Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales Provinces [Archive]

death327

May 17th, 2007, 10:16 AM

We went to Pundaquit Beach and Anawangin Beach last month. Pundaquit is quite developed already. On one hand, Anawangin is really pristine... you still need to put tents because there is no resort or any place to stay here.

Btw, Anawangin is just a 45-min banka ride from Pundaquit.

Here are some pics.

Pundaquit

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/P_0001.jpg
Ako Muni Muni

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Capones Island - Pundaquit

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Anawangin

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The Beach Line

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Going to the Swamp

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The Swamp

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Little Green things in Anawangin

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The Beach

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Pine Trees of Anawangin

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Sinjin P.

May 17th, 2007, 10:51 AM

^ My goodness, ang gaganda ng mga photos, parang hindi sa Pilipinas! :drool:

death327

May 17th, 2007, 10:54 AM

^^ sa Zambales lang yan

whippersnapper

May 17th, 2007, 11:17 AM

Magkakaroon din ng maraming establishments sa Olongapo in the future. Pero kahit ganyan sya ngayon, maunlad at sikat na city pa rin sya. :)

ang tagal ng city at highly urbanized pa, hanggang ngayon wla pa ung cnsbi mo

coacozambo92

May 21st, 2007, 06:11 PM

Hello,
Back to Zambales tayo. For me, I am hoping that Zambales will not always be known for beaches and fresh mango producing province but as an industrial zone. Remember Masinloc, the local official there proposed to have an international container port in Culiat, Masinloc and an industrial zone. Deeply I am so disappointed it seems it falls to dreams. Why always Subic and SBMA as the zone for development? We must also give chance to other town, Zambales must have other source of development. POLITICIAN PLEASE!!! Huwag naman po sanang maka sariling bayan, ibahagi naman ninyo.
Also the potential to put a dried mango factory. Why Zambales cannot have such factory? Even your in Ologapo City you will find dried mango chips BUT MADE IN CEBU!!! Why? Zambales is known as Mango producing province and it's their most popular product. Do Zambales cannot or do not want to learn to produce by themselves? Fresh mangoes compared to dried Mango chip is very cheap. In Japan please check the price, compare it, you will learn. We will have good profit in exporting dried mango chips than fresh mangoes. Traders please, huwag naman sanang baratin ang manggang galing Zambales.

xDieselJockx

May 22nd, 2007, 10:17 AM

What language do they speak in this region? Anybody???

coacozambo92

May 22nd, 2007, 05:16 PM

What language do they speak in this region? Anybody???

The Language? Yah.. Zambali (Sambal-Botolan, Sambal-Iba, Sambal-Masinloc, Sambal-Cabanggan), Ilocano, Tagalog, little Pangalatok. Maybe consider also Badjao dialect, there where :ohno: Badjao colony in Zambales. You must understand Mr. Vic Magsaysay bring this people there for additional votes and to improve his image as the Best (Beast) Governor:banana: .

xDieselJockx

May 23rd, 2007, 09:37 AM

The Language? Yah.. Zambali (Sambal-Botolan, Sambal-Iba, Sambal-Masinloc, Sambal-Cabanggan), Ilocano, Tagalog, little Pangalatok. Maybe consider also Badjao dialect, there where :ohno: Badjao colony in Zambales. You must understand Mr. Vic Magsaysay bring this people there for additional votes and to improve his image as the Best (Beast) Governor:banana: .

So, Zambali is the widely spoken dialect/language in this region. How does it sound like? Tagalo based? Ilocano?

Sinjin P.

June 23rd, 2007, 05:40 AM

P653-M Zambales road opened; Arroyo leads inauguration (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2007062396422.html)

By JONAS REYES

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — President Gloria Arroyo was the guest of honor yesterday afternoon at the opening rites for the P653-million Subic-Cawag-Balaybay access road to the shipbuilding complex of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. (HHIC).

The access road is in fulfillment of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) entered into by and between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and HHIC on February 28, 2006.

Under the MoU, the DPWH is tasked to spearhead the undertaking.

The access road, which has a length of 16.15 kilometers, is deemed to help spur the creation of more employment opportunities for residents of Subic, Zambales, and Olongapo City.

"The Subic-Cawag-Balaybay road is an expression of the national government’s commitment to support the investment project of the HHIC that will provide not only easy access to manpower and construction materials for the Hanjin plant but will also serve as an important tool to help alleviate unemployment, particularly in the nearby communities," SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza said.

Funded by the DPWH and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the new road now connects the -billion shipbuilding complex of Hanjin, one of the world’s largest ship builders, to the proposed Zambales Industrial Park and provincial port.

The shipbuilding facility is seen to boost the economy and development of Zambales.

The project consisted of asphalt overlay and widening of the existing 6.1-meter pavement to a nine-meter, two-lane roadway with reinforced concrete pipe culvert, stone masonry and line canal with a length of 7.55 kilometers; construction of 8.426-kilometer concrete road with lined ditch, retaining wall (stone masonry), slope protection (grouted riprap), and cross drainage.

It also includes the construction of three bridges with a length of 100.8 linear meters, 50.8 linear meters, and 20.8 linear meters, and pre-stressed concrete girder resting on bored pile foundation.

Sinjin P.

June 23rd, 2007, 05:40 AM

Road leading to industrial park opens (http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2007062396385.html)

By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT

The P653-million Subic-Cawag-Balaybay road project is now open providing access to Hanjin’s billion ship building facilities in Subic Freeport and to the proposed Zambales Industrial Park and provincial port.

The ceremony was graced by no less than President Gloria Arroyo.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand C. Arreza said the access road, which stretches 16.15 kilometers, will serve as a gateway that will open more employment opportunities for the residents of Subic, Zambales and Olongapo City.

"The Subic-Cawag-Balaybay Road is an expression of the national government’s commitment to support the investment project of the HHIC that will not only help provide easy access for manpower and construction materials for the Hanjin plant but will also serve as an important tool to help alleviate unemployment particularly in the nearby communities," Arreza said.

The access road is the fulfillment of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. (HHIC) in February 2006.

The project was funded by the DPWH and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The shipbuilding facility is seen to boost the economic expansion and development of the whole province of Zambales.

The construction entailed asphalt overlay and widening of the existing 6.1-meter pavement into the nine-meter two-lane roadway with Reinforced Concrete Pipe Culvert, Stone Masonry and Line Canal with a net length of 7.55 kilometer; construction of 8.426-kilometer concrete road with lined ditch, retaining wall (stone masonry), slope protection (grouted riprap) and cross drainage

allan_dude

September 7th, 2007, 12:45 AM

Zambales drafts three-year economic dev’t plan (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW090707/content.php?id=054)

SAN NARCISO, ZAMBALES — The provincial government has drafted a three-year economic development plan that identifies priorities for investments, Zambales Governor Amor Deloso said in the speech he delivered yesterday before 600 cadets of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA).

The plan focuses on priority development thrusts, namely: mining development, retirement village, tourism, agriculture, shipbuilding, infrastructure improvement and the setting-up of a 500-hectare special economic zone to attract foreign direct investments.

Mr. Deloso said an area at Mt. Tapulao is being eyed as a "premier summer [retirement] community" in Central Luzon. Mt. Tapulao, located near the town of Palauig, is known among mountaineers as the "High Peak," towering about 2,000 meters.

He said the provincial government is planning recreation facilities for both local and foreign retirees from neighboring markets like Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.

The second thrust is sustainable mining. Mr. Deloso also said the recent formation of the Zambales Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) is aimed at regulating the mining industry to ensure it is sustainable, by incorporating environmental preservation guidelines. Recently, Mr. Deloso led the shutting-down of five illegal mining operations here. The provincial government has also formed Task Force Kalikasan (TFK) to study the social, economic and environmental impact on communities hosting mining operations.

Mr. Deloso cited data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as showing that Zambales is rich in chromite, particularly in the town of Sta. Cruz; gold is abundant in the towns of Castillejos and San Marcelino; while nickel, manganese and platinum can be found in the towns of Sta. Cruz, Masinloc and Candelaria.

Mr. Deloso also said that a 500-hectare special economic zone will rise at the former San Miguel communication station in San Antonio, Zambales. He said the area would be made available for lease at a much cheaper price compared to nearby industrial estate in Subic Freeport, that could rival a similar site in Vietnam that charges $5 per square lease rates to investors by offering $3/sq.m.

The province is also setting its sights on a 500-hectare jatropha plantation in the town of Botolan, which was hit hard by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

Mr. Deloso has directed Botolan Mayor Roger Yap to build alternative roads along the eastern part of Botolan, particularly in barangay Malumboy where the jatropha plantation project will be built. Mr. Deloso said he expects the plantation to generate 1,500 jobs.

"I am also happy to report that the funding for the construction of the Iba-Tarlac road has already been finalized through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita for the opening of the bypass route connecting Zambales to several other provinces in Central and Northern Luzon," Mr. Deloso said.

He said the road is expected to lessen the burden of businesses operating in the province to transport domestic products such as sweet mangoes, fish and mining products, particularly from the towns of Sta. Cruz and Masinloc. — Reynaldo M. Garcia

lightsaber46

September 7th, 2007, 08:40 AM

$1.38-B investments committed at Subic
THIS AMOUNT IS ONLY FOR FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR BUT IT EXCEEDS FULL-YEAR TARGET OF $1B

By Max V. de Leon
Reporter

FRESH investments committed at the Subic Bay free port reached $1.383 billion in the first half of the year, already exceeding the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s (SBMA) full-year target of $1 billion for 2007.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that of the amount, about $1.366 billion will be poured in by10 companies led by shipbuilder Hanjin of South Korea, which committed to undertake a $684-million expansion of its facility inside the free port.

The second-biggest investment registered in the January to June period is the cogeneration power project of Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. at $431.64 million.

The other huge investments are from KT Global Subic Inc., $127 million; Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), $89 million; Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc., $20 million; Shin Young’s Corp., $5.37 million; Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center Inc., $4.067; Pacific Peal Airways.Com Corp., $2.12 million; Orient Pearl Entertainment & Management Ltd., $1.42 million; and Carag & Cook C4 Solutions Inc., $1.39 million.

The projects of these companies are expected to generate 9,853 fresh jobs.

In the first half of 2006, the SBMA also registered over $1.3 billion in fresh investments, with the bulk again coming from Hanjin with its original $1-billion shipyard project.

Arreza said once the power generation plant project of Redondo Peninsula, a consortium between a Taiwanese firm and the Aboitiz Group, has become operational, the electricity cost in the Subic Bay area will go down to P4.20 per kilowatt-hour from the current P5.

SBITC, Arreza said, will spend the $89 million in building offices and warehouses and setting up cargo handling facilities for its operation of the Subic Bay Container Terminal 1.

Philip Morris will use the $20 million in renovating a 9,000-square meter warehouse that it will use as the temporary Asian logistics center for its leaf tobacco.

KT Global is putting up a condominium complex, while Baypointe is constructing the area’s most modern hospital facility.
Orient Pearl will use its new investment in refurbishing the Subic Diamond Hotel, which will be hosting a casino.

Pacific Pearl will set up an operation that will involve the flying in of casino players by large groups to Subic.
Shin Young is a major supplier of Hanjin.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07092007/economy02.html

lightsaber46

September 7th, 2007, 08:40 AM

Guyzz ano kaya update sa mga project na ito??

schaner

September 10th, 2007, 12:01 PM

I don't really know how to describe the Zambali dialect, but some of the words sound close to Ilocano, while some sound close to Bicol. The written Zambali is quite close to Spanish, where in it doesn't make use of the letter "k" but instead use "c" (although nowadays, this rule isn't much observed by the younger generation.

I don't speak Zambali very well, but I do understand it.

coacozambo92

September 30th, 2007, 06:16 PM

Ayos bungat ison, Anya man ot? Anyay labay mo yo? That's simple sambali-Iba language. But this must be preserve too? The problem now is at the school. They prefer to speak tagalog.. so we are lossing now the future. What a waste. tsk tsk tsk tsk...:ohno:

allan_dude

October 1st, 2007, 03:55 AM

^ Sounds like Bolinao. :)

allan_dude

October 14th, 2007, 10:04 AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/502854401_99507eb693.jpg?v=0
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com by alfcatz (http://flickr.com/photos/alfcatz/)

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Photo courtesy of Flickr.com by ialman (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Flickr.com%20by%20alfcatz)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/556055926_90ddbcb89e.jpg?v=0
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com by lacosta (http://flickr.com/photos/8180531@N03/)

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Photo courtesy of Flickr.com by juvyjuvs (http://flickr.com/photos/juvyjuvs/)
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sugbuanon

November 11th, 2007, 03:04 PM

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9971/1339photojh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

SUBIC AMPELOS TOWER

5-tower Residential Building Complex rising 17-floors facing the Subic Bay.

Location: SBFZ Olongapo City

link: http://arkispecs.com/profile/index.php?cat=ProjectDetails&eid=2822&pid=1339

allan_dude

November 19th, 2007, 02:40 PM

Gov’t expands Subic freeport area

By MA. ELISA P. OSORIO (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=99609)
The Philippine Star

The government has issued an executive order extending the Subic Bay Freeport zone by several hundred hectares to accomodate more foreign investors wanting to locate in the area, Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said.

Favila said he personally followed up the approval of the executive order expanding Subic in order to accommodate more international businesses.

"There is already an executive order. I was the one who personally followed it up with the President," Favila told reporters.

Favila said there is not enough space in Subic anymore as existing locators continue to expand their operations.

The executive order extends the Freeport area beyond the mountains of Olongapo. "It is near Redondo," Favila said.

Businesses within the Freeport zone enjoy fiscal incentives including tax breaks.

With the expansion in place, Favila said what is needed now is enough funds to develop the area in order to attract more locators.

According to Favila, he has already directed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza to use SBMA funds in order to bankroll the construction of infrastructure like roads and bridges.

Favila said SBMA should not wait for the foreigners to build the roads. He noted that because SBMA has enough money given its efficient operation, it should be able to take care of the developments.

"I was telling Armand (Arreza) to see how SBMA itself can take care of the development. It is very liquid so they can tap the fund to develop the roads and the terrain rather than wait for investors to do it for us," Favila said.

"SBMA should develop it because the foreign businessmen are saying they will only enter if there is infrastructure," he added.

Favila said Subic as well as Clark should start being competitive in order to get more foreign investors because countries like Vietnam and Indonesia are also targeting the same businesses.

To be competitive, Favila said the Philippines should improve its infrastructure.

Investments in Subic Bay Freeport Zone has breached the $1-billion mark as of the first nine months of the year as 123 new business locators entered the freeport.

With a full quarter to go, SBMA has already hit the $1.45- billion mark, which is almost a $30-million increase over last year’s total of $1.425 billion.

allan_dude

November 20th, 2007, 03:44 AM

$1-b Masinloc expansion

By Alena Mae S. Flores (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business1_nov19_2007)

AES Philippines, the winning bidder of the 600-megawatt Masinloc coal plant facility, is looking at investing another $1 billion to expand the capacity of the Zambales plant by another 600 MW, a company official said.

“We are intending to expand and double Masinloc’s capacity as soon as we complete the acquisition. We may spend up to another $1 billion,” Matthew Bartley, AES Philippines president and chief executive, told reporters.

Bartley said AES, one of the US’ biggest power industry players, was looking at a “greenfield” or an entirely new power project to meet the growing electricity demand in the Philippines.

He said AES might also participate in the bidding of the generation assets of National Power Corp. set to be auctioned by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

“We are a global company. We invest in whatever makes business sense. We may look at some hydro assets,” Bartley said.

Bartley said the company was focusing on closing the Masinloc plant acquisition. AES won the bidding with a bid of $930 million.

“We are hoping to get all the approvals [from PSALM] on the closing then start construction [of the expansion],” he said.

Bartley said the company hoped to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2008 or earlier.

AES is expected to come up with the 40 percent upfront payment as a pre-condition to the closing of the sale transaction.

Bartley said the company was working with several lending institutions, including International Finance Corp., to partly fund the acquisition.

“We are talking with international lenders, including IFC and several other multilaterals,” the AES official said.

IFC has expressed interest to provide up to $275 million to AES, including a possible equity investment.

AES is also working out a similar financing arrangement with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The total acquisition cost of the Masinloc facility is estimated at approximately $1.1 billion, including funding for the debt service reserve account, transaction costs, refurbishment works and initial working capital needs.

The Masinloc plant is located about 250 kilometers northwest of Metro Manila, covering about 137 hectares, including 11 hectares of reclaimed land.

The power plant was designed and commissioned in 1998 as a two-unit, 600-MW plant. The plant utilizes refined coal from Australia, China, Indonesia and occasionally local coal.

AES is a leading global power developer and operator in the world. It is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The company has 13 regulated utilities and 121 generation facilities, with total generation capacity of around 43,000 MW.

3cr

November 23rd, 2007, 12:48 AM

Study on Subic-Clark-Batangas logistics corridor to start soon
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2007112222

The government’s dream of making the Subic, Clark and Batangas into a logistics corridor with value-added services is getting closer to realization as a strategic study for its development is scheduled to commence shortly.

Meneleo J. Carlos Jr., National Competitiveness Council’s (NCC) private sector champion for seamless infrastructure network working group, said “the Center for Research and Communication is collaborating with the Subic-Clark Alliance Development Corp. (SCADC) on the terms of reference for the development of a logistics master plan.”

This effort is in line with President Arroyo’s vision of establishing a mega logistics hub, particularly in Subic-Clark corridor, to serve the Asia-Pacific region.

In preparation for such development, Carlos cited the need to fast-track the bidding and award of the Batangas International Port and Subic Bay International Port (Terminal 2).

“There is also a need to fast-track the completion of critical infrastructure projects that connect North (Clark and Subic) and South Luzon (Batangas),” he noted.

Carlos, also the chairperson of the Export Development Council-networking committee on transport and logistics, identified these priority projects as the South Luzon Expressway rehabilitation and extension project (SLEX); the Subic-Clark-Tarlac-Expressway project (SCTEP); the North and South rail projects, North-South linkage project; the Southern Tagalog arterial road phase II (STAR 2); and the C5-North Luzon Expressway-SLEX link.

Of these projects, the Subic-Clark portion of the SCTEP is scheduled for completion first quarter of 2008, along with the upgrading of the Subic seaport.

The full implementation of NCC’s proposed Batangas-Clark-Subic logistics corridor has been cited by the International Finance Corp. (IFC) and the World Bank as among the short-medium term reforms in improving the country’s overall ranking in terms of easing doing business, particularly in cross-border trading.

This came despite the fact that the Philippines has posted strong performance in cross-border trading, an indicator that measures the procedural requirements for trading a standard shipment of goods by ocean transport.

Aside from promoting the Subic-Clark-Batangas corridor as logistics hub, the NCC is also keen on further reducing the cost of exporting a 20-foot container to $326 from the present $341.

Carlos said the lower cost could be realized by allowing chassis-container (Cha-Ro) as part of the roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) service; fast-tracking the development of ports along the Central Nautical Highway; and extending by another year the 90-percent discount on wharfage for export-import cargoes.

Ports comprising the Central Nautical Highway include Aroroy, Cawayan, Daangbantayan, Mambajao and Benoni.

“Cha-Ro will allow export-import containers to be transshipped domestically through RO-Ro at a lower cost,” he noted.

The scanning fee for 10-footer container vans will be reduced by 90 percent from $25 to $5 until December 2007 due to the immediate response of the Executive Department to the clamor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Philippine Exporters Confederation.

lightsaber46

December 4th, 2007, 02:48 AM

Modern hospital to rise in Subic

By RANDY V. DATU

IBA, Zambales — A world-class hospital will soon rise at Redondo Peninsula in Subic, this province.

This was revealed last Thursday by Zambales Gov. Amor D. Deloso, who, along with top officials of Korean Eximbank, People and Nature, Medipark Corp., and Hanjin Phils. Shipbuilding Co., recently inked the build-operatetransfer (BOT) .6-million medical facility project contract.

The hospital will be built at the site of the former US military target range some five kilometers away from the huge shipyard complex.

"The proposed twin seven story hospital center called Redondo Ko-Phil Hospital project will not only cater to the medical needs of Hanjin workers and other locators from nearby SBMA but to over 700,000 inhabitants of Zambales who are long deprived of modern medical cure and facilities," Deloso said

"That is why the present provincial leadership had decided to donate 40 hectares for this purpose, hoping that our people could taste or experience some kind of modern medical technology and treatment," he added.

Reports gathered here revealed that no hospital in Zambales is in the "quality" category and that the three district hospitals located in San Marcelino, Candelaria, and Sta. Cruz, including the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba, are way below standards.

"Saan ka nakakita na manganganak lang mamamatay pa?" Deloso asked.

lightsaber46

December 4th, 2007, 04:33 AM

Korean company to undertake $ 22-M tourism project

CLARK FREEPORT—Executives of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) announced yesterday that a Korean firm signed a deal for the construction of a $ 22-million tourism-related project in the economic zone here.

The agreement was signed by CDC President Liberato P. Laus and JB Cresta Corp. President Lim Jang Bin in a simple ceremony held at CDC offices recently.

JB Cresta will establish a housing and leisure town with villas, a clubhouse, a water park and other amenities that are expected to attract not only Korean tourists and expatriates in the country, but also other foreigners and investors frequenting the economic zone.

Laus said the firm has leased a 12.36-hectare area for the construction of a new Korean town complex in the area.

Laus said JB Cresta indicated that some 100 new workers will be hired to complement the full operation of the project that will soon rise.

The Korean firm’s project is the fifth big tourism investment signed during the term of Laus as CDC president.

Among the agreements signed earlier are Morning Calm Leisure Estate which will develop a R48-million multi-national retirement village; and J&K Golf Development Group which will establish a R127.9-million tourism project in Clark. J&K has been operating an international golf school in the Freeport.

Laus also signed an agreement with the New Wellbeing Spa which initially poured in R30 million for a spa project located at the Red Wood Villa clubhouse. At present, the firm is constructing a five-storey building for its hotel project which is expected to be completed early next year.

Laus likewise finalized an agreement with Widus International Leisure Inc. for the establishment of condominium-style hotel and casino and a water theme park (Fred Roxas)

frustratedarchitect

December 4th, 2007, 01:11 PM

Any updates on the Ampelos tower?

whippersnapper

December 4th, 2007, 01:16 PM

Any updates on the Ampelos tower?

under costruction pa rin

lightsaber46

December 6th, 2007, 03:55 AM

China’s Geely eyes Subic assembly plant
By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Geely Group, the largest private car maker in China, is studying the possibility of setting up an assembly plant in Subic Bay for semi-knocked down units for low-cost vehicles.

Geely Philippines president Joycelin Torres Rodriguez said Geely cars were being positioned in the country for the B-C-D income brackets, which comprised 75 percent of the firm’s potential car buyer market.

