of 1991 or RA 7160) for the creation of a new province.

These requirements are: the average income in the last two years of the province to be created is not less than P20M based on 1991 figures; its population is not less than 250,000; and its land area is not less than 2,000 square kilometers.

Other conditions have also been met, added Fuentebella. These are: the division does not reduce the income, population or land area of the mother province to less than the minimum requirements of RA 7160; and the income classification of the mother province shall not fall below its current classification prior to such division.

In his explanatory note to HB 4728, Fuentebella said that “compared with the old (undivided province of CamSur) the capability of the two new provinces (CamSur and Nueva Camarines) to deliver services as expressed by way of per capita income, based on computed IRA allocation, will be greater than the old.”

“The focus should be on facts and not personalities to strengthen support for creating Nueva Camarines. At the end of the day, the people of Camarines Sur will decide the matter through a plebiscite,” Fuentebella said.

www.bicolmail.com

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 04:35 PM

New Rotary Club slates charter rites, induction

NAGA CITY --- The 106th Rotary Club of District 3820, The Rotary Club of Metro Naga, Club No. 83804, which was chartered by Rotary International last April 27, 2011, will hold its charter and induction ceremonies on July 22, 2011, Friday, at the Naga Regent Hotel.

IPDG Fortunato Dimayuga and DG Reynaldo Castillo will induct the following new officers: Charter President Anthony E. Ortega; President Elect Joseph Philip Abueg; Secretary Roberto Bombita; Treasurer Renato Tapel; PRO Louie Brabante; Sgt. at Arms Bejamin Barroga and Nino Francis Raynera; and 25 other new charter members.

Naga City Mayor John Bongat will be the guest speaker while guests from the different Rotary clubs and civic organizations have been invited to grace the club’s maiden event. The new club was a brainchild of Past President Chuck Ravarena who hosted its organization inside his residence sometime in August 2010 with Past President Ronnie Ursua as adviser. Past President Francis A. Dabu was designated District Governor Special Representative of the new club.

The Rotary Club of Metro Naga’s sponsoring club was the Rotary Club of Naga under its President, Evett Olivan of RY 2010-11

www.bicolmail.com

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 04:36 PM

CamSur pursues educational initiatives

Provincially-run Camarines Sur Information Technology Center (CSITC) continues to offer free Information Technology (IT) courses to offsprings of less fortunate or otherwise financially incapacitated families to send their children to college and pursue a degree course.

This is apart from other efforts being poured by the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. LRay Villafuerte to alleviate the lives of its constituents, especially thru the increases on its coffers derived from tourism initiatives. Thus, it is evident that it is not letting go of its program on education and personal capability enhancement as among its priority thrust especially in the field of information technology.

Included among these courses are Basic Computer Operations, PC Troubleshooting and Maintenance, AutoCAD, Photoshop and Desktop Publishing Course. Said courses are being offered free from tuition and miscellaneous expenses and will entail only minimal expenses on manuals for every module discussed during their studies.

These courses, which at the least require 48 classroom hours, are TESDA registered and approved hence would assure the benefit of high quality learning and skills acquisition resulting to greater potentials of landing a job. Moreover, CamSur is committed to providing assistance to its graduates in seeking employment. It is of record that majority of Sutherland Global Services (in CamSur), CamSur Medical Transcription Center, and CamSur Animation Studio personnel are graduates of CamSur thru its various educational programs.

Meanwhile, CSITC also offers nominal duration course, ranging from six months to one year, which lead to job placements with high demands here and abroad and yet at minimal tuition fees. Among said courses are Computer Hardware Servicing NC-II and Computer Programming NC-IV.

Classes will start on July 25 but enrollment will continue.

Interested parties may inquire thru its landline 473-03-02 or may proceed to the ground floor of CamSur Trade and Investment Center, BMC Road, Panganiban Drive, Naga City. FERNANDEZ/MMEC

www.bicolmail.com

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 04:37 PM

GSIS installs G-WAPS at Capitol

PILI, Camarines Sur?Capitol employees who are members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) need no longer travel far to avail of the services of this vaunted government institution.

A new GSIS GWAPS machine, part of 500 new generation units countrywide that will include all provinces, was installed at the lobby of the main Capitol Building last July 14, hence, capitol employees who in the latest count numbering more than a thousand do not have to take that distant trip to the GSIS Regional Office at barangay Del Rosario, Naga City for their loan availments and other services offered by the government-owned and controlled corporation through its GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GW@PS).