The company has chosen the Freeport as distribution hub for the vehicles initially imported as fully-built vehicles from China.

The company will bring the cars—priced at P387,000 for the 1.1-liter MR hatchback, and P489,999 for the 1.3-liter CK sedan—duty-free to Subic distribution hub, just like the car imports of mainstream distributors.
Rodriguez said the firm would initially ship about 2,000 units of Geely hatchback and sedan models, through Subic for dealers and customers in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan and Dagupan City in Pangasinan.

The firm plans to eventually open up 12 dealerships in the country, with the main show room to be located in Quezon City.

“Our distribution office, however, will be here in the Subic Bay area,” Rodriguez said during the launching of the China-made automobiles.

The company chose Subic as the hub because of the newly completed container terminal in the Freeport and “easy communications and negotiations.”

lightsaber46

December 10th, 2007, 03:50 AM

Hanjin Heavy opens first phase of $ 1.6-B Subic shipyard operations

http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/12/07/BSNS20071207110796.html

Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corporation yesterday opened for commercial operation the first phase of its $ 1.6 billion shipyard project at Subic’s Redondo Peninsula.

The inauguration was graced by vice-president Noli de Castro.

"Hanjin has been involved in the construction of, among others, highways, airports, and bridges in the Philippines for the last 30 years. That is why Hanjin has a good relationship with our government," De Castro said.

By 2010, Hanjin plans to employ 20,000 people.

Phase 1-1 of the Subic shipyard project involved the completion of key structures within the shipyard that are needed in ship production.

These structures include a dry-dock facility, hull shop buildings, a four-story administration building, a three-story production and design building, field offices, catering center building, and a guest house.

After a brief tour of the hull shop buildings where vice president De Castro took time to talk to Filipino workers, a formal opening ceremony was held in at the Hanjin hillside "guest house" — a modest name for an avant-garde manor inside the shipyard complex, where Hanjin’s European clientele, and, incidentally, government officials, were treated to a banquet and a panoramic view of the Hanjin shipyard complex.

Among those invited to the occasion were South Korean Ambassador Jong Ki Hong, Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan of the SubicClark Area Development Council (SCADC), Trade Undersecretary Elmer Hernandez, Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., Subic, Zambales Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano Salonga, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, and Central Luzon Police Director Errol Pan.

In the same occasion, Hanjin chairman Nam Ho Cho acknowledged "the noble efforts by the Philippine government, especially SBMA Chairman Salonga and SBMA Administrator Arreza, in supporting the company’s business endeavors."

Aside from the Subic facility, Hanjin is investing an additional $ 2 billion for another shipyard in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
For its Subic project, Hanjin had initially earmarked $ 1 billion as capitalization for a world-class shipbuilding facility to produce some of the world’s largest sea vessels, including liguefied natural gas (LNG) supertankers, very large crude carriers (VLCCs), and container ships.

In June this year, Hanjin officials announced that the firm will invest $ 684 million on top of its original commitment to cover costs for several ship orders it has received.

So far, the Subic operation has pending orders for 40 units of cargo vessels including two tankers, each weighing 75,000-100,000 deadweight tons.

lightsaber46

December 17th, 2007, 07:38 AM

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

BPO industry to draft road map to growth

BUSINESS-process outsourcing (BPO) firms will draft a road map that will address the challenges facing the sector them, according to an industry organization.

Oscar R. Sanez, chief executive officer of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), told reporters that call-center firms in the country are coming up with a three-year road map to help the industry achieve its target of having 500,000 agents by 2010 from the current 200,000, and an estimated $8 billion in revenue every year.

“This road map would help us determine how big we can get, or how much opportunity for the country does the BPO industry could give,” he said.

Sanez said BPO firms have identified three major constraints, including the country’s talent pool. “The challenge here is how can we sustain this,” he said.

“The reality is we were able to sustain the growth, but in order to grow beyond our average growth we have to ensure the availability of the call-center agents, supervisors and managers in order to go beyond th[at] phase,” he said.

Sanez said the industry is also pressed to identify new locations across the country as traditional sites become congested. “We are looking at Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, among others, to add more BPO offices,” he said.

Also a challenge is the range of incentives the government offers the industry, he said, adding the group will push for more perks.

Benedict Hernandez, director of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, said the industry projects to have a million seats by 2010, to include knowledge process outsourcing, animation and information technology.

He said the industry needs to invest at least $5000 per agent in the next three years.

In a related development, a new information technology (IT) park will open at the Clark Special Economic Zone and would be available for business-process outsourcing (BPO) companies by end of July, a real property developer announced on Tuesday.

In a statement, Berthaphil Inc. said that the new building that would rise in the 14-hectare IT park would have about 3,000 square meters of office space for BPOs and can be expanded in 500-square-meter increments as the business expands.

The building would have two wings at right angles and each has two 500-square-meter floor areas.

“This provides great flexibility for BPO service providers that need to be prepared to expand operations quickly in response to client demand. We’ve provided a footprint that allows operators to add approximately 60 seats almost on demand, quickly and efficiently,” Peter Herman, an executive at Berthaphil, said.

To complement the new BPO building, the developer would be constructing the 3,000-square-meter Centre at Clark by the third quarter this year. The mixed-use development would include retail, food and entertainment establishments with serviced apartments for executives and dormitories for workers.

Berthaphil, which is developing 15 hectares of the Clark ecozone, previously developed an industrial park which has light manufacturers and semiconductor firms from Japan, Taiwan and the United States as locators.
--Katrina Mennen A. Valdez and Likha C. Cuevas-Miel

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/july/11/yehey/business/20070711bus8.html

lightsaber46

December 20th, 2007, 03:20 AM

New Taiwan investments go to Subic

More Taiwanese investments including Tung Long Metal Industry Co. Ltd. and Medtecs Group. are expected to flow into the Philippines following a wave of "disaffection" among investors in China, whose foreign investment policies are being changed midstream.

Denny Yang, President and CEO of Tung Long, said they are transforming its Subic factory to become its production hub for door locks not just for Asia but also for North America.

The expansion program is expected to cost Tung Lung $ 10 million more in investments for the Subic facility.

By end of the year, Yang said the production capacity of its Subic plant is expected to hit 1 million pieces of door locks from the current 300,000 pieces, which mostly goes to the U.S. market.

"We are quite positive we will be able to reach that target," Yang added. With the expansion, the Philippines is now Tung Long’s biggest manufacturing plant outside of Taiwan.

The expansion will also necessitate the hiring of more workers from the present 500 people and the leasing of 3-hectare lot in Subic for its new factory on top of its existing 2 hectare factory.

The expansion is going to vertically integrate its existing operations as most of its suppliers would be following them in Subic Bay Industrial Park, a Taiwanese-owned industrial park.

Their suppliers, Yang said, would also be investing in Subic.

Medtecs spokesperson Timothy Shen said its Philippine operation is expected to play a more important role in the company, which is the biggest supplier of medical apparels in the U.S.

Shen said they expect the Philippines to increase its share of the total revenues from 40 percent to 45 percent. Its Bataan plant exports most its products to the U.S., which in turn represents 75 percent to 80 percent of its total business.

The company has already integrated all its operations in Bataan now to save on energy cost.

Shen said the company expects total revenue earnings of $ 120 million to $ 125 million next year from this year’s projection of between $ 100 million to $ 110 million.

Medtecs is also expanding into the services sector by leasing out linens and providing laundry services to the hospitality sector including hotels and hospitals. At present, this division accounts for 10 percent of its total business but has great potential.

allan_dude

January 9th, 2008, 05:30 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/43/Ph_seal_nueva_ecija.png

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1200/657318658_f1f6a9a379_s.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/637180251_b898f1eb65_s.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1417/637179865_5a3bf48c70_s.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/1929769934_393bb39234_s.jpg

Nueva Ecija is the largest province and the biggest rice producer of Central Luzon, thus, often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.” Its capital is Palayan City. Nueva Ecija borders, from the south clockwise, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurora.

Among its main attractions is the Pantabangan River, the country’s first multi-purpose infrastructure, which stands today as a phenomenon in Filipino engineering feats. Another is the Pampanga river, cutting across a rich valley floor, famed for irrigation, the generation of hydroelectric power, and the mitigation of flood damage.

Nueva Ecija is also the agri-tourism pilot site in Central Luzon due to the presence of the Central Luzon State University in the province.

Its other worthwhile attractions include the Minalungao National Park, Rizal Hot Spring, Burburayok Springs and Pajanutic Falls, Barrio Puncan in the town of Carranglan, among others.

HISTORY

In 1705, Spanish Governor General Fausto Cruzar created the province and named it Nueva Ecija after his hometown Ecija in Seville, Spain.

In 1818, Nueva Ecija annexed a long strip of territory facing the Pacific Ocean in the east that extended from Palawan (now in Isabela) in the north to Infanta in Tayabas (now Quezon) in the south. In 1848, it acquired the towns of Gapan, San Isidro, Cabiao. San Antonio and Casiguran were separated from Nueva Ecija and annexed to Tayabas. Palanan was transferred first to Nueva Ecija then to Isabela. With the subsequent separation of Infanta and Polilio Island, Nueva Ecija’s isolation from the sea became complete.

Nueva Ecija was one of the first eight provinces that took up arms against Spanish rule in 1896. During the Filipino-American War, General Emilio Aguinaldo retreated to the province and, on May 9, 1899, made Cabanatuan the temporary seat of his government until it was moved to Bamban, Tarlac. General Antonio Luna was killed on June 5, 1899 in the convent of the town’s church.

American forces, after occupying Nueva Ecija in 1899, established the provincial seat of government in San Isidro. Other provincial capitals had been Baler (now in Aurora), Bongabon, and Cabanatuan. On June 19,1965, Republic Act No. 4475 created the city of Palayan as the new capital.

GEOGRAPHY

The province is the largest in Central Luzon. Its terrain begins with the southwestern marshes near the Pampanga border. It levels off and then gradually increases in elevation to rolling hills as it approaches the mountains of Sierra Madre in the east, and the Caraballo and Cordillera ranges in the north.

POPULATION

According to the NCSO, Nueva Ecija has a population of 1,310,829 of which 13.16% are concentrated in Cabanatuan City. The rural population totals 799,280 while the urban population is 511,549.
Tagalog is predominantly spoken by the Novo Ecijanos, comprising 67.7%, followed by the Ilocano dialect at 29.93%. Other dialects are Pampango, Pangasinan, Bicol, and Ilonggo.

ECONOMY

Nueva Ecija is one of the top producers of agricultural goods in the country. Its principal crops are rice, corn, and onion. The province is often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.” Other major crops are mango, banana, eggplant, and garlic.

Fishponds are unevenly distributed throughout the province but the largest concentrations are in San Antonio, Sta. Rosa, and Cuyapo.

Several areas have mineral deposits. Copper and manganese have been found in Gen. Tinio, Carranglan, and Patabangan. The upper reaches of Carranglan and Palyan are said to contain gold.

Map:

http://www.globalpinoy.com/images/newtravel/maps/necija_map_bg.jpg

Cities
Cabanatuan City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabanatuan_City)
Gapan City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gapan_City)
Palayan City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palayan_City)
San Jose City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_City%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Science City of Muñoz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_City_of_Mu%C3%B1oz)Municipalities
Aliaga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliaga%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Bongabon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bongabon%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Cabiao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabiao%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Carranglan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carranglan%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Cuyapo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyapo%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Gabaldon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabaldon%2C_Nueva_Ecija) (Bitulok & Sabani)
General Mamerto Natividad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mamerto_Natividad%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
General Tinio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Tinio%2C_Nueva_Ecija) (Papaya)
Guimba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guimba%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Jaén (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaen%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Laur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laur%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Licab (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licab%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Llanera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanera%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Lupao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupao%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Nampicuan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nampicuan%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Pantabangan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantabangan%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Peñaranda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pe%C3%B1aranda%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Quezon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quezon%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Rizal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
San Antonio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
San Isidro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Isidro%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
San Leonardo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Leonardo%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Santa Rosa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Rosa%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Santo Domingo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Domingo%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Talavera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talavera%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Talugtug (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talugtug%2C_Nueva_Ecija)
Zaragoza (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaragoza%2C_Nueva_Ecija)Text source: wikipedia, DOT

ABOVE: Photo credits (L-R)
Flickr.com photos by Shubert Ciencia (http://flickr.com/people/bigberto/), DOT Region III (http://flickr.com/photos/tiotuico/) & jaydigital (http://flickr.com/photos/jaydigital/)

Flickr Finds
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2116105052_cbaf44fb5e.jpg?v=0
Cabanatuan
Flickr photo by R. Refran (http://flickr.com/photos/reyrefran/2116105052/in/set-72157603472363012/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1119/637179469_ab8959bbf8.jpg?v=0
Pantabangan Dam
Flickr photo by DOT Region III (http://flickr.com/photos/tiotuico/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1137/637179411_009eb076c1.jpg?v=0
Nueva Ecija Sports Complex
Flickr photo by DOT Region III (http://flickr.com/photos/tiotuico/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1028/637179999_8a732ee70a.jpg?v=0
NE Pacific Mall
Flickr photo by DOT Region III (http://flickr.com/photos/tiotuico/)

Sprawling over a 5-hectare prime property along Maharlika Highway in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, NE Pacific Mall is the first fully-integrated shopping center to rise in the central plains of Luzon.

NE Pacific Mall boasts of a combination of the finest elements of Metro Manila's bustling commercial hubs: a warehouse supermarket, a department store, mall shops, a family amusement center, a sit-down fastfood center, over 250 cluster stalls, state of the art cinemas, and a Brunswick-megged, 14-lane fully-computerized bowling center. (LANDCO (http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/gallery.shtml))

http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/1.jpg (http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/full1.jpg) http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/2.jpg (http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/full2.jpg) http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/3.jpg (http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/full3.jpg) http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/4.jpg (http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/full4.jpg) http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/5.jpg (http://www.landcopacific.com/projects/nepacific/full5.jpg)
Click image to enlarge

tracymack

January 10th, 2008, 05:09 AM

Nice one allan_dude. Do we have something like this in the Pangasinan thread? I didn't know NE Pacific sits on just a 5 hectare lot. The SM Supercenter Rosales lot is 9 hectares, SM City Urdaneta at 15 hectares & SM City Dagupan at 14 hectares. The NE Pacific Mall at 5 hectares is already huge.

tracymack

January 10th, 2008, 05:43 AM

Is the traffic along Maharlika Highway bad? Judging from the pic, it only has two lanes. MacArthur Highway in Urdaneta City is also two-lane but a lot of motorists treat it like a four-lane road. :lol: That's how bad traffic is back home. That is why it is being widened into four lanes (which motorists can then treat as six lanes :lol:). Because of road widening activities, traffic has become even worse.:nuts: I wonder if Cabanatuan City is experiencing the same thing. I guess officials did not expect Urdaneta to grow at a very fast pace.

allan_dude

January 10th, 2008, 08:03 PM

^^ None. Maybe we could request our moderators to help us add a "thread starter" in our local thread. :)

Traffic situation in Cabanatuan is pretty bad. One time we were on our way to San Jose and were caught in a traffic jam, It took us almost an hour just to cross the city. :ohno:

This province is very unrepresented here in SSC considering it has five cities, it is the center for agri-business and agri-technology in the Phil, and is a part of the "Billionaires Club" in terms of IRA. Anyone from Nueva Ecija? Please post away here! :)

tracymack

January 10th, 2008, 10:06 PM

^^ None. Maybe we could request our moderators to help us add a "thread starter" in our local thread. :)

That's a good idea! :okay:

Traffic situation in Cabanatuan is pretty bad. One time we were on our way to San Jose and were caught in a traffic jam, It took us almost an hour just to cross the city. :ohno:

Worse than Urdaneta? So Maharlika Highway has only two lanes?

This province is very unrepresented here in SSC considering it has five cities, it is the center for agri-business and agri-technology in the Phil, and is a part of the "Billionaires Club" in terms of IRA. Anyone from Nueva Ecija? Please post away here!:)

Yeah. Start posting people!:wave:

r93k401

January 11th, 2008, 08:13 AM

Hot springs in Rizal, Nueva Ecija. Where is that.... I grew up in Rizal when I was in elementary but my family moved out when I was in high school.. never knew there is one there..

allan_dude

January 11th, 2008, 05:15 PM

Worse than Urdaneta? So Maharlika Highway has only two lanes? Hmm I haven't experienced the infamous Urdaneta traffic. Maharlika is like MacArthur Highway, at one part there are two lanes each per direction.

allan_dude

January 11th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Cabanatuan City
Courtesy of Nueva Ecija Journal (http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/)
Digital photos by Ramon R. Valmonte

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour01.JPG
Cabanatuan City Central Transport Terminal

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour08.JPG
Part of Maharlika Road fronting the National Food Authority Compound

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour02.JPG
Primavera townhouses

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour03.JPG
Lakewood City

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour09.JPG
Maria Assumpta Seminary

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour04.JPG
NE Pacific Mall

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour23.JPG
Megacenter

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour14.JPG
NE Mall

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour16.JPG
Dr. Jose Rizal's monument

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour20.JPG
Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour18.JPG
Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Medical and Research Center,

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour13.JPG
Nueva Ecija Doctors Hospital

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour15.JPG
Iglesia ni Cristo Cathedral.

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour05.JPG

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour06.JPG

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour07.JPG

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour10.JPG
Wesleyan University-Philippine

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour22.JPG
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour19.JPG
Nueva Ecija National High School

http://www2.mozcom.com/%7Evalmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour17.JPG
College of the Immaculate Conception High School Department

barrera_marquez

January 12th, 2008, 01:22 PM

Palayan City as we know is a sleepy city. People even argue if it is really a city but do we have a city seal for Palayan City? I have never seen one. Thanks.

tracymack

January 13th, 2008, 04:37 AM

Hmm I haven't experienced the infamous Urdaneta traffic. Maharlika is like MacArthur Highway, at one part there are two lanes each per direction.

I see. Thanks for the info allan_dude. Hope you don't get to experience THE traffic. :)

bariQ

January 13th, 2008, 05:07 AM

wow may NE thread na pala :D

may town ba na baloc sa NE?

tracymack

January 13th, 2008, 05:27 AM

Palayan City as we know is a sleepy city. People even argue if it is really a city but do we have a city seal for Palayan City? I have never seen one. Thanks.

Really? It's the capital of NE right? I guess Palayan shares the same thing with Trece Martirez City, the capital of Cavite. It's more like a town and the reason people flock this city is that it's home to provincial government offices. There's nothing wrong with it though. Maybe government officials prefer a more laid back environment. :)

barrera_marquez

January 13th, 2008, 11:48 AM

Really? It's the capital of NE right? I guess Palayan shares the same thing with Trece Martirez City, the capital of Cavite. It's more like a town and the reason people flock this city is that it's home to provincial government offices. There's nothing wrong with it though. Maybe government officials prefer a more laid back environment. :)

Yes. I am searching for it via the Internet and nothing showed. I was searching for almost an hour. Palayan City is very far and returning to one of my hometowns just to get one is a waste of money. Hey, the fare to Palayan City is almost P200 one way! Sometimes buses even refuse to to go there. You know the Cabanatuan Central Terminal, all buses converge there but if you're going to Palayan City, you must take a jeep which charges you P17 to go there. I only know one bus company that has the courage to go there- 5 Star. That is why I seldom go to Nueva Ecija because not of the distance but because there are not many buses plying there. Just like a ghost town- call it "Palayanphobia."

It just goes only like this: Palayan City is the brain since the government of the province is in that city but the heart of Nueva Ecija is in Cabanatuan City since the city generates most of the income for the province. Once Cabanatuan City stops, the entire Nueva Ecija including Palayan City will be doomed.

With the comparison to Trece Martirez City, the situation in Palayan City is worse. We have only 30,000 people living here. Search for Palayan City in Google Earth and you will not see buildings but farms instead. I am not against Palayan City's cityhood but I do not want any more Palayan Cities again.

tracymack

January 14th, 2008, 03:46 AM

barrera_marquez

January 14th, 2008, 12:46 PM

^^ I hear you. I'm not sure what the requirements are for a town to be eligible to be upgraded to a city but I personally think this should be revisited. A lot of so called "cities" have be popping up all over the place but if you visit these places you might end up wondering how they got to city status. I would think that population, income, infrastructure, employment opportunities, presence of educational institutions & commercial establishments.. I can go on but these definitely are and should be taken into consideration. Is the status quo for qualifying towns too low? Maybe the bar needs to be raised.

As for Palayan City, maybe officials saw that it had potential of some sort that's why they opted to have it as NE's capital. :) I don't know for sure because I've never been there.

There are only a few things that are needed to develop this into a real city. Meaning, they should these things to boost development.

Government Service- are there enough police stations for the city? Are there fire stations and hospitals for the city? If there are not, my goodness! How does this place become a city without all those things? Don't expect development, they will really never come without those.
Infrastructure- all buses and almost all roads in Nueva Ecija lead to Cabanatuan City, not Palayan City, they should invest more here. I remember my journey there- it will not just cost me almost P200 but also four hours from San Fernando City alone! Build a good road network from Palayan City to other cities/municipalities in Nueva Ecija.
Reduce agricultural zoning- the fact that a city should be in a high population, the city's agricultural zoning could be reduced. Why? There are many farms there! Not houses, not buildings, not everything, just plain farms or if your lucky, a good road but some roads within the city in poor condition. Look at the picture of the Nueva Ecija capitol building in Palayan City, it doesn't have buildings nearby! Increase residential, industrial and commercial zoning here! This situation is worse than Santa Cruz, Laguna actually folks!
Communications- do I have anything more to say? The communications are better in Cabanatuan City, not Palayan City.

If those conditions were not met, better transfer the Nueva Ecija capitol from Palayan City to Cabanatuan City! Cabanatuan City looks more like the capital city of Nueva Ecija!

tracymack

January 14th, 2008, 01:07 PM

^^ I'm sorry you feel that way about Palayan. I hope things (development-wise) get better soon. :)

barrera_marquez

January 14th, 2008, 01:31 PM

^^ I'm sorry you feel that way about Palayan. I hope things (development-wise) get better soon. :)

Too bad it is my hometown. How come my hometown became like that? Even Kalibo is better, Kalibo looks like a city now but still a municipality. But this thing, a "city" but looks more like a village, not even a municipality. My God! Can't the development be done right here? Even Gapan City and Munoz City is better and yet they only became cities during the years 2000-2001, classified as Nueva Ecija's newest cities.

Anyway, I heard a road is going to be constructed here in Nueva Ecija to Aurora. If you can make it an expressway and then make it pass on to Palayan City, then the development can begin there. Remember, the people are aware that this is the Nueva Ecija capital and that might kick-start development.

Now I know why Palayan City is called Palayan City- it is a "city" full of palayans (rice fields).

Hey wait, Palayan City is created as a city in 1965. What does Palayan City look then? I'll bet it's worse.

Tracymark, during year 2000-2001, I am not sure, the bars for cityhood requirements have been raised already but those "cities" managed to be cities because of grant of exemptions for the requirements. This is the problem of Ilagan, Isabela which has failed cityhood because of plebiscite in 1998. They cannot meet the P100M income requirement. But Kalibo, a municipality that looks like a city has undergone several plebiscites for cityhood but I guess the people of Kalibo didn't want to pay higher taxes so they always decline it.

tracymack

January 15th, 2008, 10:40 AM

^^ Exemptions? Really? That's twisted. Totally unfair. Why award cityhood status to undeserving towns? IMO, cityhood has to be earned.

By the way, it's tracymack. :D

tracymack

January 15th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Tracymark, during year 2000-2001, I am not sure, the bars for cityhood requirements have been raised already but those "cities" managed to be cities because of grant of exemptions for the requirements. This is the problem of Ilagan, Isabela which has failed cityhood because of plebiscite in 1998. They cannot meet the P100M income requirement. But Kalibo, a municipality that looks like a city has undergone several plebiscites for cityhood but I guess the people of Kalibo didn't want to pay higher taxes so they always decline it.

That is one thing that has to be considered. The income classification of residents. Officials need to be certain their residents can indeed afford city life before pushing for cityhood.

barrera_marquez

January 15th, 2008, 11:26 AM

That is one thing that has to be considered. The income classification of residents. Officials need to be certain their residents can indeed afford city life before pushing for cityhood.

Not really, one thing needed here is the income of the municipality. If the municipal income is high enough, then there won't be any tax increases when it becomes a city. Right?

Exemptions? Really? That's twisted. Totally unfair. Why award cityhood status to undeserving towns? IMO, cityhood has to be earned.

Check out the Why there are so many "cities" thread, the debate there about those so-called "cities" is doing well. I suggest you to check it out to see it.

If you want to see those pesky exemptions, take a load of this:
http://city-ph.com/news/city-mayors-launch-campaign-vs-bets-behind-cityhood-bills-inquirernet-philippine-news-for-filipinos

Thanks for correction, tracymack.

tracymack

January 15th, 2008, 03:00 PM

Not really, one thing needed here is the income of the municipality. If the municipal income is high enough, then there won't be any tax increases when it becomes a city. Right?

I agree but when things get tight finance-wise for the new city, it's the residents that get impacted the most.

tracymack

January 15th, 2008, 03:13 PM

Check out the Why there are so many "cities" thread, the debate there about those so-called "cities" is doing well. I suggest you to check it out to see it.

If you want to see those pesky exemptions, take a load of this:
http://city-ph.com/news/city-mayors-launch-campaign-vs-bets-behind-cityhood-bills-inquirernet-philippine-news-for-filipinos

Nice find barrera_marquez! This is an excerpt from the link: “We do not oppose the creation of more cities but we should not create new ones if the government cannot afford to support them,”. I say no more exemptions. Municipalities should work hard to earn their cityhood. Sometimes some towns are just not meant to be cities. There should be a balance of urban & rural communities. Officials should not force the issue of cityhood. Gaining cityhood does not necessarily mean improved quality of life for the residents.

I think we should move this discussion to the existing thread to give way to NE posts. :)

Colonel Burger

January 17th, 2008, 08:42 AM

Guys, do you know what is the height of the white cross in Mr. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

The last time that I was there was when I was just 12 years old. We climbed the cross using the stiars and it was pretty though climb.

would the structure reach 20 stories high?

Colonel Burger

January 17th, 2008, 08:45 AM

Ok.... i googled it. the structure is 92 meters high 311 ft. (so its around 25-30 stories high from my estimate)

would this make it the tallest monument in the Philippines? are there any monument as tall as this in the Philippines?

Colonel Burger

January 17th, 2008, 08:47 AM

The image was taken from http://bp0.blogger.com/_JjCu_PpH8dY/RcAUI6l7bcI/AAAAAAAAAcU/gZt4NvbJBc4/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG

http://bp0.blogger.com/_JjCu_PpH8dY/RcAUI6l7bcI/AAAAAAAAAcU/gZt4NvbJBc4/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG

Colonel Burger

January 17th, 2008, 08:49 AM

http://bp3.blogger.com/_JjCu_PpH8dY/RcARmql7bBI/AAAAAAAAAY8/kdpGpVPd8Iw/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG

barrera_marquez

January 23rd, 2008, 01:09 PM

Since I am really concerned to the condition of Nueva Ecija's capital. I want to see your opinions about the issue if Nueva Ecija's capital should remain in Palayan City or should be transferred back to Cabanatuan City?

Comments, obviously are very welcome. Let your voice be heard!

GearX

January 24th, 2008, 03:12 AM

Let it be to have 2 capitals.

Palayan - Government & Institution Capital
Cabanatuan - Commercial Capital & Business center

:cheers:

Colonel Burger

January 24th, 2008, 03:40 AM

A capital should not necessarily be the center of commerce and industry. Take for example the capital city of Australia, Canberra, the commonwealth government is housed there, but the center of commerce, trade, etc. etc. is Sydney and Melbourne

barrera_marquez

January 24th, 2008, 11:26 AM

A capital should not necessarily be the center of commerce and industry. Take for example the capital city of Australia, Canberaa, the commonwealth government is housed there, but the center of commerce, trade, etc. etc. is Sydney and Melbourne

The fact that Cabanatuan City is the former capital of Nueva Ecija is not yet been removed to the hearts of many Nueva Ecijanos until this day. Canberra actually is a great city. The same case goes for the Philippines, Manila is not the center of trade and commerce but Quezon City and Makati City.

The biggest problem of Palayan City is lack of development. We can degrade Palayan City but before that, we better transfer Nueva Ecija's capital to Cabanatuan City. Even my colleagues mistake the province's capital- they said Cabanatuan City. It looks like more the capital of Nueva Ecija.

Waldenstrom

January 24th, 2008, 12:32 PM

There is a similar situation in Cavite. Bacoor-Imus-Dasma are the most urbanized but the seat of government is Trece Martirez City (which is less urbanized).

barrera_marquez

January 24th, 2008, 01:05 PM

Hey, I like GearX's recommendation, why don't we put two stars in one province? At least, it is the only province in the Philippines that has two stars enclosed in a circle if realized (the stars enclosed in a circle is a famous legend for maps).

barrera_marquez

January 24th, 2008, 01:06 PM

There is a similar situation in Cavite. Bacoor-Imus-Dasma are the most urbanized but the seat of government is Trece Martirez City (which is less urbanized).

If it does, then how come Bacoor, Imus and Dasmarinas didn't become cities? You mean Palayan 2?

Waldenstrom

January 24th, 2008, 08:12 PM

a s i a n a

January 24th, 2008, 09:11 PM

Anywhere as long as there is a seat of government.

Colonel Burger

January 25th, 2008, 04:04 AM

^^ Bacoor-Imus-Dasma are qualified to be cities but people are not pushing for it due to many reasons. Trece Martirez City has still some agricultural lands but most of them were already converted to subdivions and industrial estates.

How did Palayan became a city & capital of the province?

Palayan Became a city because it was created as planned city just like Trece Martires in Cavite, Quezon City, Baguio, Samal and Manila.

The Capital of a province need not be urbanized or be the center of trade, commerce, industry.

If the Capitol is located in a locality, then that place is the capital because the provincial Government is located there. That is why they are moving the Provincial Capitol of Rizal in Antipolo because Antipolo is now the capital of Rizal.

So if the capitol is in Palayan, then that is the capital and it should remain there for many reasons, mostly Financial reasons.

barrera_marquez

January 25th, 2008, 12:50 PM

Palayan Became a city because it was created as planned city just like Trece Martires in Cavite, Quezon City, Baguio, Samal and Manila.

The Capital of a province need not be urbanized or be the center of trade, commerce, industry.

If the Capitol is located in a locality, then that place is the capital because the provincial Government is located there. That is why they are moving the Provincial Capitol of Rizal in Antipolo because Antipolo is now the capital of Rizal.

So if the capitol is in Palayan, then that is the capital and it should remain there for many reasons, mostly Financial reasons.

There is a provincial capitol of Nueva Ecija in Cabanatuan City. Proof? Here:
http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour21.JPG

The old Nueva Ecija capitol. Hope that several government institutions of Nueva Ecija be transferred in Cabanatuan City. At least the institutions concerned with financial and commerce. They are much needed there and also to prevent Cabanatuan City from being independent if it does became a highly-urbanized city (it did a few years ago but was later returned to Component status).

What Palayan City lacks, in fact are police stations, fire stations (I never saw any!), hospitals and even markets! How can you ensure that we could develop Palayan City? It is one of the reasons why transferred to Cabanatuan City.

But in fairness, Palayan City is my hometown and I cannot remove that, and it is a good place for people who wants to live in a peaceful and a quiet environment.

But, why not absorb Palayan City to Cabanatuan City? Actually, I oppose this. Nueva Ecija's capital has been there for a long time. Not a good time to lose a city actually even if it looks like a municipality.

But why not let Nueva Ecija have two stars (literally, having two capitals), I think that two heads are better than one.

Anyway, is there somebody who has a seal of Palayan City? I saw it in their welcome arch but I never saw a digital version of it. I will put it in Wikipedia, only the flag is there, no city seals. Please upload it here, thanks!

Mond87

January 26th, 2008, 09:15 AM

are there any photos of both cities? mejo naintriga kasi ako sa Cabanatuan... lagi kasing namemention sa Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo saka Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo... heheh... wala lang

kevinb

January 26th, 2008, 11:12 AM

Let it be to have 2 capitals.

Palayan - Government & Institution Capital
Cabanatuan - Commercial Capital & Business center

:cheers:

Let it be this way. CamSur is like that, must I say. Pili as capital and Naga as commercial center.

If it does, then how come Bacoor, Imus and Dasmarinas didn't become cities? You mean Palayan 2?

The three towns are very qualified. In fact much more qualified than any fifth or fourth class city. Residents just don't want their towns be converted to cities because of taxes that will increase. Well it's just one of the reasons, but it's the single-most important reason to people living in Imus, Bacoor and Dasma.

-----

@barrera_marquez: Why the interest in this topic if you're from Pampanga? I sense a big importance of this to you. I'm just curious. :)

barrera_marquez

January 26th, 2008, 11:55 AM

Let it be this way. CamSur is like that, must I say. Pili as capital and Naga as commercial center.

The three towns are very qualified. In fact much more qualified than any fifth or fourth class city. Residents just don't want their towns be converted to cities because of taxes that will increase. Well it's just one of the reasons, but it's the single-most important reason to people living in Imus, Bacoor and Dasma.

-----

@barrera_marquez: Why the interest in this topic if you're from Pampanga? I sense a big importance of this to you. I'm just curious. :)

It is my grandmother's hometown. I take my pity on her since when she is still from Palayan City (specifically from Barangay Santolan), imagine going to the capitol just to go to Cabanatuan City. She used to board passenger jeeps which doesn't even bother to take her. Not to mention the expensive fare of it (P17). A few weeks ago her temper ran out and she immediately transferred to Cabanatuan City when she bought a house there.

Obviously if you're a senior citizen, having the capitol near you is a great help.

barrera_marquez

January 26th, 2008, 12:19 PM

are there any photos of both cities? mejo naintriga kasi ako sa Cabanatuan... lagi kasing namemention sa Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo saka Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo... heheh... wala lang

Your request will be granted:

Cabanatuan City
Mayor: Alvin Pangilinan Vergara

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bc/Cabanatuan_City_Seal.PNG/100px-Cabanatuan_City_Seal.PNG

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour01.JPG
Cabanatuan City Central Terminal

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour08.JPG
Maharlika Highway

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour02.JPG
Primavera Houses

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour03.JPG
Lakewood City

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour09.JPG
Maria Assumpta Seminary

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour04.JPG
NE Pacific Mall

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour23.JPG
Megacenter

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour14.JPG
NE Mall

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour07.JPG
McDonald's

http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour24.JPG
Cabanatuan City Public Market

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1a/Cabanatuan_prison_camp.JPG/250px-Cabanatuan_prison_camp.JPG
Cabanatuan City Prison Camp

Palayan City
Mayor: Romeo Capinpin, Jr.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/26/Palayan_City_Seal.PNG/100px-Palayan_City_Seal.PNG

http://www2.mozcom.com/~mic55/kapitolyo/kapitolyo01.jpg
Nueva Ecija capitol

http://www2.mozcom.com/~mic55/kapitolyo/kapitolyo33.jpg
Palayan City hills. Taken from the rooftop of the provincial capitol.

Actually, there are only a few pictures of Palayan City in the internet. Sorry, but going personally there is not a joke, it takes full three hours from San Fernando City or four hours from Manila! Image going there and you spend P400+ back-to-back just to take pictures.

Mond87

January 26th, 2008, 01:05 PM

wow... u took all those pics? wow... nice effort...

barrera_marquez

January 26th, 2008, 02:51 PM

wow... u took all those pics? wow... nice effort...

No, just got it from a website:

Cabanatuan City Pictures:
http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/

Palayan City Pictures:
http://www2.mozcom.com/~mic55/kapitolyo/index.html

Credits go to:
Mr. Ramon R. Valmonte

Mond87

January 26th, 2008, 03:12 PM

barrera_marquez

January 26th, 2008, 03:45 PM

honestly, im sorry if i voted for palayan... i actually don't know much about the two cities and the province. but as of my observation, parang matagal na kasing capital ang palayan. changing it back to cabanatuan will really take a long process and myt cost lots of money pa... my advice is this: just improve palayan city... i think it will be of more benefit to palayan and the whole province if it does so... tsaka pag dumami na ang mga businesses sa cabanatuan, tiyak na wala nang lugar yung ciudad na yun for gov't offices. kaya nga siguro linipat sa palayan to make room for commerce. it's the same thing as in Cam Sur, Legazpi city (the city hall is located in Albay District, w/c is not the business center of the city), United States, Brazil, etc... I guess, transportation must also be improved coz from what i see, it's only the transpo yung pinoproblema...yun lang ang masasabi ko...

Siguro nga hindi mo alam kung gaano kalala ang problema ng Palayan City. I can't blame you. Pero iniimbitahan kita na pasyalan ang Palayan City. At saka isa pa, bundukin iyong Palayan City at talagang walang business na magtatangkang mag-invest doon hanggang walang magandang reason. Hindi siya kulang sa tao, marami ngang may gustong magkaroon ng matinong business doon. Pero partida naman, may magandang hotel ang Palayan City. I will still call it our own Palayan City, hindi ko mai-aalis na doon ipinanganak ang lola ko kahit anong mangyari.

Isa pa, may malaking sementeryo sa Palayan City, kasinlaki ng sementeryo sa mga probinsya na ubod ng tao. Katabi ng Barangay Santolan ang sementeryong ito.

Pero may malaking lupa sa paanan ng bundok na zoned for agro-industrial. Sana ma-develop ang Palayan City para mag-ala Baguio City ito. May potential ang Palayan City sa totoo lang pero maraming political issues lang.

Kung made-develop ang Palayan City, baka maisipan ko pang magtayo ng business doon. Kung made-develop lang.

Hindi naman dapat lahat ng opisina ng gobyerno ng probinsya ng Nueva Ecija ay ililipat. Yung mga may kinalalaman lang sa pinansyal at komersyo. Sa Palayan City na lang si Governor Umali at ang iba pang basic services. Mas kailangan sila roon, wala nga akong nakitang police, fire stations at medical clinics/hospital doon.

Pero siguro tama ka, sorry rin sa pagboto sa Cabanatuan City. Dapat dalawa na lang silang maging capital ng Nueva Ecija pero problema ang communications kung magkakaganon. Tanging Cabanatuan City lang ang may broadband internet, wala ang Palayan City pero kailangan pa rin nila ng direct communications. Pati nga yata telepono problema pa sa Palayan City pati cellphone signal. Walang communications sa Palayan City, kailangang makabitan ang Palayan City ng communications bago ito mag-develop.

icarusrising

January 27th, 2008, 05:01 AM

Carabao may be key to biofuel, says scientist

By Anselmo Roque
Central Luzon Desk
First Posted 23:02:00 01/26/2008
The Philippine Daily Inquirer

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ -- Don’t look now but the lowly carabao might yet hold the key to the commercial production of biofuel in the country.

The carabao, says a returning Filipino-American scientist, provides the model as well as the “mother liquor,” for the conversion of rice stubble and straw to ethanol, an alternative to crude oil-based fuels.

“The carabao is a paradigm in converting lignocellulose to ethanol,” said Dr. Fiorello Abenes, a professor emeritus of animal and veterinary sciences at CalPoly Pomona University in California.

“It has rumen fluid whose organisms can help transform rice stubble and straw and other biomass into bioethanol,” he said.

Bioethanol is a light alcohol produced by fermenting sugarcane, corn, cassava and nipa. It is one of the types of biofuel mandated for mixture with diesel and gasoline under the Biofuels Act.

The theoretical basis for this, which Abenes discussed in a lecture at the Institute of Graduate Studies at the Central Luzon State University here, was validated by experiments conducted at the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).

“The experiments confirmed the ability of the model to produce ethanol using rumen microorganisms as first stage fermenters, followed by yeasts in the final fermenting stage,” he said.

Abenes, who obtained his doctoral degree in animal science at the University of Connecticut in 1975, worked for many years as regional swine specialist in Alberta, Canada, and at the Dairy Training and Research Institute of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations before moving to CalPoly Pomona University.

He retired at 55 years old in that university in 2005 and is now engaged in various private enterprises in the United States.

Abenes graduated with the degree of agricultural education, cum laude, from the CLSU in 1969. He was among the first Filipinos staying abroad who responded to the government’s Balik-Scientist program in 1975.

“We can extract the rumen fluid from carabao and multiply them many times for commercial production of ethanol from biomass,” he told the Inquirer before returning to the States on Jan. 18.

In his lecture at the CLSU, Abenes said the carabao is a model for a way to convert lignocellulose to ethanol. Lignocellulose is the most common molecule on earth and is found in all plants.

Converting this molecule to alcohol using purified enzymes, chemical and physical hydrolysis (or chemical breakdown) is too expensive under Philippine conditions, Abenes said.

“The carabao is known for its ability to subsist on low quality forage, including rice stubble and straw. This ability is conferred upon this animal by the rumen that digests cellulose and hemicellulose, turning them into methane and volatile fatty acids (VFAs),” Abenes said.

The methane, he said, is expelled when the carabao belches while the VFAs are parceled between the host animal and the microorganisms.

“The host animal uses the VFAs as a source of energy. The microorganisms use them to support its life functions by synthesizing glucose,” he said.

Abenes said the feasibility of the method, as suggested by the carabao paradigm, has been validated in experiments conducted by the PCC.

He said the rumen fluid can turn lignocellulose into fermentable carbohydrates and the fermentable carbohydrates can be turned into alcohol using common yeast.

Abenes, who conducted the experiment with PCC scientist Perla Florendo, said because of the promising results of the experiment they submitted a paper to a national science and technology contest in energy research and development.

“We have no illusion about winning any prize due to limited scope of the project but its submission at least documents that the first research in this area was conducted at PCC and CLSU,” Abenes said.

He said preliminary calculations based on theoretical models have indicated that as much as 117 liters of alcohol can be distilled from 1,000 kg of biomass materials.

Given the natural abundance of biomass, the use of 85 percent ethanol for flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) may be possible, he said.

There is now a technology for the conversion of vehicles using engine fuel to FFV at an affordable cost, he said.

The mandated minimum 1 percent biodiesel blend and 5 percent bioethanol blend in all diesel and gasoline fuels have become controversial of late because of the statement of Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, Dr. Hartmut Michel.

Michel said investment in biofuel development is “counterproductive” as producing biofuel would sometimes entail clearing a forest that would destroy biodiversity and emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, author of the Biofuels Act, sought more government oversight powers over biofuel development, saying it could adversely affect the country’s ability to produce its own food.

She said biofuel production, being land-based, will eventually compete with food.

In his talk here, Abenes said the carabao model for production of ethanol could be an alternative as it uses rice straw and other biomass.

He said the experience of Brazil, the oft-cited model for a thriving ethanol industry, cannot be replicated in this country.

Brazil, he said, has a vast tract of land for sugarcane production. There are less than 25 persons per square kilometer of land in Brazil compared to the Philippines’ 300 persons per square kilometer. Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world, has a land area of 8,511,965 square kilometers. The Philippines’ land area is 300,439 square kilometers.

Abenes said the commercial production of ethanol using the carabao model can involve residents of rural areas. They can be part of the factory assembly line by performing the tasks involved in the digestion process (in bioreactor containers) of the biomass material with the use of the rumen fluid that will be supplied to them.

The alcohol from the “bacterial beer” collected from the participating rural residents can be further refined through a solar distiller, he said.

The distiller is now being designed by engineers from CLSU, he said.

Abenes also said residents who will be involved in this project can have added income, making the project a boost to rural economy

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080126-115028/Carabao-may-be-key-to-biofuel-says-scientist

barrera_marquez

January 27th, 2008, 11:15 AM

papable

January 28th, 2008, 01:36 AM

Siguro nga hindi mo alam kung gaano kalala ang problema ng Palayan City. I can't blame you. Pero iniimbitahan kita na pasyalan ang Palayan City. At saka isa pa, bundukin iyong Palayan City at talagang walang business na magtatangkang mag-invest doon hanggang walang magandang reason. Hindi siya kulang sa tao, marami ngang may gustong magkaroon ng matinong business doon. Pero partida naman, may magandang hotel ang Palayan City. I will still call it our own Palayan City, hindi ko mai-aalis na doon ipinanganak ang lola ko kahit anong mangyari.

Isa pa, may malaking sementeryo sa Palayan City, kasinlaki ng sementeryo sa mga probinsya na ubod ng tao. Katabi ng Barangay Santolan ang sementeryong ito.

Pero may malaking lupa sa paanan ng bundok na zoned for agro-industrial. Sana ma-develop ang Palayan City para mag-ala Baguio City ito. May potential ang Palayan City sa totoo lang pero maraming political issues lang.

Kung made-develop ang Palayan City, baka maisipan ko pang magtayo ng business doon. Kung made-develop lang.

Hindi naman dapat lahat ng opisina ng gobyerno ng probinsya ng Nueva Ecija ay ililipat. Yung mga may kinalalaman lang sa pinansyal at komersyo. Sa Palayan City na lang si Governor Umali at ang iba pang basic services. Mas kailangan sila roon, wala nga akong nakitang police, fire stations at medical clinics/hospital doon.