In her message during the unveiling ceremony held at the capitol lobby, GSIS Vice President for Operations Sally Mate proudly laid out the thrust of GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara which is to be responsive to the members, a noteworthy goal which jives well with Gov. LRay Villafuerte’s brand of leadership and style of public service.

VP Mate revealed that all provincial capitols will each be provided with this top of the line machine that will see no need for the employees to leave the office building to seek out the boon of GSIS services.

The Kiosks out for installation to provincial capitols are the latest thin and sleek version which can provide quick assistance such as the consol loan, policy loans, emergency loans and other services at the touch of the fingertip. “Soon, the machine will be upgraded so that it will also have the capability to process retirement claims,” VP Mate announced before the appreciative audience.

Vice Gov. Fortunato Pena and Provincial Administrator Fermin Mabulo who were among the provincial officials and employees present during the unveiling and turnover of the GSIS Kiosk expressed their thanks to GSIS administration.

Among the GSIS officials present during the momentous occasion were: Regional Manager Lolita M. Pureza, Carmen E. Prila, Division Head, Frontline Services, Leon Ma. Fajardo, Branch Manager, Legaspi Branch and Jhonson Dating, Satellite Officer, Virac Satellite Office. MMEC /stn

www.bicolmail.com

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 04:41 PM

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul21/pictures/see.gif

Partitioning the Philippines
On April 13, 2006 a forum was held at Stanford University dubbed “Partitioning the Philippines - Is It Desirable? Is It Realistic? A Scholarly Conversation.” Speakers were Filipino-American lawyer-writer David C. Martinez, and Prof. of Political Science Lela Noble from San Jose State University. It was moderated by Donald K. Emmerson of Stanford University.

David C. Martinez was born in the Philippines, and graduated from Silliman University where he was a medal-winning debater. He now works and resides in the US. In 2005, he authored the book “A Country of Our Own” its subtitle “Partitioning the Philippines” expounds his underlying theory that the Philippines is moving toward disintegration.

In the Philippine House of Representatives, there are moves to partition existing provinces by creating new ones. Foremost are House Bill No.4728 being pushed by Rep. Noli Fuentebella (4th District, Camarines Sur) creating the Nueva Camarines and House Bill Nos. 3733. 3632, and 3657 creating Cebu del Sur, Cebu Occidental, and Cebu del Norte respectively shoved by some self-indulgent Cebu politicians and being opposed by many sectors.

Some of my friends abroad are aghast why some politicians are bent on Balkanising the nation. Balkanisation is a geopolitical term, originally used to describe the process of fragmentation or division of a region or country into smaller regions or states that are often hostile or non-cooperative with each other, and it is considered pejorative.(adj. meaning “having a disparaging effect or force”).

The term refers to the division of the Balkan peninsula, formerly ruled almost entirely by the Ottoman Empire, into a number of smaller states between 1817 and 1912. The term however came into common use in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, with reference to the numerous new states that arose from the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Russian Empire. The term is also used to describe other forms of disintegration.

UP Political Science Professor and columnist Alex Magno specifically referred to the move of Rep. Fuentebella in the House of Representative as “Gerrymandering” (Philippine Star column, July 16, 2011 issue). He said, “Speaking of political failure, there is a bill awaiting Senate concurrence that will add yet another one to our excessive list of provinces…. The case of HB 4728, strongly espoused by Rep. Fuentebella, appears to be driven by selfish political interest. The bill proposes to carve out from Camarines Sur the booming Caramoan area which today attracts more tourists than either Manila or Cebu. The old province will be left with the poorer, insurgency-infested municipalities and will probably be left to stagnate.

Even more dubious, HB 4728 includes a provision that will enable the President of the Republic to appoint an interim governor, vice-governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan to govern the new province until the next elections. Given this administration’s inclination to appoint local officials rather than have them elected, as we saw in the measure postponing elections for the ARMM, the creation of a new Camarines province will likely benefit the political family that dominates that area’s politics: the Fuentebellas.

We hope the Senate will consider this clear attempt at gerrymandering more carefully than the House did. It is time to close the door on entrenched political dynasties who carve out local government units they can easily control in order to perpetuate their grip.”

Why create a new province? Politicians in the Philippines today have the knack and undisguised tendency to divide (thus fragment) existing provinces into smaller provinces. The study published in 2005 by the Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF) in Manila entitled “Fragmentation VS Consolidation: The case of Philippine Local Governments” clearly explains, “The primary reason for this move is obviously to maintain and strengthen their political turf over weak local governments.”