Pero siguro tama ka, sorry rin sa pagboto sa Cabanatuan City. Dapat dalawa na lang silang maging capital ng Nueva Ecija pero problema ang communications kung magkakaganon. Tanging Cabanatuan City lang ang may broadband internet, wala ang Palayan City pero kailangan pa rin nila ng direct communications. Pati nga yata telepono problema pa sa Palayan City pati cellphone signal. Walang communications sa Palayan City, kailangang makabitan ang Palayan City ng communications bago ito mag-develop.

I think it is better to stay the capitol at palayan. Palayan was chosen as the new capital most likely because the officials then saw the potential of the area to be developed and the need to decongest cabanatuan city. with the new capital, a new urban layout can be well planned and development can be dispersed to a wider area. However, i also agree that this transfer should have been immediately accompanied by appropriate infrastructure development (roads, bridges, communications, more tertiary education, etc.) so that the city would not looked like a "deserted" one. Ive been to the capitol and it looked magnificent. There was also a new convention center, but it seemed to be unused most of the time, due probably to the lack of support facilities like hotels (or night life?). the government should have prioritized infrastructure and economic investments first before this one. IMO lang po.

Colonel Burger

January 28th, 2008, 03:07 AM

There is a provincial capitol of Nueva Ecija in Cabanatuan City. Proof? Here:
http://www2.mozcom.com/~valmonte/cabanatuan/cabtour21.JPG

The old Nueva Ecija capitol. Hope that several government institutions of Nueva Ecija be transferred in Cabanatuan City. At least the institutions concerned with financial and commerce. They are much needed there and also to prevent Cabanatuan City from being independent if it does became a highly-urbanized city (it did a few years ago but was later returned to Component status).

What Palayan City lacks, in fact are police stations, fire stations (I never saw any!), hospitals and even markets! How can you ensure that we could develop Palayan City? It is one of the reasons why transferred to Cabanatuan City.

But in fairness, Palayan City is my hometown and I cannot remove that, and it is a good place for people who wants to live in a peaceful and a quiet environment.

But, why not absorb Palayan City to Cabanatuan City? Actually, I oppose this. Nueva Ecija's capital has been there for a long time. Not a good time to lose a city actually even if it looks like a municipality.

But why not let Nueva Ecija have two stars (literally, having two capitals), I think that two heads are better than one.

Anyway, is there somebody who has a seal of Palayan City? I saw it in their welcome arch but I never saw a digital version of it. I will put it in Wikipedia, only the flag is there, no city seals. Please upload it here, thanks!

The Province of Nueva Ecija just spent 200M++ for a new provincial capitol in Palayan City. There is no sense in having 2 capitals. and there is no sense in moving it back to cabanatuan either.

moving out the capital from palayan will futher worsen its situation. You all claim that nobody wants to do business or even go to Palayan that is because Palayan does not have the population or the transients around the place who brings in money and investments in the locality.

That capitol can be the stimulus because the people would come and go the the capitol to do their business with the government. In other words, that capitol gives the people the reason to go to Palayan, and when many people come and go, money will come in and investments will pour in.

barrera_marquez

January 28th, 2008, 11:56 AM

The Province of Nueva Ecija just spent 200M++ for a new provincial capitol in Palayan City. There is no sense in having 2 capitals. and there is no sense in moving it back to cabanatuan either.

moving out the capital from palayan will futher worsen its situation. You all claim that nobody wants to do business or even go to Palayan that is because Palayan does not have the population or the transients around the place who brings in money and investments in the locality.

That capitol can be the stimulus because the people would come and go the the capitol to do their business with the government. In other words, that capitol gives the people the reason to go to Palayan, and when many people come and go, money will come in and investments will pour in.

then how come there is still no development there. i heard political reasons are to blame.

by the way, palayan city has a potential to be the baguio city of central luzon. believe me, it's mountainous there and cold, could be the next baguio city and tagaytay city.

fyi: there are no pharmacies there, the nearest is in cabanatuan city proper, even hospitals.

lightsaber46

January 29th, 2008, 03:07 AM

SBMA signs deal with Dubai-based firm for $250-M venture

By Ronnel Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:01:00 01/29/2008

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai-based Jafza International for a $250-million project involving further development of the Subic Bay Freeport, northwest of Manila.

Armand C. Arreza, SBMA Administrator, said in a phone interview that the MOU was signed in Dubai on Monday during the official visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the United Arab Emirates.

Jafza is a unit of holding company Dubai World, which is considered the world’s fourth-largest marine terminal operator.

The investment from Jafza will be infused into the Subic Bay project over three to five years.

According to a statement posted on Jafza International’s website, the agreement covered Jafza’s proposal for the phased lease and consolidation of four areas within the Subic Bay freeport to form an industrial or logistics zone, including the renewal and re-alignment of a residential and leisure area.

The four areas being considered are the industrial technopark, Boton wharf, Subic International Airport and the residential Cubi area.

Salma Hareb, Dubai World chief executive, said the Philippines’ trade and economic policies and the strategic location of Subic Bay not only gave it an edge as an investment area but also made it an ideal gateway to Asian markets.

“The Subic Bay Freeport fits well in our agenda of forming beneficial alliances and expanding operations to vital business destinations around the world, as well as our intention to form a truly global logistics network,” Hareb said.

Also on Sunday, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry an MOU aimed at strengthening and expanding trade, economic, scientific, technological cooperation for both countries.

Under the agreement, businessmen from both countries would work on the strengthening and expanding business relations between concerned organizations aside from assisting their members in establishing and strengthening business contacts.

In 2007, the Philippines ranked 65th among Dubai’s largest direct trading partner.

Philippine exports to the UAE include garments, consumer electronics, footwear, beauty or make-up accessories, automotive parts and accessories, air-conditioning machines as well as furniture.

The UAE exports to the Philippines include petroleum oils, butane, propane, aluminum alloys and urea.

Colonel Burger

January 29th, 2008, 03:25 AM

benchjade

January 29th, 2008, 03:43 AM

musta na kaya ang grande island?

barrera_marquez

January 29th, 2008, 12:35 PM

The Capital of a Province or a Country need not be the most developed city or the most urbanized or the most famous locality.

eg. The City of Albany, the capital of state of New York, compare it with Buffalo or New York City.

or

The City of Juneau, the capital city of the state of Alaska. It only has a population of 30,987, whilst the largest city in Alaska, Anchorage where the center of trade, commerce and tourism is has a population of 359,180.

I didn't said anything that a capital should be the most urbanized. What I said is that Palayan City has the potential to be the Baguio City of Central Luzon. It is sitting on a mountain and it has a lot of zoned areas for residential and industrial zones and oh yeah, it's cold too.

We just need to look around to see the problems of the city and solve for it to develop. Palayan City is going nowhere with the present situation, we need to do something about it.

allan_dude

January 29th, 2008, 07:29 PM

Iba-Tarlac road now in offing

by Rebecca Grace S. David

Zambales -- A road network that would liberate Zambales from isolation from the rest of Central Luzon is now ready for construction.

The Iba-Tarlac Road starts from the Olongapo-Bugallon road in Botolan and connects to Capas at the foot of the Baracbac Bridge. It has a total length of 89 kilometers. The 52 kilometers portion is in Zambales while the remaining 39 kilometers belong to Tarlac.

This road will also link Zambales to Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Aurora. It will serve as the secondary route to both Subic and Clark when one comes from the north. It will also be an alternative route to the already vulnerable and much traversed Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo intersection.

Zambales District Engineer Domingo Mariano said the road network project also entails the construction of six concrete bridges with a total length of 2.5 kilometers. Needed to complete these bridges is P774 million. The DPWH is awaiting the release of funds for the construction of these bridges.

Initially, some P195 million has been released for the construction of the roads. Total amount needed for the completion of the roads is P696 million.

There is now a 6 kilometer gravel road. Also completed is an 8 kilometer concrete road. To be opened for construction is a 34 kilometer road network.

Engr. Domingo added that both Zambales and Tarlac have been clamoring for the completion of this link since it will reduce travel time to an hour and contribute to the economic growth of both provinces. (PIA (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080123.htm&no=12))

Matteo

January 29th, 2008, 08:47 PM

anyone got photos of gapan?
last time i was there i was about 12 yrs old visiting my grandpa

chocolato1000

January 30th, 2008, 07:21 AM

UAE firm to set up logistics hub in northern Philippines

SUBIC BAY, Philippines -- Emirati developer Jafza International and Economic Zones World has signed an accord to develop a logistics hub in the Subic Bay freeport, north of the Philippine capital, it was announced Wednesday.

Under the memorandum, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Jafza could invest as much as $250 million over the next five years in the international hub, said Armand Arreza, chief executive officer of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The agreement was finalized during Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's recent visit to the UAE, said Arreza.

Under the agreement, Jazfa International will lease and develop parts of an industrial zone, the wharf and the international airport located in Subic for use of its logistics operations, the official added.

Subic Bay was formerly the base of US naval forces in the region but was transferred back to Philippine control in 1992. It has since been converted into a freeport, industrial zone and tourism center.

barrera_marquez

January 30th, 2008, 11:58 AM

Okay, through massive research on the net. It has been found out that Nueva Ecija has already two capitals, even before we started throwing words here.

Both Cabanatuan City and Palayan City have the Nueva Ecija provincial capitols. Both cities cannot function without the other. Example, Cabanatuan City, and the rest of Nueva Ecija cannot do its job since it takes government support from Palayan City. On the other hand, Palayan City cannot do also its job since Cabanatuan City is the center of trade and commerce meaning Palayan City, and the rest of Nueva Ecija relies on Cabanatuan City for financial reasons.

Okay, if there are objections, please continue posting but there is no need for arguing, there are two capitals in Nueva Ecija. Only Palayan City has a greater control on Nueva Ecija than Cabanatuan City but still, it is interesting to know that there are two capitols and stars in Nueva Ecija.

lightsaber46

January 31st, 2008, 04:49 AM

IBM notes Clark free port
IT competitiveness

http://businessmirror.com.ph/01312008/economy05.html

By Jacob Cunanan
Correspondent

CLARK FREE PORT—Information Technology (IT) giant IBM has cited the Clark Freeport’s edge in IT, noting that this former US military facility has become a strategic location for its expansion programs.

IBM Philippines president James Velasquez said in an interview in the local cable television program Aksyon Central Luzon Special Edition that Clark has “become a strategic place for IBM to focus its efforts in.”

Velasquez said IBM is eyeing Clark in line with its ongoing GEO Expansion program that taps top regions outside Metro Manila with IT opportunities.

“We are committed to bring out our IT and business solutions to Clark’s business landscape, majority of which are classified under small and medium enterprises [SMEs],” he said.

Velasquez said the SME/mid-market is one of IBM’s largest and fastestgrowing market opportunities, adding that “IBM recognizes the contributions mid-sized businesses make in innovation within their industries as well as being the driving economic engine for the global economy.”

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Liberato Laus likewise cited IBM for bringing IT solutions to locator and investor firms based at Clark.

Laus, during IBM’s product and services launching at the Holiday Inn Clark-Philippines dubbed IBM@Clark: Technology and Business Solutions for Clark Business Leaders, noted the free port’s competitiveness in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.

“We are ICT-prepared [in Clark] as technology advances run at a fast pace,” Laus said.

In April last year the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) had given Clark a 9.23 score (10 being the highest) in ICT readiness.

The DTI and CICT, Laus said, certified Clark has met most of the crucial requisites of being an ideal destination for ICT locators.

“Clark is positioning itself as a viable outsourcing center for ICT and ICT-enabled services due to its strategic location, highly skilled and trainable manpower pool and available investment areas with adequate facilities,” Laus said.

allan_dude

January 31st, 2008, 07:27 AM

^^ Clark is part of Pampanga province.

barrera_marquez

February 1st, 2008, 03:20 PM

Okey, mukhang halatang hindi pa nga city ang Gapan noong huli kang pumunta. Pero, ito, may nakuha ako sa Internet na pictures ng Gapan City. Pero suggestion ko talaga sa iyo na pumunta ka sa Gapan City, mas malapit nga iyon kaysa sa Cabanatuan City. Kami hilo kapag papunta ako doon mula Manila. Alam mo naman, gala ako.

http://www.kibaka.org/2007%20Images/20/2.%20buong%20pamilya%20ng%20mahihirap,%20sa%20Gapan,%20N.Ecija,%20namamalimos%20sa%20highway.JPG

Wala na akong iba pang makita, sorry.

Pinoy_ako

February 4th, 2008, 05:40 AM

^^

Gapan is one of the heritage cities that is comparable to towns and cities like San Miguel, Silay, Carcar, Taal and the others. Maybe we can start documenting the historic structures in the town and promote it as a place that deserves to be protected.

A number of historic homes are being torn down, but there are still many remaining ones.

barrera_marquez

February 4th, 2008, 12:38 PM

tracymack

February 4th, 2008, 02:21 PM

Correction, Gapan is not a town, it is a city. Gapan City to be exact.

Really? Is it like Palayan there?

barrera_marquez

February 4th, 2008, 03:38 PM

Really? Is it like Palayan there?

No, Gapan City is actually better. The city really looks like a city.

Anyway, I have found another reason why investors are keeping their eyes away from Palayan City, NPAs! The New People's Army lurks in Palayan City, that is why there is a military camp there plus, according to the residents themselves, the governor hired soldiers as his bodyguards.

Anyway, do you want Cabanatuan City to be Nueva Ecija's capital with that thing there in Palayan City?

tracymack

February 5th, 2008, 08:36 AM

barrera_marquez

February 5th, 2008, 12:38 PM

^^NPA? I wouldn't want them anywhere near our city. Good thing there are no NPAs in Urdaneta City and Pangasinan. I don't want them asking for revolutionary tax. Tax being paid to the government is already enough of a burden. :D

I didn't saw any of them. The residents just said it and that is why Governor Umali and Mayor Capinpin hired soldiers for their security.

Also that is the reason why I advocate transferring the capital of Nueva Ecija to Cabanatuan City, that is safer there.

Hopefully, those nuts will be removed in our province.

tracymack

February 5th, 2008, 06:00 PM

^^ I was about to say that it's ok to have NPA's around so long as they don't cause harm to the residents but even if this is the case there's still that uneasy feeling.

Matteo

February 5th, 2008, 07:39 PM

i just realized thats a very sad photo up there ^^
baby in hand, begging for money, the woman doesnt even have shoes on her feet. :(

tracymack

February 5th, 2008, 08:59 PM

^^Yes, it is sad. :(

barrera_marquez

February 6th, 2008, 11:58 AM

The picture is from Gapan City and the topic is about poverty.

allan_dude

February 6th, 2008, 03:28 PM

Guv, group forge alliance for Zambales infra, tourism projects

Sun Star (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/02/03/news/guv.group.forge.alliance.for.zambales.infra.tourism.projects.html)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) and Zambales Governor Amor Deloso recently announced a joint commitment to advocate vital infrastructure and tourism projects in Zambales to boost economic opportunities in the province.

Officers of ADCL, led by Rene Romero, visited the Zambales provincial capitol in Iba on Friday.

Deloso welcomed the group's concern on the over-all economic development of Zambales, specifically its potential to be directly linked to the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).

ADCL has been advocating for the construction of Clark-Botolan Expressway.

With the construction of the expressway, the travel time from Clark to Botolan and Iba -- three to four hours via Gapan-San-Fernando Olongapo Road (GSO) -- will be cut down to 30 minutes.

The proposed Clark-Botolan Expressway will be connected to the Tarlac-Iba Road, which is still under construction.

According to Deloso, Tarlac-Iba Road construction was stopped due to alleged shortage of funds.

During the meeting, ADCL also committed to discuss with Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Narciso Abaya the needed completion of the Tarlac-Iba Road.

"If Tarlac-Iba Road and Clark-Botolan Expressway will be completed, Zambales will have a direct access to Clark Freeport. The province will eventually be linked to the Luisita Industrial Park via SCtex," Romero said.

"This is important for Zambales because most of the tourists and investors use Clark as a jump-off point to explore other areas in Luzon," he added.

These vital road networks will also enhance the province's capability to accommodate economic spillovers from the major industrial and economic zones in Central Luzon, according to Romero.

Romero also presented to Deloso the infrastructure and economic development plans for Zambales including Mount Tapulao (Palauig town) and Potipot Island (Candelaria town) eco-tourism promotions.

Mount Tapulao is a place in Palauig, Zambales with an altitude of 2,037 meters or about 6,500 feet above sea level.

It has a "secret garden" at its peak with natural bonsai trees, wild strawberries, endemic orchids, rare flora and carpets of moss.

"We want to help Governor Deloso promote Mount Tapulao as the next summer capital of the Philippines. It is the highest peak in Central Luzon and even higher than Baguio City. If I am not mistaken, Baguio City has only an elevation of about 4,500 feet," Romero said.

Sonny Dobles, ADCL vice president, said Mount Tapulao could be developed like the Genting Island in Kuala Lumpur.

"Genting Island has theme parks, hotels, cable car and other amenities that attract tourists. Like Mount Tapulao it is also about 6,000 feet above sea level and has the same temperature. But Mount Tapulao has an edge because it is already a haven to hundreds of pine trees while Malaysians are only starting to plant pine trees at Genting Island," Dobles said.

"But for short term development, Mount Tapulao can already serve nature lovers and mountaineers with its natural environ," he said.

Dobles said ADCL could help the Zambales Provincial Government with the needed linkages with travel agencies, business organizations, the national government agencies concerned, off-road enthusiasts, and prospective trekkers.

"We will help them promote the area so the local residents would benefit as soon as the number of tourists grow," he said.

The Potipot Island is another eco-tourism destination that is expected to generate income for Zambales' tourism industry.

The island is surrounded by pure white sand coral beaches and is easily accessible by a boat.

"The fact that you can walk around the whole island in less than 30 minutes makes the place even more magical. Zambales is indeed a haven for nature lovers, environmentalists, retirement communities and even for medical tourism," Romero said.

"It has a lot to offer, not mentioning its marine sanctuary in Masinloc. ADCL is very happy to have established an alliance withGovernor Deloso. We look forward to these projects for the people of Zambales," he added.

leechtat

February 6th, 2008, 04:26 PM

^^ build the clark-botolan expressway now.. to make the mount tapulao project feasible.. will definitely visit potipot this summer...

leechtat

February 6th, 2008, 04:36 PM

i just realized thats a very sad photo up there ^^
baby in hand, begging for money, the woman doesnt even have shoes on her feet. :(

yes.. that's what i noticed as well when i look at that photo.. ay, how sad... does nueva ecija have pabahay projects for the poor?

barrera_marquez

February 7th, 2008, 12:32 PM

yes.. that's what i noticed as well when i look at that photo.. ay, how sad... does nueva ecija have pabahay projects for the poor?

may bahay siguro sila kaya lang wala namang trabaho. useless ang bahay na sarili kung walang trabaho whereas kung may trabaho ka, pwedeng umupa ka na lang ng bahay.

Pinoy_ako

February 8th, 2008, 10:04 AM

Really? Is it like Palayan there?

Palayan does not lie along the main road of the province, unlike Gapan and the former capital, Cabanatuan. It lies almost near the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

barrera_marquez

February 8th, 2008, 12:25 PM

Palayan does not lie along the main road of the province, unlike Gapan and the former capital, Cabanatuan. It lies almost near the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Correction, Palayan City doesn't lie on foothills, it is on the mountains itself. It doesn't belong to the main road of the province which is Maharlika Highway. It lies on Cabanatuan-Bongabon Road.

Pinoy_ako

February 9th, 2008, 08:03 AM

anyone got photos of gapan?
last time i was there i was about 12 yrs old visiting my grandpa

Saan ka sa Gapan?

lochinvar

February 9th, 2008, 08:38 AM

"The New People's Army lurks in Palayan City, that is why there is a military camp there."

Fort Magsaysay was established long ago even before Sison and Buscayno started the NPA.

barrera_marquez

February 9th, 2008, 09:31 AM

"The New People's Army lurks in Palayan City, that is why there is a military camp there."

Fort Magsaysay was established long ago even before Sison and Buscayno started the NPA.

Sorry, I didn't thought of that.

By the way, Governor Umali is doing his office jobs on Cabanatuan City 2x a day. But he only shows up on Palayan City every Monday. I found out that thing this afternoon when I was in the old capitol compound to witness the Trabahong Umali Job Fair.

tj_brewed

February 9th, 2008, 03:17 PM

hi guys...we went to Subic kanina....i noticed this u/c skyscraper on top of a mountain. around 15 to 25 stories perhaps or more...Any idea kung ano yun? U can see it from the first tollgate papasok sa Subic Bay...ano yun?

allan_dude

February 10th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Eco-urban plan for Subic Freeport bared

Jonas Reyes (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/02/08/PROV20080208116494.html)
Manila Bulletin Online

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) unveiled last Tuesday its long- term goal of establishing in the Subic Bay area a First World eco-urban center that would also boost efforts to develop municipalities surrounding this freeport.

In his state-of-the-freeport address (SOFA) at the Subic Bay Arts Center here, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the SBMA envisions a unique eco-urban development that could serve as a regional city of Southeast Asia.

"This is the challenge for the future," Arreza told stakeholders here. "Our big long-term goal would be to transform the greater Subic Bay area into a First World eco-urban center in 20 years."

Arreza, who reported on the agency’s plans after SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga bared accomplishments in the past year, said the eco-urban project will incorporate significant investment, financial and business opportunities, and allow the convergence of developments in logistics, commercial, leisure, educational, and medical industries.

"It would also complement Clark Freeport in our common posturing as the new catalyst of growth in the Mega Luzon area," he said.

Under the plan, the SBMA identified various development modules for government and private funding. These include commercial areas in downtown Olongapo and Subic’s Gateway District; integrated resorts in Olongapo, Morong, Bataan and Subic, Zambales; industrial estates in Hermosa, Bataan and Castillejos, Zambales; and information technology (IT) parks at Tipo, also in Hermosa.

The plan also calls for development of an integrated port and logistics area; a medical city in Cubi; an education city; additional housing areas at the El Kabayo and Tipo; and a shipbuilding center in Redondo Peninsula.

Arreza said the vision for Subic’s eco-urban center is boosted by Executive Order No. 675 and the Subic- Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP), which is set to open next month.

"These are the two ‘enablers’ that would help us deliver on our vision," he stressed.

He said that E.O. 675, which extended Subic’s tax- and duty-free regime to other areas within the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFZ) that may be identified, fenced, and secured by the SBMA, would address the problem of limited space in Subic.

SCTEP would have a "tremendous potential" because it would hasten the movement of goods and manpower in the area, he added.

allan_dude

February 10th, 2008, 10:36 AM

Pantabangan touted ‘Little Baguio’ to promote tourism

BY LIAM ANACLETO
NORTHERN PHILIPPINE TIMES (http://northphiltimes.blogspot.com/)

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija – This mountain town situated 176 km north of Manila – home to the giant Pantabangan Dam and touted by local tourism officials as a miniature version of the country’s summer capital – is being primed as premier tourism destination in the province following the creation by the provincial government of the Pantabangan Eco-tourism Development Committee.

The creation of PEDC was contained in Executive Order 6 issued by Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, said Mayor Romeo Borja.

Borja, a member of the committee, said the PEDC has been tasked to perform such functions: evaluate all existing tourism programs and create, recommend, implement and supervise viable tourism programs.

Borja said the town has natural sceneries, citing the dams of Pantabangan, Aya, the Masiway as well as the Casecnan Dam which has resorts and facilities that could perk up the domestic tourism industry.

Casecnan Dam is connected to the Pantabangan Dam by a 26-km. underground tunnel which diverts water from the Casecnan and Taang rivers to Pantabangan. The tunnel is considered the longest such tunnel in Asia.

Aside from Borja, the committee is also composed of the mayor of the nearby town of Rizal, the chairman of the tourism committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the regional director of the Department of Tourism in Central Luzon, representatives from the National Irrigation Administration and its Upper Pampanga river Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) and the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project, the FirstGen Hydro-Power Corp., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local environment and natural resources office (ENRO) and offices of the provincial government and a media representative.

Emisonia Gante, municipal tourism officer said aside from offering irrigation and hydro-electric powers to Central Luzon, Pantabangan has vast untapped potentials for eco-tourism, citing that the town is a virtual “hidden paradise.”

She added the lake is one of the cleanest lakes not only in the Philippines but throughout Asia. The Dam’s water reservoir, she said, is an inviting place for boating, fishing and other sports activities such as rafting, game fishing, jet skiing, rock climbing, wake boarding and rappelling. Gante said the place has a climate comparable to Baguio and thus, can be called “Little Baguio.” The town also boasts of one of the best hotels in the country – Best View Hotel – where President Arroyo even slept during one of her out-of-town visits.

The town also plays hosts to migratory wild ducks from China during the months of October to February.

Matteo

February 10th, 2008, 06:33 PM

Saan ka sa Gapan?

my grandpa lived somewhere in, i think san isidro, something.
pero nagpunta kami sa gapan to shop

Pinoy_ako

February 11th, 2008, 04:49 AM

^^

If you are coming in from the Cagayan Valley Road, Gapan is really the last "shopping center" on your way to nearby San Isidro. It is also the jeepney terminal for the southern towns. I know somebody is making the history of San Isidro, but I don't know if he is going to publish it. If you are from San Isidro, that is one book worth waiting for. Does your grandfather live near the river?

Matteo

February 11th, 2008, 08:47 PM

im not sure. i only lived there for like, a summer.
i forgot the location. sto cristo, san isidro something was the address.i remember that. he used to have like a rice mill business of some sort and pigs and poultry back in the day. he's dead now

Ydlar

February 12th, 2008, 02:26 PM

Who here resides near/in Cabanatuan or Cabiao area?

barrera_marquez

February 12th, 2008, 03:55 PM

Who here resides near/in Cabanatuan or Cabiao area?

me, i go there occasionally, why?

Sinjin P.

February 13th, 2008, 07:44 AM

Robinsons Land FY2007 Investors Briefing (Dec 2007)

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/1882/robyl8.jpg

allan_dude

February 13th, 2008, 10:47 AM

^^Article from Cocktales (http://www.cocktales.com.ph/index.php?s=Robinsons+%2B+cabanatuan) by Victor C. Agustin

The planned Robinsons mall in Cabanatuan will be connected to the existing and bigger NE Mall in that city, with Robinsons planning to open and operate its own department store, supermarket, Handyman hardware and appliance shop within the three-story “annex.”

tracymack

February 14th, 2008, 09:07 AM

^^ So it's more of an annex to the NE Pacific Mall? Just the department store, supermarket & handyman? How about independent (non-Robinsons) shops?

Sinjin P.

February 15th, 2008, 05:10 AM

^ Probably there'd be a few. The planned Robinsons in Cabanatuan, at 17,000 square meters, will be of the same size to the existing Robinsons in Cebu (17,733 sq.m.) and we have here all those (department store, supermarket, Handyman hardware and appliance shop) plus 50 tenants. ;)

tracymack

February 15th, 2008, 05:28 AM

^^I see. I've been to Robinsons Cebu. I stayed at Holiday Plaza. I think it's also near Mango Square/Mall.

Pinoy_ako

February 16th, 2008, 04:42 AM

Who here resides near/in Cabanatuan or Cabiao area?

San Juan Sur

lightsaber46

February 19th, 2008, 04:58 AM

Tuesday, February 19, 2008
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/feb/19/yehey/prov/20080219pro5.html

PNP putting up training
school in Subic Freeport

SUBIC BAY Freeport: The Philippine National Police (PNP), together with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), will be putting up a training school to provide continuous education for police personnel in the country.

PNP Director General Avelino Razon Jr. last week signed an agreement with SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga and SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza for the establishment of the PNP School for Values and Leadership (PSVL) at Subic’s naval magazine area.

The signing of the accord was held at the PNP national headquarters inside Camp Crame with Teresita Baltazar of Presidential Anti-Graft Commission; Dir. Charlemagne Alejandrino, PNP director for logistics; Senior Supt. Jose Arne de los Santos, PNP training service director, and Senior Supt. Jesus Gatchalian, chief of staff of the PNP program management office as witnesses.

Razon said the PSVL course would be a refresher program to correct “ personal lapses” of police officers and serve as a reminder of their roles as law enforcers and public servants.

But he clarified that the PVSL will not be a reformatory school similar to the TABA (tamad, abusado, bastos at ayaw pa-disiplina) program launched by Dir. Gen. Edgar Aglipay in 2004.

Instead, the courses at PVSL would focus on back-to-basic instructions on discipline, unit leadership, family and community, as well as team training exercises, he explained.

Razon underscored how the PVSL serves as an institution for the orientation of police officers on the basic principles of police leadership and Christian leadership—teaching police officers about purpose-driven lives, ethical standards, as well as personal financial management and team building.

Under the agreement, the SBMA will provide the PSVL a one-hectare site for free. Construction of the school building is set to start in March. --Anthony Bayarong

davee08

February 20th, 2008, 11:57 AM

nice to see a lot of development is happening to Olongapo City and subic in general

allan_dude

February 22nd, 2008, 09:23 AM

SBMA eyes $2.5-B investments in 3 yrs

By BEBOT SISON JR.
The Philippine Star

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – After breaching its $5-billion investment target last year, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has increased its goal to $7.5 billion, or $2.5 billion more in fresh investments within the next three years.

SBMA administrator and chief executive officer Armand Arreza made this announcement the Friday as he revealed a $250-million investment commitment in Subic by Jafza International FZE, the global economic zone operations arm of Economic Zones World, which is owned by the government of Dubai.

"Now that we have exceeded our original target of $5 billion when Subic investments reached $5.4 billion in 2007, we have adjusted our 2010 goal to $7.5 billion," he said.

At the same time, Arreza expressed confidence the SBMA would be able to corner the additional $2.5 billion investments within three years due to the investor-friendly policies the agency has put in place over the past two years.

He said these include streamlining investment processing by standardizing terms and reducing processing period; organizing the SBMA business group into industry-focused units; facilitating the automatic renewal of certificates of registration and tax exemption for locators; and streamlining port processing procedures.

Moreover, the SBMA has reduced power rates, stabilized water charges, re-established fiber optic link to Subic, reaffirmed value-added tax exemption of locators and cracked down on smuggling.

"With all these measures, the SBMA has succeeded in re-establishing Subic as a viable and attractive investment destination in the last two years," Arreza said.

The SBMA official also said the scheduled opening of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) in March and President Arroyo’s Executive Order 675, which extends Subic’s tax and duty-free regime to surrounding communities, "will bring in bigger investment opportunities for Subic and the rest of Central Luzon."

"These will be our two enablers – the tools that would facilitate the entry of more investments," Arreza said.

The SCTEX project, he explained, will hasten the flow of goods and manpower within the Subic-Clark growth corridor, while EO 675 will build a strong economic base in areas around the two free ports.

The entry of Jafza International, Arreza also said, is proof that Subic is on its way to realizing its potential as a logistics and service hub in Southeast Asia.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed with Jafza CEO Salma Hareb, the Dubai-based company will invest in the development of the Subic airport, Boton wharf, Subic Techno Park and the Crown Peak hotel complex at Cubi Point.

The Jafza project will involve the master-planning and development of mixed-use properties, including port operations, logistics, and industrial and commercial components.

Thereafter, the company will also be responsible for operations, sales, leasing, marketing, and property and asset management for the areas covered by the project.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=109405

allan_dude

February 22nd, 2008, 09:25 AM

First Gen hires Austrian firm for Pantabangan rehab

By DONNABELLE L. GATDULA
The Philippine Star

First Gen Hydro Power Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lopez-controlled First Gen Corp., has tapped the services of VA Tech Hydro (GmbH) for the refurbishment and upgrade works for the newly-acquired Pantabangan hydroelectric power plants in Nueva Ecija.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), First Gen Hydro said the project will enable the Pantabangan facility to extend its lifespan by another 25 years.

This project, the company said, will also improve plant efficiency and performance by increasing capacity by approximately 18 megawatts (mw).

Austria-based VA Tech hydro is a leading global supplier of turnkey electro-mechanical equipment for hydropower plants. It is also engaged in the construction of new hydroelectric power stations and rehabilitation and upgrade of existing plants.

Completed in 1977, the 100-mw two-unit Pantabangan power plant has been in service for more than 30 years without having undergone a major overhaul.

The project involves refurbishing the machines one year apart , with the first unit scheduled between July and December 2009, and the second unit expected to be completed by December 2010.

The Pantabangan plant is the first major power facilty of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) sold by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).

It is also the first among Napocor’s privatized assets to undergo a major refurbishment and upgrade.

The refurbishment and upgrade project signals the implementation of the initial phase of First Gen Hydro’s expansion program, which includes investing in additional units for each of the Pantabangan-Masiway hydroelectric power plant to increase their combined capacity by 78 mw.

The Pantabangan-Masiway expansion program is in line with First Gen’s vision to be a world-class energy provider and to provide clean and reliable energy for the Philippines.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=109406

allan_dude

February 23rd, 2008, 03:50 PM

Philip Morris to begin construction of P1-B warehouse in Q4

Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. will begin construction of a P1-billion tobacco leaf warehouse facility in Subic in the last quarter of this year.

Company managing director Chris Nelson said that the facility will have a capacity of 24,000 metric tons and will be completed by mid-2009.

"We already invested in a warehouse in Subic that we renovated and we are about to start building a second facility by the last quarter. This will service mainly the Philippines."

Nelson said that tobacco leaves from its suppliers will be stored in the facility and processed in its cigarette plant in Tanauan, Batangas.

He said the company also plans to export Philippine-made cigarette products to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Philip Morris, part of the Altria Group Inc., earlier invested $300 million for its Batangas factory, which became fully operational in 2003. Judith Balea - ABS CBN

allan_dude

February 23rd, 2008, 03:52 PM

Dubai investors start survey for Subic project

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - Dubai investors on Tuesday conducted a two-day survey here in preparation for the implementation of a $250-million development project at the Freeport.

Armand Arreza, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator, said officials of Jafza International, the company managing the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai headed by Noel Gulliver Willam, on Tuesday and Wednesday made a round of the Boton logistics and industrial areas, the Subic airport, and the residential and leisure district in Cubi that the firm has targeted for development within the next three years.

"They're now laying down the foundation for the project, “ said Arreza.

"They collected pertinent information about the area and other market data that they will use in preparing the master plan and in financial modeling," he said.

The project, which was agreed upon during the official visit of President Arroyo to the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 27, will involve the planning, development and management of mixed-use properties here.

Arreza, who signed the agreement for the Subic project with Salma Hareb, CEO of Jafza and Economic Zones World, said the project would adhere to world-class standards set by Jafza, a pioneer in the development and operation of large commercially-operated free zones around the world.

Under the agreement, Jafza will serve as the primary developer, manage the development process, supervise project design and capital raising, and oversee construction and operation. It will also be responsible for operation, sales, leasing and marketing of the developed property. SBMA, on the other hand, will assist in project documentation and take charge of all necessary approvals and permits. - Ric Sapnu - PhilipphineStar

lightsaber46

February 27th, 2008, 09:10 AM

ang daming ginagawa dyan sa loob ng Subic, we took the gate coming from Zambales going on our way to Manila at dun palang sa road na yun I saw 4 on-going developments (MG Village and the rest I forgot the name)

allan_dude

March 1st, 2008, 09:53 PM

Jobs generated by DTI Bataan doubled in 2007

by William L. Beltran

Balanga, Bataan -- The provincial Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bataan gainfully ended year 2007 with almost 25,000 new jobs generated in its varied programs.

According to Yay Lasam, DTI provincial director, the bulk of the jobs generated mostly comprised One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) projects which included jobs on OTOP enterprises that are labor intensive such as mango growing, cashew production and food processing.

Lasam said the DTI provincial office is elated over the achievement, boasting that the employment generation target was overshot, in fact, more than doubled. Target was pegged at 11,930, making a 208% accomplishment with the actual jobs generated that reached an astounding 24,872.

In 2006, the provincial trade department generated a total of 11,556 jobs.

The overshoot in jobs target, Lasam added, is attributed in part to investments generated for the year which totaled to over P13-billion, a 1,421% accomplishment vis-a-vis the target of P727.59 million.

The bulk of these investments, Lasam explained, came from GN Power, a coal-fired power plant being established in Mariveles with an initial investment of $300 million or amounting to some P12 billion.

Small-and-medium enterprises (SME), on the other hand, assisted by the DTI thru loan financing and business matching, generated investments amounting to P10.47 million.

Meanwhile, in SME development, the DTI assisted 135 micro-small-and-medium enterprises (MSME) in 2007, a decrease of about 22% from the those assisted in 2006 which numbered 174 in total.

Ninety one new SMEs, however, were developed in different parts of the province, a far cry from the 10 in 2006. Most of these new SMEs are in the OTOP program.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080227.htm&no=88

allan_dude

March 3rd, 2008, 05:44 AM

Eco-friendly lake resort to rise in Zambales

Mar T. Supnad

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales – A 113-hectare natural lagoon will be developed into a lake resort in this town, just 30 minutes away from the popular tourist center of Subic Bay.

Last Sunday, Castillejos town officials led by Mayor Wilma Billman, as well as private project supporters, broke ground for the Looc Lake Development Project that envisions to develop the 113-hectare natural lagoon here.

The project is expected to push Castillejos into another dimension and at the same time promote a greener environment and the growing tourism industry here, Billman told Castillejos residents and guests.

"We shall have a full array of recreation facilities, spas and wellness centers here, and with this project we can hope to be part of the global economy soon," Billman said.

Engineer Eduardo Soliven, the town’s planning officer, said his office has designed a master plan for the Looc Lake Development Project, which also targets investors to put up facilities and services.

The lake resort is located some 26 kilometers north of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and just two and a half hours drive away from Manila.

Soliven said the plan includes facilities for water sports enthusiasts, with canoes, kayaks, and aqua cycles, as well as family oriented fun activities like fishing and picnics.

He added that there will also be a floating grill cum bar and restaurant for anglers who would like to cook their catch while being serenaded by village bands using native instruments.

To capitalize on the serene vista of green fields, woodlands and mountains that surround the property, walkways and trails for trekkers, bikers and horseriders will also be built through agoho pine forests, Soliven said.

He pointed out that to attract the adventurous type of visitors and tourists, the resort will also have tracks for off-road motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles.

This is the right place to refresh and revitalize our mind and body, and renew our soul, Mayor Billman told guests as they toured the lakefront on Sunday.

Billman said the Castillejos government had initially released a P2-million fund for the upgrading of roads leading to the proposed resort.

Another P1 million has been secured from the Zambales provincial government by provincial board members Baby dela Llana and Billman’s son JJ, who represents the youth sector in the provincial board.

But Billman said she hopes that most of the funding would come from Castillejos residents, especially those abroad, who have money to invest in the lake resort development project.

She added that the fund-raising drive for the project was successfully kicked off, with participants in the recent homecoming program chipping in donations and pledging more funds for the lake resort project.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/03/01/ENVI20080301118256.html

allan_dude

March 7th, 2008, 04:49 PM

$10-million surgery center rises in Subic

Filipino health care firm TotalMED Subic Corp. has put up a $10-million medical and wellness center in the Subic Bay Freeport.

The facility, inaugurated last week, is the first free-standing, full-service ambulatory surgery center in the Freeport area, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said in a statement.

TotalMED partnered with Taiwanese health care products manufacturer MedTecs for this venture.

"This presents a high income-generating potential for Subic Bay, which has an excellent environment that is naturally conducive to healing," Mr. Arreza said.

Citing government data, he said the estimated total revenue generated by medical tourism in Asia amounted to $2.5 billion in 2006. This is expected to grow further to about $4.5 billion in 2012.

The same statement quoted Raymond Ricardo, president and chief executive officer of TotalMED, as saying that his company plans to put up more medical facilities and services in the country.

TotalMED is targeting the more than 100,000 employees of companies located in Subic and Clark free ports; some 5,000 retired US servicemen residing in the Subic-Clark area; as well as medical tourism clients from the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Asia.

"With the completion of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway project [by the end of this April], we are also anticipating a heavy influx of patients from the northern part of Luzon, like Baguio City, Ilocos, Tarlac, and Pampanga," Mr. Ricardo said. — BSSD, BusinessWorld

allan_dude

March 19th, 2008, 05:11 PM

President inaugurates P53-M, 3-storey prov'l hospital in Bataan

PIA (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080313.htm&no=20)

Balanga City, Bataan -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated the P53-million, three-storey provincial hospital building here. She later kicked off the Women's Month celebration in this province in ceremonies held at the provincial capitol grounds.

The President cut the ribbon and unveiled the project marker at the main entrance of the newly-completed ward building of the Bataan General Hospital, signaling its opening to the public. She was assisted by Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia Jr., Balanga City Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia, Bataan Reps. Albert Garcia and Herminia Roman, and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral.

The President then toured and inspected the facilities of this lone tertiary government hospital in Bataan that has 300-bed capacity.

The hospital was built to address the problem of inadequate rooms for the confinement and accommodation of patients.

The construction of the hospital building was started in August 2005 and completed in November 2007. The building has a total floor area of 1,814.32 square meters. Private rooms are found at the groundfloor while ward rooms are located at the second and third floors.

At the launching of the Women's Month celebration held at the Bataan provincial capitol grounds the President distributed 30 "Buntis Kits" containing multivitamins, iron supplements and other items for pregnant women.

She also distributed 300 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship certificates to the mayors of 12 municipalities, including Balanga Mayor Garcia and Dinalupihan Mayor Joel Payumo.

She also gave away 25 "Galing Mekaniko" and 25 "Galing Masahista Ako" kits, 11 certificates to operate "Tindahan Natin" and 60 PhilHealth cards to Bataan residents.

"Ako ay nasisiyahan na nagkaroon ng selebrasyon ng Women's Month dito sa Bataan. Nag-imbita si Governor Garcia para buksan ang inayos na provincial hospital. Naibahagi natin iyong mga biyaya kanina, iyong para sa mga training, PhilHealth at mga tulong para sa mga buntis. Magbibigay tayo ng ambulansiya para sa bagong hospital ni Governor Garcia," she said in her impromptu speech.

allan_dude

March 24th, 2008, 09:51 PM

SBMA okays $12.3-M new projects in first 2 months

By Bebot Sison Jr. and Ric Sapnu (http://philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=20080324122)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has approved 30 new projects worth $12.3 million in the first two months of 2008, topping by seven percent the recorded volume of new investments in the same period last year.

The new projects brought to 961 the total number of registered investors in the freeport, SBMA administrator and chief executive officer Armand C. Arreza said.

He said the SBMA board of directors approved 10 new projects worth $6.2 million in January and 20 other investment proposals worth $6.1 million the following month.

Among the new projects, Hanafil Golf & Tour, Inc., a South Korean-owned firm, listed the biggest investment commitment at $3 million.

The company, which will establish and operate golf, tour and other related recreational facilities, also expects to hire as many as 1,495 workers when it reaches full operations, according to a profile submitted to the SBMA Business and Investment Department.

The other big new investors are Palmgold Int’l Ltd. of Malaysia, which committed $1.9 million for the importation of gaming equipment and operation of slot machine arcade, and Grand Pillar International Development, Inc., which will also invest $1.9 million to acquire and improve real estate properties in the freeport.

The other new investor-firms sharing the top ten list are Filipino-owned Janburlai Corp. and M. Waseem International Corp. of Pakistan, which both pledged $800,000; Transequip Co. Ltd. with $725,000; Wonjun International Corp. with $607,000; Dong Yang Food Machinery Philippines Corp., with $468,000; Builenc Phil. Co., Ltd. Corp. with $391,000; Ringsthree Inc. with $220,000; and Mini Melts Ice Cream Dream Corp. and Gaon International, Inc., which both committed $200,000.

Arreza said the SBMA is “highly optimistic” that the increases posted in the first two months of 2008 would set the pace for the rest of the year, as they did in the last two years.

“Given this growing investment trend that started two years ago, when Subic breached the $1-billion yearend total, chances are we’d get a higher investment output for the third succeeding year,” he added.

According to the SBMA Business Group, Subic posted a total of $1.42 billion in new investments in 2006 and $1.67 billion in 2007, when it signed in 164 new business locators.

Last year’s record represented an increase of 17 percent over the 2006 investment total, and brought Subic’s cumulative investment pledges to $5.43 billion.

Similarly, job opportunities in Subic are increasing with the new investment inflows, the SBMA said, with the new projects approved in January and February expected to contribute a total of 1,887 new jobs.

allan_dude

March 26th, 2008, 11:06 AM

N. Ecija crime rate drops 40 percent

By Anselmo Roque
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080325-126404/N-Ecija-crime-rate-drops-40-percent)

CABANATUAN CITY – The cooperation of civilian volunteers with policemen has led to a drop in the crime rate in Nueva Ecija for the past two months, the province’s top police official said.

Senior Supt. Napoleon Taas said 140 people with warrants had been arrested since January. Among them were two most wanted suspects and the main suspect in the March 5 murder of a Japanese.

Taas said the number of index crimes, such as murder, homicide, physical injury and robbery and theft, dropped by 40 percent – from 116 cases recorded from Jan. 11 to March 19 last year to only 69 this year.

The number of unsolved crimes dropped by 43 percent, he said, “due to our relentless effort and the cooperation of our men, plus the assistance of civilian volunteers.”