The study funded by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a German institution, argued that once provinces are broken into smaller units, said new local government units cannot survive for lack of financial viability. It said that fragmentation leads to the creation of more provinces which claimed to be autonomous but in reality depend for their existence on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

A 2003 report of the Department of Finance revealed that 85% of the 79 provinces in the Philippines are IRA dependent. So much so, that if the national government will withhold the release of IRAs to the LGUs due to an unmanageable national debt, most provinces will collapse. Given these figures of very high IRA dependency, why then create more “financially anemic” provincial governments? Genuine and effective local autonomy can be achieved only if a local authority (i.e. provincial government) has a local reserve base sufficient enough to finance development programs and projects, as well as basic services, far greater than the National Government grants, allotments or subsidies.

It was noted that bills in Congress proposing to break provinces ultimately will lead to the creation of much weaker provincial governments/ local government administration. For example, it was estimated that 45-55% of its annual budget are likely to be allocated for personal services normally characterized by a bloated bureaucracy. Therefore, creating more local government units is inherently an inefficient use of public resources. It adds to bloating the public payroll and diverts funds from social services and infrastructure, and consequently affects the overall development of the area and the delivery of government services to the people.

Without any clear revenue/income base these provinces will be perpetually dependent and become a burden to the National Government. Since most of the budget is spent for personal services (salaries & wages), maintenance, fuel & power, etc. only meager amount could be allocated for capital expenditures and fresh investments. It cannot even fund its own programs and projects by mere local initiatives. Inevitably, this leads to long years of stagnation and inertia in the countryside.

Due to this reality, the policy should be to consolidate local governments (provinces and municipalities) not divide and fragment them. Universal experiences have shown that bigger local governments are better local governments. That is why in most countries in Europe and more stable democracies in the world, merger and unification are continuously being worked out as a way of making local authorities more truly autonomous and the local government progressive.

It must be observed that local governments in the Philippines are already so fragmented in comparison with other countries in Asia. For example, China has a land area of 9.326 million sq. km and a population of 1.3 billion but has only 23 provinces & 5 autonomous regions, whereas Indonesia has a land area of 1.826 million sq. km and a population of 238 million but has only 30 provinces & 2 special regions. On the other hand, Thailand has 511,770 sq km land area, a population of 65 million and 76 changwats or LGUs whereas Japan has 377,744 sq. km. and a population of 128 million but has only 47 prefectures.

Compared to Vietnam which has 325,360 sq. km in land area, a population of 83 million and 59 provinces, the Philippines as of 2005 has 79 provinces, 298,170 sq. km land area and a population of 86 million. From the Asian perspective, it must be noted that the Philippines has the smallest land area but has the most number of provinces. Similarly, it is not logical to use population as a factor to argue for fragmentation based on the above comparison.

I would like to end this article by asking the following questions:

What are the perceived benefits of creating a new province?

What are the actual disadvantages of the said proposal, and how much will it cost the government? How much of the taxpayers’ money will be spent?

What is the cost and benefit analysis of the said exercise?

Getting the answers and important facts will help all of us form an enlightened opinion. It would help in educating the people understand the relevant issues and concerns related to the proposed division of the province of Camarines Sur. It is also crucial to carefully study the arguments from both sides in order to make an intelligent decision. We firmly believe that a well-informed citizenry is essential to and remains the bulwark of a Democratic society. (Next week :How much will it costs to partition/form a Province?)

www.bicolmail.com

sonofignatius

July 21st, 2011, 04:44 PM

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/jul21/pictures/briz.gif

Of labeling and namecalling

Extra care should be observed in labeling, not only of products for sale but even more so on causes being launched or projects pursued.

The most prominent about this labeling thing is the current controversy in the light of the divide between those who either favor or oppose the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill). Clearly, the bill, in so far as its proponents are concerned, is not anti life. Those who are opposed to the proposal label it as ‘’antilife,’’ as distinguished from their stand of being ‘’prolife’.’

Judging from their arguments, neither the pro nor anti RH Bill, are antilife. In fact, both of them are prolife. The antis may actually be pro birth. The pros, who call themselves pro choice, may in reality mean better life.

It is therefore unfair to label those who favor its passage as “anti life.” ‘’The two sides actually differ only in defining life, or more directly, the difference may be on the quality of life being promoted.