He attributed the “success” in the war on criminality to the national PNP’s Mamang Pulis program. Initiated by PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon, the program requires policemen to be more visible.

Owing to his background in intelligence and IT, Taas, a graduate of the US Military Academy, has put up two wireless routers at the provincial police headquarters for unlimited connectivity, computers to each of the 32 police stations, and three mobile groups in the province.

These stations will be provided with Internet connection, he said. In an interview with a radio station in Manila, Taas said 80 percent of all police stations in the province were already connected while the rest will have their connection this month.

He said the provincial police office also had its own website (http://1pnp.jot.com). All police stations have working e-mail addresses.

allan_dude

March 29th, 2008, 09:14 AM

Mariveles giant bag is candidate for Guinness world record

By Gilda V. Llames

Bataan -- A 20-foot-high backpack, produced by seven skilled bag makers from Mariveles, Bataan, may yet land for the municipality a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The giant bag symbolizes and showcases the main product of Mariveles under the "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) program, according to Yay P. Lasam, director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the province.

For the past several years, the municipality has been known as a producer of durable and export-quality bags. The endeavor started in the early 70's when multi-national firms were producing backpacks of famous brands like Jansport at the Bataan Export Zone (BEZ), Lasam related.

However, when the foreign-owned bag manufacturers closed down or had to transfer their operations to other areas, the sewers were displaced and had no where to go then, the DTI official recounted.

The closure of the companies proved to be a blessing in disguise for the affected workers because some of them soon ventured into their own bag-making business and sold their products locally using known brand names without realizing that it was against the intellectual property law.

Despite the infringement, many people still patronized the bags produced in Mariveles because they were of excellent quality and durability, according to Lasam.

Bag making in Mariveles received a big boost with the launching of the OTOP program in 2005. Lasam explained that OTOP, which is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, aims to promote the unique and competitive products or services of towns and cities in the country with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty through the promotion of entrepreneurship and creation of jobs.

With the launching of OTOP, bag makers of the municipality were assisted through trainings on product development, marketing, financial management, packaging and labeling/branding.

Mary Adolfo, OTOP coordinator of Mariveles, recalled that the bag makers soon realized that for their products to generate wider acceptance and be well-known in other places, they have to have a unique brand that is easily identified with their town.

A series of consultations with designers of the DTI gave birth to the brand name "Mariveles Bags" which was subsequently adopted with a corresponding logo conceptualized and designed by DTI officer, Gerry Santos.

From then on, Lasam pointed out, the logo became the trade mark of bags made in Mariveles, including the giant OTOP bag now on display in front of the municipal hall.

The giant bag, unveiled last February 16 as part of the 63rd anniversary of the liberation of Mariveles, is made of 80 yards of tarpaulin material donated by Dong-In Group of Companies, a Korean firm operating at the BEZ.

Dr. Jesse Concepcion, mayor of Mariveles said that the bag can withstand strong winds and other elements because its frame is made of galvanized iron pipes, angular and flat bars.

The giant bag's pocket when opened serves as a view deck where visitors could view the sea in front of the town hall, Director Lasam pointed out.

A steel staircase inside the giant bag leads to a platform several feet high where the view deck pocket is located.

Lasam expressed optimism that the giant bag will not only promote further an already progressive industry, it is also expected to lure more tourists to the scenic coastal town of Mariveles. (PIA-Bataan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080228.htm&no=80

allan_dude

March 31st, 2008, 03:27 PM

P470 M infra dev’t for Ecija town

By Joan Capuna
(http://northphiltimes.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-news-nueva-ecija.html)
PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija – Around P470.7 million worth of projects is in the works in this town, triggering an infrastructure boom in what is billed as the province’s “Little Baguio.”

Mayor Romeo Borja Sr. said of the almost half-billion projects in the radar of the municipal government, half or P266.7 million are on-going projects.
The biggest is the construction of the new municipal building fronting the old municipal hall costing P70 million.

The new municipal hall, which is funded through a loan from the Philippine National Bank, is now 50 percent complete. It is expected to be completed in October.

Borja said road concreting of the 2.7 km Malbang Road, worth P30 million is now complete while those of the P40-million, 3.5 km Conversion Road, the P29-million, 2.8 km Ganduz-Sampaloc Road and the P15-million, 1.2 km Cadaclan-Napon-Napon Road are in various stages of completion. Base preparations have also been completed for the P25-million, two-km Marikit Road as well as the two-km East Poblacion Road.

He said the municipal government is also constructing two to four-classroom schoolbuildings in Barangays East Poblacion, San Juan, Poblacion West, Marikit and Malbang and a Health Center in Villarica which will service the adjacent barangays of Malbang and Liberty.

Henry Pascual, acting municipal planning and development coordinator, said construction activities are now going on without let-up in this town, which is being hyped as a miniature version of the country’s summer capital owing to its relatively cold climate and for being a potential tourist mecca.

Borja said the municipal government is negotiating a P40-million loan for the provision of potable water systems in Barangays Liberty, Malbang, Villarica, East Poblacion and West Poblacion.

The Sangguniang Bayan has approved the loan package which would enable 2,500 families to avail of potable drinking water.

Borja said that at present, local residents only buy mineral for their drinking needs since the main water lines installed by the National Irrigation Administration are not suited for drinking purposes because these are made up of asbestos which is known to cause cancer.

The lack of drinking water for residents is considered an irony as the town hosts the mammoth Pantabangan Dam which supplies hydroelectric water to around 102,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Central Luzon.

Another loan worth P70 million is being worked out for the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the municipality to provide for facilities in all schools in the town.

The local government, Borja added, is also negotiating with the Japanese government for P54-million in grants for construction of farm-to-market roads and with the Department of Agriculture for installation of water pumps worth P70,000 each.

Asturiano

April 2nd, 2008, 01:48 AM

i used to live talavera just 15 minutes drive from cabanatuan city

barrera_marquez

April 2nd, 2008, 02:09 AM

Sabi nila Nueva Ecija is the "Rice Bowl of the Philippines" pero ngayong nagkakaubusan ng palay, hindi malaman kung sapat ang aanihin sa susunod na buwan.

Isa pa, kapag rice shortage ba, sa NFA lang iyon o lahatan pati commercial rice millers kasi parang napapansin ko mabilis maubos ang NFA pero yung commercial parang walang pinagbago sa presyo.

GearX

April 3rd, 2008, 10:40 AM

Abucay Mega Market and Trade Center

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/subdivisions/abucay1.gif

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/subdivisions/abucay2.gif

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/subdivisions/abucay3.gif

tracymack

April 3rd, 2008, 10:55 AM

^^Nice! Is this structure already under construction?

Asturiano

April 4th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Nueva ecija used to be the rice bowl of the country but now the province of Isabel has surpassed Nueva ecija as the main producer of rice in the country.

Asturiano

April 4th, 2008, 12:43 AM

Nueva Ecija used to be the rice bowl of the country but since then it has lost its title because the province of Isabela has surpassed the province in term of rice production

barrera_marquez

April 4th, 2008, 12:55 AM

Nueva Ecija used to be the rice bowl of the country but since then it has lost its title because the province of Isabela has surpassed the province in term of rice production

Last year, the news was somewhat funny. The water dropped in Magat Dam and rice production halted. One of the reasons of the rice crisis here.

allan_dude

April 4th, 2008, 05:12 PM

Govt to spend $800m to revive Bataan nuke plant

SINGAPORE—The Philippine government may invite investors to restore the nuclear power plant in Bataan at a cost of about $800 million to meet rising demand for power, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said here yesterday.

“We are seriously considering rehabilitating our mothballed nuclear power plant to help in our efforts to move away from fossil fuels,” Reyes said.

But the energy secretary said the 600-megawatt nuclear reactor could only begin operations in five to six years because the feasibility study alone would take two years, and putting the plant into actual operation would take another five years.

Reyes said the International Atomic Energy Agency visited the Bataan plant in February and allowed the government to go ahead with rehabilitation.

The Philippines, which depends on oil and coal for a large portion of its energy needs, plans to focus on renewable energy and cleaner-burning fuels including natural gas, Reyes said. The country is selling part of the state power assets in a plan to open the electricity market.

“It’s one of the markets in Asia which is furthest in its reform of the power sector,” said Erik Knive, chief executive officer of SN Power Singapore, which has invested $850 million in two hydroelectric plants in the Philippines.

The government might pass a renewable energy bill this year to lay a framework for investments in non-fossil fuel, Reyes said.

“The bill will help attract foreign investments,” Reyes said.

The government might sell 70 percent of the state power assets by August to offer customers a choice of electricity providers, Reyes said.

The government had sold 49 percent so far and raised $2 billion, he said.

The Philippines will allow large industries consuming more than 1,000 megawatts to choose their power supplier starting next year, Rauf Tan, commissioner of the Philippines’ Energy Regulatory Commission, said on April 1. Smaller consumers could select their supplier in five years.

In February, Reyes led a planning session for a 20-year energy program for the country, and nuclear power is one of the options being considered.

He downplayed safety issues over the nuclear plant itself because South Korea, where Westinghouse built a plant similar to the Bataan facility, has been operating for 20 years and has been rehabilitated to operate for another 30 years.

“The $2.3-billion loan used to put up the country’s nuclear plant was completely settled in April last year,” he said. Bloomberg (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news5_april4_2008)

c0kelitr0

April 5th, 2008, 01:28 AM

ano yung 20 and 10 stories na towers sa subic? nasa headline ng Inquirer? seems nobody knows about the project until now?

allan_dude

April 5th, 2008, 10:06 AM

http://images.inquirer.net/img/thumbnails/new/hea/pag/img/2008/04/20080405.jpg

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/pageoneimage/

tj_brewed

April 5th, 2008, 10:55 AM

http://images.inquirer.net/img/thumbnails/new/hea/pag/img/2008/04/20080405.jpg

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/pageoneimage/

This is what i was asking about few months ago. On our way to Subic, kitang kita ang u/c na to. yung visible is the 20 storey skyscraper. It seems like nasa tuktok ng bundok from our vantage point.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/pic-04050624140925.jpg

Asturiano

April 7th, 2008, 04:58 AM

lightning099

April 7th, 2008, 05:54 AM

Iba, Zambales

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2361633360_14a90c816c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2360877897_5bd78b3b37.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2361664722_d7eb6e0dfa.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2377510124_aa14007518.jpg

lightning099

April 7th, 2008, 06:26 AM

Iba, Zambales

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2373707966_7fccb1fb4d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2372827923_5c0caed638.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2373439402_0577a5acba.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l140/lightning099/309.jpg

barrera_marquez

April 7th, 2008, 10:44 AM

one of the reason being is that our country didn't have a lot of land to plant rice. our harvest is just too small to feed a population of more than 80 millions peoples all dependent on single diet which is rice, I think we should look at the alternatives diet such as corn, sweet potato, and wheat which is the diet of european and american.

two solutions for this problem:
learn to eat bread in every meal and reduce rice consumption (mataas na ang tinapay, short-term lang ito)
o
bawasan ang paglilibang (alam niyo na iyon! :))

Asturiano

April 10th, 2008, 04:48 AM

barrera_marquez

April 10th, 2008, 06:19 AM

We can substitute rice for bread and corn and still have problem because the population keeps growing. We can only eliminates the food crisis if we maintain a population that our country can support. if the government want a long term solution we need to target the core of the problem the population. By controlling the population we can reduce poverty and improved the economy which mean better standard of living for all of us.

sabi ng simbahan, hindi raw population ang problema, mismanagement. ang problema, tinatakpan ng simbahan ang tunay na problema. kaya kung patuloy na magmamatigas ito, kahit gaano kaganda ang management natin, wala pa rin kung patuloy namang lumalaki ang population. hindi naman sila sang-ayon sa pagpatay o giyera para ma-manage ang populasyon. yeah, wars curb population growth and the population itself.

barrera_marquez

April 11th, 2008, 10:06 AM

Lawyer Alejandro R. Abesamis, provincial administrator and legal officer, called as "disruptive" the acts of Vice Gov. Edward Thomas F. Joson in canceling last March 14 the appointments of six chiefs of offices appointed by Gov. Aurelio M. Umali and replacing them with former Joson administration officials.

Gov. Aurelio M. Umali went on leave to go the United States and Singapore from March 12 to 25 for personal reasons. The leave was authorized by Interior and Local Government Sec. Ronaldo V. Puno.

In Umali's absence, Joson took over as acting governor last March 13. The following day, he issued 20 memoranda canceling or suspending Umali's appointees and reinstating former chiefs of offices.

Among the Umali appointees affected were Leoncio A. Daniel, OIC of the provincial social welfare and development office who was replaced by Zoilo Pangilinan; Eng. Vicente Santos, OIC, provincial engineer, replaced by Eng. Edgardo Gabata; Eng. Roque Roberto Leoncio, OIC, provincial general services office replaced by Arthur Serdeña; Ma. Cristina G. Roxas, OIC, provincial accounting office, replaced by Romeo del Mundo; Mary Grace L. Irabagon, OIC, provincial tourism office, replaced by Annaliza A. Eugenio; Eng. Maximo A. Borja, OIC, provincial environment and natural resources office, replaced by Jose N. Quiseng

Abesamis admitted that Joson had the legal capacity to "automatically exercise the powers and perform the duties" of the governor but questioned what he termed the "disruptive effect" of Joson's actions.

He said that official business transactions stopped arising from the confusion as to which official to follow, especially in the payments of salaries.

Abesamis said that Joson, as acting governor, was prohibited by the Local Government Code from exercising the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss employees which can only be done if the period of temporary incapacity of the governor exceeds 30 working days.

He advised various department heads and employees to maintain the status quo ante while awaiting the result of a legal inquiry that he made to the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Civil Service Commission on the legality of Joson's actions.

Umali's panel of lawyers also considered filing a court suit for mandamus to contest the legality of Joson's actions.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tarantado talaga itong si Joson, masyadong pa-epal sa mga mabubuting gawain ni Gov. Umali, nagbakasyon lang, feeling siya ang governor, hoy Acting Governor ka lang habang wala ang governor! Parang pumasok tapos suspended ka ng wala kang ginagawa. Aray!

NOVO ECIJANO

April 11th, 2008, 10:29 AM

San Juan Sur

what a pleasant surprise,im from Concepcion,Cabiao,San Juan is in town proper,right?

lightsaber46

April 13th, 2008, 01:48 PM

$11.5-M retirement haven eyed in Clark
Sunday, April 13, 2007
PEOPLES JOURNAL TONIGHT
Bernard Galang

CLARK FREEPORT- A Korean firm is set to build what is dubbed as "Hollywood Park," a retirement haven for both Filipinos and expatriates inside the bustling Clark Freeport, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced.

CDC president Liberato P. Laus said the state-owned corporation has signed a lease agreement with A-Tech Korea Company, Ltd.- a construction firm based in Korea.

Laus said the firm is set to develop a retirement haven for Koreans, Taiwanese, Japanese, Filipinos, and other foreign nationalities in a 3.2-hectare are along the areas of Malago, Quitangil, O' Donnel and Pasig Potrero Sts.

At the CDC Corporate Headquarters, Laus Signed the Lease agreement with Eung II "Steve" Kim, director of A-Tech Korea. They were also joined by the firm's chairman and CEO, Jeon Min Kwon, and CDC officials led by Excutive Vice President Philip Jose Panlilio.

Laus added that A-Tech Korea will be investing $6.5million for the project, which is expected to employ at least 250 personnel.

Meanwhile , a leading Korean firm will be pouring $5 million for a tourism and recreational projects to be established inside the sprawling Clark Freeport, CDC officials announced.

Laus said the state-owned corporation has signed a lease agreement with CPR Plam Resorts Corporation for the development of high-end residential villas and other recreational facilities.

Laus and Kang Jae Hwan, president of CPR, signed the agreement at the CDC Corporate Headquarters here together with the Korean firm's treasurer Huong Soo Jung and Project Architect Mario Edwin Diaz.

The CDC president said Kang is the major stockholder of TKC Construction, a Korea-based firm responsible for building 30 highrise building in Korea.

"This is yet another major project infused by Koreans to the Clark Freeport, making this former U.S. military facility a tourista haven north of Manila," Laus said.

allan_dude

April 13th, 2008, 01:57 PM

^^ Clark is in Pampanga

whippersnapper

April 14th, 2008, 07:32 AM

yup. naliligaw ang post

Asturiano

April 14th, 2008, 11:02 PM

sabi ng simbahan, hindi raw population ang problema, mismanagement. ang problema, tinatakpan ng simbahan ang tunay na problema. kaya kung patuloy na magmamatigas ito, kahit gaano kaganda ang management natin, wala pa rin kung patuloy namang lumalaki ang population. hindi naman sila sang-ayon sa pagpatay o giyera para ma-manage ang populasyon. yeah, wars curb population growth and the population itself.

Its about time that our government should make a strong stand against the bishops of the church and to remind them that there is a separation of church and state in the constitution. Its been too long that they have been mingling with politics and its about time to tell them enough is enough and let the government do their job of governing while they do theirs also of preaching about faith not politics because the two don't get along together. if they can't see that the population is the problem perhaps they are blind or they just don't want to accept the truth.

Asturiano

April 14th, 2008, 11:12 PM

barrera_marquez

April 15th, 2008, 01:35 AM

I don't understand why my fellow nueva ecijano kept voting for the joson. Yong mga joson na iyan masyadong lumaki ang ulo nila, kala kasi nila kanila na ang buong nueva ecija. Sa tatlongpung taon silang naka puesto ano ba ang nagawa nila. kaya dapat hayaan naman nila si gov. umali na gawin yong tungkulin niya without them interfering.

ang siste sa Nueva Ecija, kung hindi palay ay malamang baril. Hindi niyo ba napapansin, madalas makita ang Palayan City at Cabanatuan City sa listahan ng election hotspots tuwing elections.

Waldenstrom

April 15th, 2008, 12:04 PM

http://images.inquirer.net/img/thumbnails/new/hea/pag/img/2008/04/20080405.jpg

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/pageoneimage/

sobrang ganda ng location! :D

tracymack

April 17th, 2008, 08:02 AM

Nueva Ecija rice millers stop buying palay as costs rise
By Anselmo Roque
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080416-130842/Nueva-Ecija-rice-millers-stop-buying-palay-as-costs-rise)

SAN JOSE CITY – Rice mill owners have stopped buying palay (rough rice), citing diminishing capital and the low demand for milled rice from outlets, particularly in Metro Manila.

“Our combined capital can only buy up to 60 percent of the usual volume of palay that we buy during harvest time,” Edgardo Alfonso, president of the San Jose City Ricemillers Association, said.

He said rice millers here used to buy up to 11 million metric tons of rough rice every year. The palay that they buy is milled and sold in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.

“Our hands are tied and we cannot move on any further,” Alfonso said.

This city has the most number of rice mills in Luzon. The owners, who mill rice year-round, usually send agents to various places in northern Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya to buy the farmers’ palay harvest.

Slow recovery

Not anymore.

“Our P2-billion combined capital was enough then as the palay buying price was from P9 to P10 per kilogram only,” Alfonso said. “But now that it reached more than P19 per kilogram, we can buy only a portion of what we used to buy.”

What aggravated the situation was the low demand for milled rice.

Traders usually use the money they earn selling milled rice to buy more palay. Because the demand is low, it takes them longer now to sell milled rice, which in turn prevents them from buying more palay.

“We are accused of manipulating the buying price of palay to earn more.”

He said: “That’s not true. What we want to do is to continue buying palay so that we can mill and sell rice continuously. Our buying capacity is not that strong anymore.”

The fear of being raided by government agents on suspicion of hoarding is always there, he said. But he said they could not hoard as they should be regularly supplying their outlets.

Asked about the increase in the buying price of rice, Alfonso said the “noise” about the alleged rice crisis, or very low supply of rice, in the world market created panic and speculation by some traders.

Panic-buying

“There was panic-buying of rice. Speculators also bought rice and kept supplies to be sold later at a very high price,” he said.

He said government officials also sent wrong signals to the public about the real rice situation. They even surprised the public about the decision to increase the buying price of palay by the National Food Authority from P12 to P17 per cavan.

It was only recently that the government announced there was no rice crisis. But it came too late, Alfonso said, adding that prices of rough rice and milled rice had already gone up.

For rice farmers, it was good as they would now earn more, he said. But for non-rice producers, they would be affected very much especially during the lean months, he said.

As a rule of thumb, the price of milled rice is pegged by the millers at double the buying price of palay.

Enough rice

“If we bought the palay at P17 per kilogram, the price of the milled rice should be P34 per kilogram. But look what’s happening. The buyers prefer the much cheaper rice now,” he said.

In Urdaneta City, the mayor said that even if farmers would not plant rice in the next one and a half years, residents would still have enough rice to eat.

Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said his city had been producing more than enough rice for its 130,000 residents. “If only our farm produce or harvest in palay would remain in Urdaneta, that is more than enough to sustain Urdaneta residents for one and a half years,” he said.

But he said this had not been the case because after harvest, farmers would sell their produce. “This time, I have been emphatic in telling our farmers not to sell all their palay. Retain one half,” he said.

Dalisay Moya, officer in charge of the provincial agriculture office in Lingayen town, said Urdaneta produced 25,023 metric tons of rice last year.

allan_dude

April 18th, 2008, 09:47 PM

SAT investing $500M in telecom project in Subic

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

UK-based Malaysian firm Stratospheric Airship Technologies Sdn Bhd (SAT) is investing $500 million in the Subic Bay Freeport, northwest of Manila, to build communication airships designed to augment telecom facilities in the Philippines, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said Tuesday.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza recently signed a memorandum of agreement on the project with SAT managing director Bryn Lloyd Williams, the SBMA said in a statement.

Under the plan, SAT intends to build solar-powered commercial airships that will carry broadband and telecommunications equipment.

Williams said the high-altitude unmanned airships would provide communications links covering the entire country—a new trend that has promising prospects in view of the telecommunications industry’s rapid growth.

“The key technological advantage here is that we don’t need the ground infrastructure which is too costly and sometimes, very difficult to install. In some places, it gets stoned or vandalized, and weather conditions interfere with its performance,” Williams said.

Williams said the airships would operate at a height of 65,000-70,000 feet—high above the clouds and air movement. During their 15-year life span, the airships will be brought down once every five years for repairs.

The UK firm is targeting the likes of mobile phone firm Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. as potential clients.

“We’re talking to Globe and Smart and they have expressed a high level of interest to augment their land-based and satellite systems,” Williams revealed.

The SBMA said it had allocated a 10-hectare property at the Subic Bay International Airport for SAT.

The space is currently used by Federal Express as a hub for its Asian operations, but FedEx will be transferring its Asian hub to Guangzhou, China, by the end of the year.

After FedEx moves out, SAT would move in with large warehouses, hangars and its big single-spanned building, the SBMA said.

“When the SAT project pushes through, we will see Subic as a high-tech manufacturing center, and this fits very well with what we are trying to do,” Arreza said.

“Our objective is to really expand development in the Subic Freeport and the surrounding regions. With the opening of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), we hope to have more manufacturing jobs move along the expressway,” Arreza added.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20080416-130642/SAT-investing-500M-in-telecom-project-in-Subic

Pinoy_ako

April 20th, 2008, 10:11 AM

what a pleasant surprise,im from Concepcion,Cabiao,San Juan is in town proper,right?

Yes, it is along the main road, between the Municipal Hall and the Church, but they have their own fiesta, which is different from that of the town proper. Concepcion is at the other side of the river? which can be reached by a bamboo foot bridge?

NOVO ECIJANO

April 20th, 2008, 03:11 PM

Yes, it is along the main road, between the Municipal Hall and the Church, but they have their own fiesta, which is different from that of the town proper. Concepcion is at the other side of the river? which can be reached by a bamboo foot bridge?

No,Concepcion is popularly known as "Hacienda" it's next to San Vicente,which is the boundary of Pampanga.

Pinoy_ako

April 21st, 2008, 10:44 AM

No,Concepcion is popularly known as "Hacienda" it's next to San Vicente,which is the boundary of Pampanga.

I'm only familiar with Sta. Rita. Is it the site of the resort ? Is it one of the barrios with swampy grounds, just like Lourdes?

Are your forebears also Kapampangan?

NOVO ECIJANO

April 21st, 2008, 06:12 PM

I'm only familiar with Sta. Rita. Is it the site of the resort ? Is it one of the barrios with swampy grounds, just like Lourdes?

Are your forebears also Kapampangan?

Its not swampy,it is along the national highway next to Sta Rita if you're coming from town proper.I speak Pampango and majority of the folks here.FYI our place used to be part of Pampanga.

barrera_marquez

April 24th, 2008, 02:08 AM

Majority of Novo Ecijanos are considered Kapampangans, while some are Ilokanos. The rest are Tagalogs.

barrera_marquez

April 24th, 2008, 02:13 AM

MANILA, Philippines -- Government officials have monitored signs that prices of commercial rice should be on their way down, but they acknowledged that the farmers have been placed at a disadvantage.

Frisco Malabanan, director of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (Golden Bountiful Harvest) Rice program, said that as of Tuesday, farm gate prices of wet palay in Nueva Ecija have been monitored at around P14 to P14.50 a kilo.

He said that commercially, this farmgate price should translate into about P30 a kilo of milled rice, lower than the current prices, which have been hovering around P32 to P34 a kilo.

Malabanan, however, attributed the low farmgate prices of palay to the decision of traders to stop buying in the meantime. "This may be a strategy for them to bring down prices of palay," he said.

Currently, the NFA's buying price is at P17 a kilo, of which P6 consist of the various incentives granted to farmers and farmers organizations.

NFA Assistant Administrator Conrado Ibañez said traders stopped buying palay because millers were also hesitant to stock up on rice, due to the government’s ongoing campaign against rice hoarders.

"A lower buying price -- which translates to lower commercial prices of rice -- may be good and will protect consumers, but what about farmers? How can you encourage them to plant more?"

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Sumasadsad na ang presyo ng commercial rice.
:banana:, :banana:, :banana:

Diyos ko, kahit anong taas ng presyo ng bigas, nalulugi pa rin ang mga magsasaka. Kailangan talagang masulusyunan ang problema ng mga magsasaka.

igi_master

April 24th, 2008, 06:35 AM

Licab Nueva Ecija

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/41100/2625416060041605593S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2625416060041605593VwXpfo)

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/24244/2522892370041605593S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2522892370041605593sYISTi)

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/43395/2446997340041605593S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2446997340041605593RGRZpM)

barrera_marquez

April 24th, 2008, 08:39 AM

Pinoy_ako

April 24th, 2008, 11:19 AM

Its not swampy,it is along the national highway next to Sta Rita if you're coming from town proper.I speak Pampango and majority of the folks here.FYI our place used to be part of Pampanga.

Yes, the area, as far as Aliaga and Gapan, used to be part of Pampanga.

My grandparents also speak Kapampangan, but I was not able to learn much since I only visit the place during Holy Week and May 16, the town fiesta.

barrera_marquez

April 24th, 2008, 12:57 PM

Asturiano

April 24th, 2008, 09:18 PM

pareho lang tayo, ako nga sa thread ng Angeles City and Pampanga ni-respond ako sa Kapampangan medyo nahirapan akong intindihin pero naintidihan ko pa rin kahit papaano. Sa Cabanatuan City din ginaganyan ako. I could somewhat understand Kapampangan but I cannot speak it.

Now, this is a silly question but I need to ask this, do we have nightlife places (e.g. bars, nightclubs, restaurants, etc.) to enjoy here in Cabanatuan City?

yes, Cabanatuan is a city of quarter a million people, of course, there are some nightclubs for teens and adult and plenty of restaurants just like in other big cities in the philippines

Asturiano

April 24th, 2008, 09:33 PM

[QUOTE=barrera_marquez;19966200]Majority of Novo Ecijanos are considered Kapampangans, while some are Ilokanos. The rest are Tagalogs.[/QU

The majority of nueva ecijan are Tagalog. The Tagalog speaking towns start from half of the Science City of Munoz all the way to Gapan while the Northern part of the province comprises of 11 towns and one city are majority Ilokano speaking towns. There are few towns like Cabiao and San Antonio and Aliaga that has sizable kapangpangan speaker.

Asturiano

April 24th, 2008, 10:03 PM

I didn't know that Licab have a very beautiful plaza even though it is consider one of the poorest town in nueva ecija

barrera_marquez

April 25th, 2008, 01:00 AM

I didn't know that Licab have a very beautiful plaza even though it is consider one of the poorest town in nueva ecija

hindi lang one of the poorest, one of the noisiest (yeah, madalas daw ang shootout dito at malakas daw ang illegal firearms dito, not confirmed of myself pero mas malala pa raw sa nangyari sa Tondo)

@Asturiano:
thanks!

Teka, hindi ba nagtangkang maging HUC ang Cabanatuan City? Anong nangyari?

NOVO ECIJANO

April 25th, 2008, 09:46 AM

pareho lang tayo, ako nga sa thread ng Angeles City and Pampanga ni-respond ako sa Kapampangan medyo nahirapan akong intindihin pero naintidihan ko pa rin kahit papaano. Sa Cabanatuan City din ginaganyan ako. I could somewhat understand Kapampangan but I cannot speak it.

Now, this is a silly question but I need to ask this, do we have nightlife places (e.g. bars, nightclubs, restaurants, etc.) to enjoy here in Cabanatuan City?

maraming pagkakaiba sa salita sa Pampango ng mga nasa Pampanga kaysa sa amin sa Nueva Ecija marami akong hindi naintindihan.mas malalin ang salita nila.

barrera_marquez

April 25th, 2008, 09:50 AM

halata naman pati yung mga spelling ng ibang salita mo may mali (joke!) pero talagang magiging mas malalim ang nasa Pampanga kasi talagang Kapampangan ang salita nila, unlike dito sa Nueva Ecija nahaluan na ng Ilokano at Tagalog.

At saka since mukhang ako ang kausap mo, nagtataka ako kung bakit "sa amin" ang salitang ginamit mo. Dapat "sa atin" dahil Novo Ecijano rin ako... Pampanga lang ang nasa location ko pero may dugong Novo Ecijano rin ako.

Pinoy_ako

April 25th, 2008, 02:20 PM

Ang mom ko na galing sa Tagalog-speaking town, akala ko malalim ang Tagalog niya. Yun pala, mga Kapampangan words ang ginagamit nila na naturalized na sa idiom ng Tagalog, although hindi na nila alam na Kapampangan pala iyon.

allan_dude

April 27th, 2008, 10:11 PM

Arroyo intensifies Scad Council

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has strengthened the two-year-old Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (Scad) Council as the "single body" that will harmonize the strategies of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).

In Executive Order (EO) 504-A, the President cited the "need to strengthen and enhance the powers and capabilities of the Scad Council as the single body with a fulltime head to rationalize resources and harmonize strategies."

The Scad Council will be headed by a chairman with the rank of a Cabinet member.

The President added that the strengthened Scad "will ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to the development of the Scad corridor as a world-class mega-logistics hub and a global gateway to the Asia Pacific Region."

EO 504-A, which amends EO 504, series of 2006, also highlighted the "need to clearly define and state the powers and functions of the Scad Council and the Office of the Chairman in order to effectively deal directly with the concerned agencies under its supervision."

Placed under the supervision of the Scad Council are the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Clark International Airport Corporation (Ciac).

"The Office of the President, through the Scad Council chairman, with Cabinet rank, shall exercise policy oversight" over the four agencies "in so far as the development of Clark, Subic and the Corridor them into a major logistics hub is concerned."

The Scad Council shall "formulate policies and programs to develop Subic, Clark, and the corridor in-between them as (a) globally competitive Mega-Logistics Hub" and "review, identify and recommend priority infrastructure projects for implementation."

The council will also "formulate common investment promotions activities; and harmonize in the SBFZ and CFZ such programs, policies, rules and regulations affecting investments, incentives, customs, immigration, leasing, privatization, and other matters related thereto."

To be appointed by the President, the Scad Council chairman "shall be a member of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)," with the secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as vice chairman.

The other members of the council are the chairmen and presidents of the BCDA, CDC and Ciac, and the chairman and administrator of the SBMA.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/04/28/news/arroyo.intensifies.scad.council.html

allan_dude

April 28th, 2008, 07:35 AM

Palay harvest seen to reach DA target of 7.3 million MT

By Marianne V. Go
Monday, April 28, 2008

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics has estimated actual palay production for the dry season to amount to seven million metric tons, according to Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap.

Following a meeting with rice millers and grains traders, Yap said that preliminary figures already indicate that some 6.85 million MT have already been harvested, putting the Agriculture Department well in sight in meeting its 7.3 million MT target production.

Even so, Yap said the DA is bent on further raising palay yields, particularly in the country’s top 10 palay-growing provinces which account for almost half of the national output.

To sustain and even boost the high yields in most provinces, Yap said the DA would expand its intervention programs under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice Program, especially in the top palay-growing.

Nueva Ecija tops the list of provinces with the highest palay yield last year, followed by Isabela, Pangasinan, Iloilo, Cagayan, Leyte, Camarines Sur, Tarlac, North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Nueva Ecija produced 1.356 million MT of rice in 2007; Isabela, 1.036 million MT; Pangasinan, 1.011 million MT; Iloilo, 823,376 MT; Cagayan, 702,561 MT; Leyte, 582,840 MT; Camarines Sur, 560,809 MT; Tarlac, 557,943 MT; North Cotabato, 449,202 MT; and Maguindanao, 433,766 MT.

The leading palay producers accounted for 46.2 percent of the total national rice output in 2007, according to Frisco Malabanan, the national coordinator of the GMA-Rice Program.

Palay production totaled 16.24 million MT in 2007 and is expected to reach another peak of 17.32 million MT this year, with 40 percent or 7.1 million MT already expected to be harvested this dry season.

Malabanan said the DA would carry out the following intervention measures this year under the GMA Rice Program.

• Expansion of areas planted with hybrid seeds and certified seeds, coupled with location-specific measures such as farm inputs like Bio-N, zinc sulfate and other soil ameliorants;

• Restoration of irrigation facilities;

• Provision of post-harvest drying facilities;

• Planting of certified seeds in 600,000 hectares of rain-fed lowlands and low-yielding irrigated areas, which will focus on the priority provinces covered by the President’s Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP);

• Third cropping season under the quick turnaround (QTA) program to cover 92,000-100,000 hectares of fully irrigated areas using hybrid and inbred certified seeds; and

• Planting of hybrids and inbred certified seeds in restored and newly third cropping season under the quick turnaround program to cover 100,000 hectares of fully irrigated areas using hybrid and inbred certified seeds.

Yap earlier bared plans to embark on a subsidy program to encourage farmers to plant hybrid seeds and use more fertilizers, particularly the organic types.

Hybrid seeds cost more but produce an average of six to seven MT per hectare as against the per-hectare average of 4.5 tons for certified seeds.

The use of more hybrid seeds and fertilizers was among the initial recommendations of the Eminent Persons Group, an advisory group comprising ex-DA secretaries and other farm experts that Yap created recently to help oversee the implementation of FIELDS.

FIELDS is the P43.7-billion program for massive crop production that President Arroyo laid out at the National Food Summit last April 4. It stands for Fertilizers, Irrigation, Extension and Education, Loans, Dryers and Seeds.

Yap said a food production masterplan is being drawn up by the DA with experts from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB) along with the Eminent Persons Group.

http://philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008042713&type=2

barrera_marquez

April 28th, 2008, 11:44 AM

Asturiano

April 28th, 2008, 08:23 PM

Wow! Balik na ang title ng Nueva Ecija bilang "Rice Bowl of the Philippines!". Novo Ecijanos Rejoice!

Pero sana talaga magamit na natin yung hybrid rice na galing sa PhilRice (nakabase sa Science City of Munoz) para dumoble ang production natin ng bigas.

wow!! that's a great news. i heard from the news lately, that this guy from munoz became an instant millionaire because of the high yield of rice harvest with the help of high prices of rice in the market due to rice shortage. our farms has also produce a high yield of harvest averaging 130canvans per hectare and this is not a hybrid.

Pinoy_ako

April 29th, 2008, 06:53 AM

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/663/housetz0.jpg

Argueably, I believe this house, formerly known as the Tinio, or Sideco house, is one of the finest bahay na bato ever built in the Philippines. Emilio Aguinaldo stayed in this house when San Isidro was the capital of the Philippines.

allan_dude

April 30th, 2008, 01:51 AM

Forum on SCAD mega-logistics hub held in Bataan

BALANGA City -- Sec. Edgardo Pamintuan of The Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) Council recently said that SCAD is implementing a master plan that will make the Philippines at par with other logistics center in the Asia-Pacific Region like Singapore, Hongkong, Bangkok, Japan and South Korea.

Pamintuan who is SCAD Center chairman, said that a SCAD corridor was created composed of areas in Subic and Clark Freeport Zones 17 municipalities and four cities in the provinces of Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga

As a logistics center, the council shall be utilizing the seaport of Subic and the airport of Clark linked by the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway that will be opened to the public this April, Pamintuan said.

The SCAD corridor with a mega-logistics hub has a single, contiguous geographic and economic growth corridor providing world-class logistics infrastructure and services.

Pamintuan said with the opening of the SCTEx, they have held meetings in Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan and soon in Pampanga to impart to the people knowledge about the program.

People just hear about SCAD but what it is all about is still not clear to them, he said.

Municipal officials and representatives of the academe, business and non-governmental organizations attended the discussion in Balanga City.

Gov. Enrique Garcia said that the SCTEx and the SCAD program are to benefit six existing industrial zones in Bataan, namely: Bataan Economic Zone and PNOC Alternative Fuels Corporation in Mariveles; Bataan Technology Park in Morong, Hermosa Special Economic Zone and DND Defense Industrial Estate and Petron Bataan Refinery in Limay.

Other petroleum industry players Total-Philippines, Unioil and LiquiGaz have also their respective operations in Limay or Mariveles.

Investors in the province instead of shipping their products or receiving raw materials through the Manila port or the Manila International Airport (MIA) will be making use of the Subic Bay Freeport and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Angeles City that is free from the monstrous traffic and only a few minutes drive, the Bataan governor said.

To conveniently connect the industries to the SCETEx, Garcia said that the rehabilitation of the Bataan Expressway and the establishment of a transshipment port in Mariveles have to be undertaken soonest.

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1446535/

allan_dude

April 30th, 2008, 01:53 AM

P4.5-b Masinloc port rehab obtains incentives from BoI

Rizhao Development Corp., a Filipino-Chinese company, is investing P4.499 billion to rehabilitate the old Masinloc port in anticipation of demand with the revival of existing and new mines in Zambales province.

“The company is rehabilitating the existing port in Masinloc by rebuilding new port facilities in anticipation of the re-opening of closed mines as well as new ones in Zambales,” said Trade Undersecretary Elmer Hernandez.

The Board of Investments approved the registration of the project and granted it fiscal incentives, including income tax holiday.

The project, which expects to generate 740 new jobs, is scheduled to start commercial operations in July next year.

The company is 60 percent owned by Filipinos led by businessman John Don Daily. Chinese investors own 40 percent.

Hernandez, who is also managing head of the investments board, said the Masinloc port had stopped operations.

The project involves the rebuilding of port facilities and the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and raw land. It will need around 2.5 hectares for fore shore area.

The company proposes to construct seven berths, three of which are mixed berths with 5,000-metric ton capacity mainly for mixed cargo exports, while another four berths will have a capacity of 3,500 MT to 4,000 MT for ore exports.

“The port will primarily service the mining industry. It is a private port. However, the law provides that private ports must also be allowed for public use,” said Hernandez.

Zambales used to host the Acoje Mining, the Masinloc Mine and the old copper mine of Benguet Corp. No mining company is currently operating in the area.

Zambales is rich in mineral deposits such as nickel and chromite. Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business3_april29_2008

barrera_marquez

May 1st, 2008, 01:02 PM

Guys may tanong lang ako, may ospital ba tayo rito sa Palayan City? Isyung-isyu kasi yung kawalan ng ospital sa Victoria, Tarlac.

CabanNgTuwa

May 1st, 2008, 03:45 PM

Guys may tanong lang ako, may ospital ba tayo rito sa Palayan City? Isyung-isyu kasi yung kawalan ng ospital sa Victoria, Tarlac.

Guys, meron yata pero small district extension hospital lang IMHO

up ko lang NE pics:
Mega:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Nueva_Ecija_Megacenter.jpg
http://megacenter.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/megacenterfacade2.jpg?w=250&h=150

CabanNgTuwa

May 1st, 2008, 03:47 PM

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6227/ne20strip20mallqn9.jpg

CabanNgTuwa

May 1st, 2008, 04:00 PM

the newly rejuvenated old capitol building in Burgos Ave., Cabanatuan City
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2216/cabcity2018uy3.jpg

barrera_marquez

May 1st, 2008, 04:01 PM

hehehe ako kumuha nang picture noong Megacenter Mall... anyway, since free license ang ginamit ko sa picture na iyan, you could all use it on any purpose, personal o commercial. kahit nga pagkakitaan ng kung sino man yung pictures ko (wala kayong babayaran sa akin na kahit magkano) na ganyan hindi ako magagalit.

pero next time yung author pakisulat kasi isinulat ko roon yung mga katagang:
Free to use on all purposes as long as credit is given to the author.

Anyway, I have more pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25379667@N07/

Anyway, salamat na rin sa pagsagot sa tanong ko... since baguhan ka I suggest na pumunta ka sa page na ito:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=445067
baka kasi ma-late ka at hindi ka makapagpakilala at hindi mailista agad pangalan mo. Ako December pa lang narito na pero ngayon ko lang nalaman iyan kaya medyo matatagalan pa ang paglista sa pangalan ko... although I know the moderators here are doing their job well.

CabanNgTuwa

May 1st, 2008, 04:11 PM

hehehe ako kumuha nang picture noong Megacenter Mall... anyway, since free license ang ginamit ko sa picture na iyan, you could all use it on any purpose, personal o commercial. kahit nga pagkakitaan ng kung sino man yung pictures ko (wala kayong babayaran sa akin na kahit magkano) na ganyan hindi ako magagalit.

pero next time yung author pakisulat kasi isinulat ko roon yung mga katagang:
Free to use on all purposes as long as credit is given to the author.

Anyway, I have more pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25379667@N07/

Anyway, salamat na rin sa pagsagot sa tanong ko...

ganun ba hehe, nakita ko lang kasi sa website ng wikipedia yan, been there on a daily basis, it seems kasi baka puro bukid ang conception ng mga tao about sa nueva ecija, thanks for the pic haha

On the rural side naman:
Minalungao National Park (rivals Palawan hehe)
http://images.mimimayhem.multiply.com/image/11/photos/2/500x500/29/IMG_0654.JPG?et=Rh1S%2CSb69QcCz0bG8vPiDw&nmid=24254398
http://images.mimimayhem.multiply.com/image/14/photos/2/500x500/33/IMG_0677.JPG?et=vQ5FtPYn%2CkYtpQgxmyyEcQ&nmid=24254398
http://images.mimimayhem.multiply.com/image/12/photos/2/500x500/30/IMG_0660.JPG?et=f%2CHXdWooXQv%2BZeHJpLDRhw&nmid=24254398

CabanNgTuwa

May 1st, 2008, 04:20 PM

baka kasi ma-late ka at hindi ka makapagpakilala at hindi mailista agad pangalan mo. Ako December pa lang narito na pero ngayon ko lang nalaman iyan kaya medyo matatagalan pa ang paglista sa pangalan ko... although I know the moderators here are doing their job well.

will do, bro; BTW, i'm a frequent visitor/lurker of this site hehe, i have also read the posts and comments regarding Vice Gov. Joson's "role" as acting governor when Gov. Umali flew to the States for a breather... natawa nga ako dun sa comment mo about dun sa acts ni Vice Gov Joson eh, +1 ako dun, in fact, kaya lang nagpuputok ang butsi nila eh dahil their dynasty is over haha, totoo naman, hindi naman nila napaganda ang Ecija puro sila lang nagpayaman, sila din may kagagawan bakit pinili Palayan as capital, though pagkakaalam ko si Marcos nag-proclaim yata because of the World Jamboree held there, ****-correct na lang if I'm wrong

San Fernando ka pala bro, palagi ako diyan eh

barrera_marquez

May 2nd, 2008, 01:39 AM

No problem, just tell me if you need more... :)

Kung tutuusin sa case ng Palayan City, that city was in fact a city that looks like more a town. Kaya nagkaroon ng Palayan City ay dahil sa noong 1950s noong panahon pa ni Magsaysay ay pinagpaplanuhan na nila na ilipat (again) ang kabisera ng Nueva Ecija mula Cabanatuan City papunta sa iba't-ibang bayan ng Nueva Ecija (hindi sila nakukuntento sa Cabanatuan City) at napagdesisyunan na ilipat ito sa Government Stock Farm (yung present Palayan City). Noong 1965 ginawa ang Palayan City at yung mga barangay nito ay kinuha mula sa Cabanatuan City at sa Bayan ng Bongabon. Marcos won't proclaim that city if not because of them.

Obviously nakikita ninyo pati yata ang ating butihing Gobernador na si Governor Umali e ayaw sa naging desisyon ng mga iyon dahil sa palagi siyang nakikita sa kapitolyo sa Cabanatuan City at once a week lang siyang kung pumunta sa Palayan City. Not to mention na walang kapitolyo ang Nueva Ecija sa Palayan City hanggang 2002. (mag-session daw ba sa damuhan?)