In the City of Naga, what have become common road signs are with reference to the closure of some roads in the light of on going construction and rehabilitation of drainage facilities. It is noticed that the signs referring to road closures read as follows: “road closed,” ‘’ closed road ‘’and at worst, ‘’close road.” Translated into Bicol ‘’ closed road ‘’ means ‘’ saradong tinampo.” ‘’ Road closed’’ means “tinampong sinarahan,” closed road or road closed are acceptable. ‘’Close road ‘’which in Bicol means ‘haraning tinampo’’ or in english it could also mean in a command or an order to close the road, is wrong.

Those in charge of preparing the text of such road signs should be more careful in coining the words. It is very embarrassing to a first class city like Naga not to know the proper terms needed in making road signs.

Over there outside of Naga City, certain streamers or billboards opposing the partition of Camarines Sur carry the words “No to Bukag Camarines Sur.” People in the know can easily detect that the word ‘’Bukag’’ refers to Congressman Arnulfo Fuentebella’s alias which in English means to stir. In Partido friends and foes call Fuentebella either Noli or Bukag, the latter being uttered in jest.

Partitioning Camarines Sur is not actually intended to simply stir the province. Rather it is meant to further hasten its developments. But if those who resort to using the term bukag intend to ridicule the fourth district solon, they are terribly mistaken. If the word bukag means to stir, then if used in connection with the creation of Nueva Camarines, it has a positive implication.

This is so because, precisely the proposal to create Nueva Camarines is intended to stir the area’s development. It also means moving about actively or to venture into something new.

Be that as it may, partitioning Camarines Sur should not be likened to a surgical operation. It should be noted that the division refers to defining the metes and bounds of the two provinces to be born out of the partition. Its division cannot be similar to a surgical operation. Partitioning a province involves political science and public administration. Medical science has no place on this concern.

On the other hand, if it is insisted that such partition be applied to a human body, the situation may be similar to a Siamese twin. The two have to be separated in order that they may be able to survive. Together attached, they will surely die, or live a miserable life.

www.bicolmail.com

sonofignatius

July 22nd, 2011, 01:51 AM

Classic ads versus word of mouth

By: Roger Pe
Philippine Daily Inquirer
10:47 pm | Thursday, July 21st, 2011
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This South Asian country used to conjure images of economic neglect, natural disasters and poverty. Would you want to go there after your oh-so-chic Paris trip? Perhaps no.

Unbeknownst to many, it is now making a name because of its main attraction: Cox’s Bazar—the world’s longest ocean beach with towering cliffs running parallel through it.

Along with once sleepy town Glendalough in Ireland and Engelberg in Switzerland, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh is now listed by tourism bible Trifter (online publisher of the world’s biggest destinations) as among the top 3 most beautiful places in the world to visit.

The three places finally belonged to the map after advertising repackaged their image.

Just like the Cinderella story of two of the Philippines’ biggest tourism magnets today: Camarines Sur and Palawan.

Against the more established Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Bacolod, Davao and Baguio, no one ever thought, not even in your wildest dreams, that Camarines Sur would one day become the country’s No. 1 destination.
It is officially the country’s biggest tourism star, upstaging even neighboring Albay (home to majestic Mayon Volcano), a phenomenal achievement acquired within such a short time.

The secret: sheer belief in advertising and making all its communication materials—TV ads, website, new media—looking fresh, dynamic and interesting.

Used to be known only for the Peñafrancia festival, abaca, perennial typhoons and your lowly “laing,” the province has awakened and given birth to a new moniker: CamSur.

A turnaround and image re-invention, CamSur, reborn, emerged from its cocoon, and shed off the crude, boring “cottage” advertising style we were accustomed to see.

The provincial government invested on a number of TV commercials, each with a strategic approach positioning the province as a dream vacation, a paradise for honeymooners and a world-class destination for extreme sports.

“CamSur Romance” featuring Caramoan, locale of the French Survivor reality TV show, “Dream Vacation,” “Sweet” and “Lago del Ray” were some of the TV ads it produced.

They’re all beautifully photographed and attempted to create a new genre: local tourism advertising.

CamSur’s biggest attractions are its world-class Watersports Complex with the best cable park in the world and Gota Village Resort in Caramoan.
If you build it, they will come, so goes the saying.

Indeed, tourists came in droves to CamSur. Credit the man who believed and put his faith in brand advertising: Governor Lray Villafuerte.

From January to September 2010, CamSur posted a remarkable 52.90 percent incremental growth over the same period in 2009 in tourists. A total of 310,063 foreigners visited the province in 2010 compared with 206,937 in 2009, or a 49.83-percent increase. Domestic tourists in the province also ballooned: from 1,229,029 in 2009 to 1,569,109 in 2010.