Kaya nga sana magkaroon man lang ng bill ang mga kongresista natin na magbabalik ng kabisera sa Cabanatuan City pero hindi ito posible sa mga susunod na taon kasi bago lang yung kabisera. Pwede rin i-dissolve natin ang Palayan City at paghaluin sila ng Cabanatuan City pero ayaw namin kasi mababawasan ng isang lungsod ang Nueva Ecija.

Josons, speaking of those. Kaya sila nakilala sa Nueva Ecija dahil sa naganap na "Raid in Cabanatuan," yung pagsalakay sa Cabanatuan Prison Camp sa Barangay Pangatian (yeah yung monumento roon) yung mga Joson ang namuno roon. Utang na loob ng mga Novo Ecijanos sa kanila iyon noong mga panahong iyon pero as time progresses, lumaki naman ang mga ulo nila. Tumakbo nga ang outgoing Governor na si Tomas Joson III bilang Cabanatuan City mayor pero natalo kay Mayor Alvin Vergara.

The Josons, although their gubernatorial dynasty is over. The remaining two, yung isa kongresista at si Vice Governor ay nananatili. Ewan ko lang kung makatagal sila sa 2010.

Speaking of Governor Umali, hindi rin naman mananalo si Umali noong eleksyon kung hindi dahil sa asawa siya ni Congresswoman Czarina Umali at kakampi niya sina Julius Cesar Vergara at Alvin Vergara (yeah, the mayors of Cabanatuan City) kaya naging malakas ang tiket nila. Epektibong nakontrol nila ang BUONG CABANATUAN CITY noong eleksyon. Resulta, lahat ng listahan ng mga opisyales ng Cabanatuan City sa Wikipedia na Congresswoman, Governor, Mayor at Vice Mayor e puro Lakas-CMD. Malakas ang Lakas-CMD sa Cabanatuan City noong mga panahon na iyon. Not to mention hotspot na naman ang Cabanatuan City noong eleksyon.

Pero hanga ako sa pamamalakad ni Governor, may job fair tapos may blood donation pa ng mga tricycle drivers (30,000 Cabanatuan City alone) kaya maganda talaga ang pamumuno at sana nga magpatuloy.

Asturiano

May 2nd, 2008, 02:30 AM

Guys may tanong lang ako, may ospital ba tayo rito sa Palayan City? Isyung-isyu kasi yung kawalan ng ospital sa Victoria, Tarlac.

no, walang hospital, clinic lang sa palayan city sa cabanatuan city sila pumunta pag may emergency o accidente o kaya naman sa bongabon dahil may district hospital yata doon. Kasi parang bayan lang naman yang palayan city ewan ko ba kung bakit ginawang city at saka capital ng nueva ecija yan

barrera_marquez

May 2nd, 2008, 02:35 AM

Asturiano

May 2nd, 2008, 02:41 AM

oo parang malaking barangay na may kaunting building pero meron naman silang maliit na market.

CabanNgTuwa

May 2nd, 2008, 03:32 AM

clinic lang, paano yan kung mamamatay na yung pasyente? ang layo pa naman ng pinakamalapit na ospital sa Palayan na nasa Cabanatuan pa.

fire trucks, baka manggagaling pa sa Cabanatuan iyan?

As for Palayan, I could not even consider it a town. Why? Walang ospital, walang centralized market, mi wala nga yatang simbahan o pulis diyan. Paano ba iyan? Parang barangay nga lang sa tingin ko.

natawa ulit ako dito, i second the motion hehe, in fact iisa lang yata ang gasolinahan sa palayan city, tapos bulok pa yung metro kinakalawang hehe, I am not in a smear campaign against Palayan City pero minsan kasi nagawi ako dun sa Palayan sa farm mismo ni Cong. Fajardo, sa tabi ng Sierra Madre, akyat kami, guess what? Ang dami niyang mga luxury cars at manok na panabong, mga Texas breeds, etc.! tapos yung mga caretakers ng manok puro de-armalite! grabe, eh kung yung Pork Barrel ba naman eh sa development funds inilalagay eh di sana kahit papaano maganda na ang Palayan!

sana naman mabasa ng mga kinauukulan to para maging ok naman ang city nila, kung sabagay sino ba naman mag-iinvest doon eh puro papuntang bundok ang biyahe doon (Aurora), what I just noticed eh puros yung mga along Maharlika Highway going to Cagayan Valley lang na mga towns ang prosperous pero yung out of the way puro farmlands lang

anybody here who has some pics of Guimba, Nueva Ecija? When we went to Baguio, doon kami dumaan (Cuyapo-Baloc Road) and to my amazement, laking gulat ko that Guimba looks more like a miny city than a sleepless town! Who would ever thought na this place is packed with establishments, banks, groceries and a shopping complex! thumbs up ako dito sa town na 'to even though it is situated in the middle of nowhere, a mere 150 kms away from Manila

CabanNgTuwa

May 2nd, 2008, 03:47 AM

The reason is, may constant death threats palagi kay Gov., alam niyo na hehe, daming inggitero sa posisyon eh

You're probably referring to the "late great" Tatang

barrera_marquez

May 2nd, 2008, 07:53 AM

Sabi daw nila (not sure kung totoo) kaya raw hindi umuunlad ang Palayan dahil daw sa palpak na pamamalakad sa development ng lungsod, not to mention daw na may NPA roon. E kung pagpalitin kaya natin sila ng pangalan ng Guimba?

pero kung tutuusin maganda ang tsansa ng Palayan na maging isang munting Baguio kasi maganda ang views at saka medyo mataas ang lugar at malamig. Pero kulang lang talaga ang amenities na dapat ngang taglayin nito kasi ito ang daanan ng mga sasakyang papuntang Aurora.

Nakita niyo na rin siguro yung sementeryo sa tabi ng Barangay Santolan doon sa Palayan? Medyo parang mas marami pa yatang nakalibing doon kaysa sa mga nabubuhay na nakatira roon sa Palayan. Paano ba naman, yung sementeryo siksikan pero yung "city" proper man lang walang masyadong tao. Dati taga-rito ako dahil narito ang lola ko pero nang napuno na siya, bumili siya ng bahay sa Cabanatuan City at doon na lumipat and I am glad that she made that choice dahil isipin niyo bibibyahe muna siya para lang mamalengke o magpa-check up sa doctor sabi ko nga patay na kung emergency case na ang nangyari.

Sa totoo lang tinanong ko nga sa mga colleagues ko kung ano ang kabisera ng Nueva Ecija, they all said, Cabanatuan City. May kapitolyo tayo rito sa Cabanatuan City (under renovation) pero mas malaki ang sa Palayan City.

But still, we need to wait a few more years to see if the situation in Palayan will improve.

Isa pa, maganda yung isang building roon isang sulok ng Palayan City. Ano ba iyon, hotel? Yung kulay puti (hindi ito yung kapitolyo o yung city hall pero malaki at may fountain sa harap) bago ka makarating sa kapitolyo mula Cabanatuan City. Salamat.

Parang city na nga ang Guimba at Santa Rosa sa tingin ko, talo pa Palayan City. No cityhood bills for these towns yet?

Population Count:
Palayan City = 33,506
Guimba = 96,116
Santa Rosa = 58,762

Speaking of death threats, uso naman iyan sa Nueva Ecija. Paano ba naman, kung hindi bigas ang gagalaw malamang bala.

Ito nga pala yung pictures ng Bagong Kapitolyo:
http://www2.mozcom.com/~mic55/kapitolyo/index.html

At ito yung sa Cabanatuan City:
http://nuevaecijajournal.com/galleries.html

CabanNgTuwa

May 2nd, 2008, 10:51 AM

haha maganda nga ang guimba kesa sa palayan, ang daming tao sa guimba unlike sa palayan, like you've mentioned mas marami pa nakalibing sa sementeryo hehe, yun yung zigzag na kalsada that separates Palayan from Cabanatuan, recently napadaan ako sa Gapan (the self-proclaimed Tsinelas Capital of the world) and i just noticed na aside from the bustling trade and industry plus the emergence of a huge Robinsons/Waltermart there, napansin ko ang ganda na rin ng kanilang City Hall! nagulat nga ako, if you'll look closely, may resemblance sa mga buildings sa Ayala, only downside is 3 story lang siya pero made of all-glass structure, ganda eh, post naman natin Gapan

barrera_marquez

May 2nd, 2008, 11:39 AM

Ay marami akong pictures ng Gapan City, ito:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2246/2420862028_46f801749f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/2420860876_b87aa13717.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2420049283_79cfd2880d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2420861688_fc9f72d106.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/2420861328_9a3664209f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2420865164_449539a235.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/2420860592_8860332876.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2420048145_eb6c28815a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2033/2420045505_8e6519c7c0.jpg

Teka nga pala bro, nasaan yung Robinsons? Waltermart lang ang alam kong meron doon.

CabanNgTuwa

May 2nd, 2008, 03:10 PM

nice pics bro, yun palang link mo sa flickr eh kumpleto mula Balintawak hanggang sa Cabanatuan, pati Plaridel at San Miguel yata nasama... yun yatang Robinson's na sinasabi department store section lang inside Waltermart, sorry for the misleading info...

sana may pics din ng San Jose City

CabanNgTuwa

May 2nd, 2008, 03:17 PM

as we can see from the pics above, halos flat pala talaga ang terrain ng Maharlika Highway from San Miguel Bulacan, Gapan, San Leonardo, Sta. Rosa, Cabanatuan City, Talavera, Baloc-Sto Domingo, Munoz, until frontal San Jose City... flat, as in flat, this equates to around an almost 100 kilometers stretch of highway... kaya sobra ang init, malalayo ang mga bundok na sana eh magsilbing shadow sa kalsada... there is a saying na kapag inilagay mo raw sa lupa ang itlog eh iahon mo pagkaraan ng ilang minuto & presto! luto na ang itlog! well, i think this refers to the whole of the Central Luzon and the Philippines as well...

barrera_marquez

May 2nd, 2008, 03:32 PM

CabanNgTuwa

May 2nd, 2008, 05:06 PM

Anyway, may itatayong expressway mula QC hanggang Tuguegarao City at dadaan ito ng Nueva Ecija especially sa Cabanatuan City. Hopefully matuloy ito at hopefully 4 lanes ang lawak ng expressway para bumilis naman ang travel. Naiipit kami ng 3 hours sa tagal ng biyahe mula Manila hanggang Cabanatuan.

Ayon sa sarili kong experience ang travel time mula San Fernando hanggang Cabanatuan ay 3 hours din. Bakit?

Sana nga naman matuloy yang Expressway na yan, pero parang panaginip na lang siguro kasi balita ko hindi pa mabigyan ng go-signal, ano to political interference?

San Fernando-Cabanatuan is only 60-70 kilometers apart, kaya nagtatagal ang biyahe eh dahil sa Km 7 or yung Olongapo-Gapan Road na saksakan ng traffic, halos lahat ng bayan ng NE at Pampanga nandun ang mga public market along the highway; my mom ply this route almost everyday, imagine kung may lateral expressway between SFP & CabCity, yung distance eh parang Balintawak-San Fernando lang, 45 mins! ganun magiging kabilis ang biyahe papuntang regional center ng Central Luzon!
Bro, i think, 160 kms, ang Manila-San Jose

barrera_marquez

May 3rd, 2008, 12:44 AM

CabanNgTuwa

May 3rd, 2008, 04:50 AM

That's 4 1/2 hours... patay tayo roon.

Speaking of the expressway may go signal na at expected na ibibigay na ng NEDA sa Ausphil ang Notice to Proceed this June, kung magtutuloy-tuloy ito baka by July-December magsimula na ang construction nito. Isipin niyo 2004 pa dapat nasimulan ito pero nagkaroon ng konting aberya sa pagre-release ng mga final documents. Delayed tuloy ng halos 4 years.

Pati sa Maharlika Highway siksikan ang mga Public Market, kaya ang haba ng traffic sa San Rafael, San Ildefonso at San Miguel. Ano ba iyan?

Oo nga, ganyan naman yata talaga ang mentality ng mga Pilipino, show-off sa mga dumadaan sa highway para sabihin asensado sila (by showing a decent public market), ang nakakabuwisit lalo eh yung Plaridel, halos isang oras mo tatagusin ito, kaya ako, San Simon lumalabas yun nga lang baku-bako hehe

BTW, look at Munoz, Nieva Ecija, this is a progressive place pero yung poblacion area nila nakapasok sa isang detour route, which translates to smooth, manageable traffic...

barrera_marquez

May 3rd, 2008, 02:59 PM

Yung poblacion nila nilagay nila sa isang detour route at hindi mismo sa highway? Mabuti dahil sa ibang bayan sa mismong national road sila nakalagay kaya tuloy napipilitan silang gumawa ng bypass roads.

Asturiano

May 4th, 2008, 02:09 AM

Ilang oras ba ang hanggang San Jose City mula Manila?

Pero speaking sa flat na highway ng Maharlika, ang solution lang diyan e simple, magtanim ng puno sa gilid pero mukha yatang pati buto ng puno e tumataas din ang presyo.

Anyway, may itatayong expressway mula QC hanggang Tuguegarao City at dadaan ito ng Nueva Ecija especially sa Cabanatuan City. Hopefully matuloy ito at hopefully 4 lanes ang lawak ng expressway para bumilis naman ang travel. Naiipit kami ng 3 hours sa tagal ng biyahe mula Manila hanggang Cabanatuan.

Ayon sa sarili kong experience ang travel time mula San Fernando hanggang Cabanatuan ay 3 hours din. Bakit?

Noong umuuwi kami sa san jose mahigit 3 hours and 30 minutes ewan ko lang ngayon kasi 10 years ago pa iyon . balita ko sa cabanatuan palang traffic na kasi masyadong maraming tricycle siguro depende sa traffic baka 4 hours. Buti
pa yong gapan kailan lang naging city my mall na agad sa san jose nag hintay sila ng 30 years napakaliit pa ng mall na ginawa. mas mauunahan pa yata ng gapan sa pag asenso ang san jose

CabanNgTuwa

May 4th, 2008, 02:23 PM

Noong umuuwi kami sa san jose mahigit 3 hours and 30 minutes ewan ko lang ngayon kasi 10 years ago pa iyon . balita ko sa cabanatuan palang traffic na kasi masyadong maraming tricycle siguro depende sa traffic baka 4 hours. Buti
pa yong gapan kailan lang naging city my mall na agad sa san jose nag hintay sila ng 30 years napakaliit pa ng mall na ginawa. mas mauunahan pa yata ng gapan sa pag asenso ang san jose

maybe, but having a mall doesn't necessarily mean that that "new" city is much better-looking than the other one; in fact, San Jose City is one of the first NE cities way up north that are more "civilized-looking" than its local counterparts such as Palayan, Gapan & Munoz... been there in the late 80s and all I can say is that the poblacion part of the National Highway there looks more like Dagupan City (of the 80s) in terms of infrastructure; one thing that still sticks to my mind after all these years is the decorative, well-lit up isles in the midst of the highway that serves its purpose very well; well, if you just came down from Bugkalot country (rural parts of Quirino & Nueva Vizcaya) and the Caraballos, you might just get off the bus and mistake it for Manila (or Quezon Avenue hehe)...

barrera_marquez

May 4th, 2008, 02:56 PM

Well, remember this guys if you are a frequent witness of crossfires in Nueva Ecija:

"Kung hindi traktora ng bigas ang mag-iingay sa Nueva Ecija, malamang baril na..."

In English:

"If the rice tractor isn't the noise-maker in Nueva Ecija, a gun is..."

allan_dude

May 4th, 2008, 07:29 PM

BOC to create 2 collection districts in Cagayan, Bataan

By Iris C. Gonzales
Friday, May 2, 2008

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will create two collection districts in Cagayan and Bataan due to the expected increase in investors in the two areas.

BOC commissioner Napoleon Morales said the agency is anticipating the influx of investors given the developments at the Cagayan economic zone.

As such, the BOC will create a collection district in Aparri in Cagayan and in the Port of Limay in Bataan due to the expected increase in investors.

Morales said the ultimate goal is to enhance revenues, facilitate trade and enhance trade security.

“We will try to plug all smuggling loopholes,” Morales said.

The Customs chief said the agency would issue a memorandum next month to implement the plan.

The BOC is under heavy pressure to meet its targets to enable the government to balance the budget this year as had been planned.

As of the first quarter of the year, the National Government incurred a budget deficit of P51.6 billion or P400 million lower than the P52 billion deficit recorded in the same period last year and P8.7 billion lower than the programmed deficit of P60.2 billion for the period.

Revenues in the first quarter increased by 6.8 percent to P253.5 billion from P237.3 billion recorded in the same period last year. This is also P4 billion higher or 1.6 percent above the revenue target for the period of P249.6 billion.

Of this amount, revenues generated by the BOC during the quarter went up by 21.5 percent to P48.9 billion from P40.2 billion, but short of the P51.8 billion target for the quarter by P2.9 billion or 5.6 percent.

In March, revenues of the BOC climbed 23.1 percent to P18.5 billion from P15 billion in the same period last year.

http://philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008050123&type=2

Asturiano

May 4th, 2008, 08:20 PM

one thing i like about san jose city is that they have a wider street compare to cabanatuan. The street is also clean and well plan.

Asturiano

May 4th, 2008, 08:43 PM

barrera_marquez

May 5th, 2008, 12:40 AM

marquez barrera taga saan ka ba sa nueva ecija. Do you know, why until now cabanatuan has not have an official websites in the internet. i have been searching for cabanatuan websites for a long time and i haven't found one yet but I found a websites for san jose, munoz and gapan. I was wondering why cabanatuan did not have one, especially it is one of the biggest city in the province.

Sa may bandang Barrera District ako pero hindi ako masyadong nagii-stay diyan kasi masyadong malayo sa Manila.

This is the official website of Cabanatuan City, pero yun nga lang hindi naman nila ina-update pero may history iyan ng Cabanatuan City...

http://www.cityofcabanatuan.gov.ph/index.php

Ito sa Palayan City for reference na lang...

http://www.palayancity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=1

Science City of Munoz...

http://www.sciencecityofmunoz.ph/

Gapan City

http://www2.mozcom.com/~gapan_ct/

San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/San_Jose_City_Seal.PNG/140px-San_Jose_City_Seal.PNG

CabanNgTuwa

May 5th, 2008, 03:41 PM

marquez barrera taga saan ka ba sa nueva ecija. Do you know, why until now cabanatuan has not have an official websites in the internet. i have been searching for cabanatuan websites for a long time and i haven't found one yet but I found a websites for san jose, munoz and gapan. I was wondering why cabanatuan did not have one, especially it is one of the biggest city in the province.

wala nga pero itanong mo dun sa mga high school students na mahilig sa friendster, sangkatutak ang mga blog spots nila about Cabanatuan (amateur sites); problem with is with the webmasters, look at pampanga, kumpleto sila sa wikipedia, medyo tamad lang mag upload ng mga articles at mag-contribute sa internet mga taga ecija pero this only proves that novo ecijanos may be the "silent type" pero if you get to know them much deeper, you will know that iba makisama mga taga ecija, hindi ka tatagain kahit nakatalikod ka... sorry medyo OT pero i know very well that some other Luzonians (CL, espec.) have that trait running through their veins, if you know what I mean:banana:

CabanNgTuwa

May 5th, 2008, 03:43 PM

Sa may bandang Barrera District ako pero hindi ako masyadong nagii-stay diyan kasi masyadong malayo sa Manila.

bro, buti nga tayo 84 kms lang, pag nanggaling ka ng Aparri, iisipin mo parang Camachile lang ang layo ng NE

barrera_marquez

May 5th, 2008, 04:01 PM

Hindi sa nagyayabang ako ano pero kung hindi pa ako gumalaw noon sa Wikipedia malamang hanggang ngayon wala pa ring seal ang mga articles ng Cabanatuan City, Palayan City, Science City of Munoz, San Jose City at Gapan City (naku po! Lahat ng 5 cities ng Nueva Ecija iyon)

Anyway, I am trying to observe the Wikipedia entries of all the provinces of Central Luzon. Medyo mahirap nga kasi noong unang sabak ko sa giyera walang laman ang Balanga City, iyang 5 cities ng Nueva Ecija, maraming formatting errors sa City of San Fernando, sabog ang infoboxes ng Meycauayan at Malolos at kung anu-ano pa, all must be fixed. Buti nga ngayon medyo may tumutulong na at magaan na ang trabaho.

Anyway bro, nag-roll call na ulit sa roll call thread, hindi pa rin listed ang pangalan mo, kailangang magpa-register ka...

allan_dude

May 6th, 2008, 05:47 AM

tracymack

May 6th, 2008, 05:56 AM

^^A country within a country? Ayos yan ah. Kakaiba.

Pinoy_ako

May 6th, 2008, 07:38 AM

From Wikipedia:

Nueva Ecija was created as a military comandancia in 1777 by Governor General Clavería, with the capital at Baler (now part of Aurora). It was formerly part of the province of Pampanga. From its humble beginning, its land area grew to cover almost the entire island of Luzon. Spanish Records in the Philippines recognizes 2 Spanish countries in the Pacific-- Las Islas Filipinas and Nueva Ecija. Poverty was the only reason why Nueva Ecija was not given recognition as a separate country from the Philippines by the King of Spain in 1840s. From 1777 to 1917, Nueva Ecija's territory was however subdivided to give way to the creation of other provinces. The Province of Tayabas (now Aurora and Quezon) including Polillo Islands, the provinces of Palanan (now Isabela), Cagayan, the province of Nueva Vizcaya, the territory which became part of the Province of Quirino, and the province of Manila north of the province of Tondo in 1867, and the District of Morong (now Rizal) were among those created out of Nueva Ecija.

---
totoo ba to? Sayang, bansa na sana ang NE.

May mali siguro sa sources na pinagkunan ng Wikipedia or mali ang mga translations. For one, Tayabas has always been a province. The source may have been referring to Principe and Infanta, which would coincide with the present boundaries of Aurora. Yung sinasabing province of Palanan, it should have been qualified as "now a part of Isabela" kasi ang Nueva Ecija dati, kasama ang malaking part ng coastline ng eastern Luzon. Ang Cagayan, matagal na itong province at ang Isabela, dito lang galing.

Medyo weird ang reference sa dalawang countries kasi hindi man lamang regular province ang Nueva Ecija before 1840.

barrera_marquez

May 6th, 2008, 08:05 AM

If in case naging bansa ang NE, baka mangailangan pa ako ng visa para lang umuwi ng probinsya. Ano ba yun?

garzland

May 6th, 2008, 04:03 PM