The last frontier

Many years ago, we only knew Palawan as a penal and leper colony, malaria-infested with nothing but large tracts of primeval rainforests.
Accessible only by a few commercial boats sailing two nights and a day (or longer) to reach Manila, or by a solitary Philippine Airlines Fokker plane, the Philippines’ largest island province was hugely undeveloped.

When Ramon V. Mitra Sr. started modernizing the province, things began to change. Puerto Princesa became a city in 1970 and word of mouth pushed Palawan to everyone’s consciousness.

The main airport was transformed to an alternative international gateway capable of handling jetliners and more than eight daily flights during peak season.

Today, around six Airbus jets fly to Palawan every day and more luxurious, faster ships ply the Manila-Palawan route.

Inch by inch, the province climbed from obscurity to top-of-mind recall.
El Nido, Coron, Busuanga, Calauit, and the mother of them all, the stunning Amanpulo, built by the prestigious Aman Resorts Worldwide, advertised Palawan to the world.

Brand Palawan was slowly being created due to sustainable eco-tourism and rare flora and fauna, the province’s main selling proposition.

Unlike CamSur, which is compact, Palawan seems to be an entire country, much larger in land area and its attractions are scattered in many municipalities, separated by bodies of water.

“That makes transportation more difficult than places that are conveniently located in areas accessible to all kinds of transportation,” Palawan Gov. Baham Mitra laments.

But Mitra rejoices in the fact that “Palawan’s tourism spots are natural wonders, their beauty lies in the natural symmetry of sand, sea, and rocky formations grouped together as in a symphony.”

God-made versus man-made, that seems to be Palawan is to CamSur.
With more and more positive feedback riding on its crest, Palawan is penetrating deeply into our domestic and foreign households without really trying.

Sans sustained and aggressive promotional money, Palawan’s word-of-mouth advertising is proving to be a potent weapon, enabling it to move closer to Cebu and Boracay as one of the country’s major tourist destinations.

Relying mainly on its scenic wonders to sell to the world, it gets free advertising—from people’s endorsements and institutions.

A billboard at NAIA Terminal 3 departure area, for example, provides free publicity for Palawan.

“We want to take Palawan to the next level,” says Mitra, who is excited to know that his province is also on the brink of joining Maldives, Dubai and Fiji on the world tourism stage.

When completed in 2013, the multibillion-peso Coral World Park, now being built in Coron, Palawan, will be the world’s biggest integrated undersea resort complex.

“We have the Strategic Environmental Plan that provides framework for the conservation and protection of our environment and sustainable development,” Mitra says.

Kayangan, a mountain lake located in Coron town, is one fine example, having been elevated to Hall of Fame as the country’s cleanest and greenest inland body of water. Barracuda Lake, near Kayangan, is also a Hall of Fame awardee for the cleanest and greenest lake.

A staunch clean-and-green advocate, even from the start of his 12-year term as congressman, Mitra is exerting a concerted effort to preserve Palawan’s natural and cultural heritage.

Worldwide free publicity

Last year, Palawan staged the latest season of popular European adventure show “Les Aventuriers de Koh-Lanta.”

Called the last frontier by renowned French explorer and marine researcher Jacques Cousteau, the 10-episode reality show, shot entirely in El Nido, provided free publicity for Palawan to an estimated eight million viewers in France, Belgium, Switzerland and North Africa.

Prestigious National Geographic Magazine picked Palawan as one of the 20 best destinations in the world this year, its biggest advertising endorsement so far.

The only place in the Philippines to be given the accolade thrilled the youthful Palawan governor no end.

“We are more than excited to see Palawan elevated to world-class status because of sheer word-of-mouth advertising,” Mitra says.

Lack of promotional funding is Mitra’s biggest challenge. But the man who wants to modernize Palawan just like what his father did is undaunted and
doesn’t want to rely on word-of-mouth advertising alone.

He knows Palawan’s potential to become a top world tourism mecca is just waiting to happen.

When more advertising budgets come, Mitra wants to sell Palawan as a natural haven blessed with charm and beauty that make it stand above the rest in accordance with the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) Law and in keeping with the image of Palawan as the country’s last ecological frontier.
When these are available, he believes the impossible can be attained—the Palawan brand becoming the Philippines’ biggest flagship in the tourism front and its biggest money earner.

www.inquirer.net