this is a nice plan. i hope the development of Agusan river will start soon.
palafox associates (http://www.palafoxoutsourcing.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=49)

it seems everybody is going gaga over palafox...even the soon-to-rise port terminal in dumaguete is using a design of palafox associates, although the budget is trimmed down by P30 million...

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na koy feeling wa pa nako ni na post...

they say that commemorative flagpole and marker with the flag......the flag they say is the biggest in Vis-Mindanao. It commemorates the first hoisting of the Philippine flag here in Mindanao.

^^^^

Yung original flag ang largest flag.. hindi ito.

Yung original flag, malaki talaga yun. and it is not proportional to the flag pole. pangit nga tingnan eh. i think yung flag na yun, i should be used to a 200 or 300 ft flagpole. :)

About progress in butuan... i think we should thank ex-Cong. C. Plaza. Dahil kasi sa kanya, nagkaroon ng region 13. and ginawang regional capital ang Butuan. kung nasa region X parin tayo ngayon, mauunahan pa tayo ng Gingoog. Layo kasi maxado ang Cagayan de Oro. and ang development nandun lang. Cagayan de Oro is like butuan before, right? Nung nagkaroon ng Region 10, ginawang regional center ang Cagayan. pero di naging madali sa kanila, diba? it took decades pa before naging developed city ang Cagayan. I think ganito rin ang mangyayari sa Butuan. people have to wait for the development. Hot ra kaau tingali ang mga people didto. gusto nila nga ma boom dayon ang economy. Let's wait lang.... diba??

the Northeastern Mindanao Region otherwise known as the CARAGA Region was borne out of the four provinces' aspirations to extricate from the neglect of beureaucrats in the central government whose only recognition of Mindanao before as mere north and south regions only. I can always recall the statement made by former Congresswoman Charito Plaza in 1995 in front of Agusan and Surigao leaders and former Cagayan de Oro Mayor and Regional Development Council head of Region 10 at that time (directed at the mayor), "....Butuan and the two Agusans and Surigaos are tired of the concept of trickle down economics...."

It is the only region in the country created through legislation and sanctioned by a Republic Act and thus immune from the reallignments from the executive powers of the Office of President . (the office of the President has recently realligned Lanao del Norte and Iligan to Region 10; and has also stripped Zamboanga City as the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula Region...relinquishing it to small city of Pagadian; the City of Cotabato was also stripped of its regional capital role in Region 12 to give way to Koronadal; a presidential order has also realligned South Cotabato and General Santos from Davao Region to be a part of the Southern Mindanao Region.)

This young region in the country is so promising that the office of the president has created a separate or exclusive Office of the Presisdential Assistant for CARAGA Affairs......apart from that Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao.

All the essentials are now being placed at a faster pace.....the time to achieve catch up growth shall then be much lessened, thus expected for this region to be at par or even leapfrog ahead in the very near future.

^^^^

Yung original flag ang largest flag.. hindi ito.

Yung original flag, malaki talaga yun. and it is not proportional to the flag pole. pangit nga tingnan eh. i think yung flag na yun, i should be used to a 200 or 300 ft flagpole. :)

they must have kept that big flag...but still this replacement flag is quiet big

they must have kept that big flag...but still this replacement flag is quiet big


Hehe.. i think it looks big kasi ang mga establishments/buildings na nakapaligid sa park are small. :)

james.....we have filled up this second thread to its 500th posts na....

I shall open now the 3rd Thread.....with that banner you created.

shall this be closed?

james.....we have filled up this second thread to its 500th posts na....

I shall open now the 3rd Thread.....with that banner you created.

You sure ok na to? o baka u have any other suggestions? but i think its too late na. no time to edit it. very busy in work and studies na kc. :(

<embed src='http://www.butuan.gov.ph/animations/header.swf' width='900' height='100'></embed>

BUTUAN CITY: Booming and Blooming (Thread III)
The Predecessors: <<|1 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=273209)|2 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=325236)|>>

http://www.butuan.gov.ph/butuan/Images/beggining.jpg
“In the beginning, there was no Philippines but there was BUTUAN”

Located at the Northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River is Butuan City, known for its colorful history and culture. BUTUAN is a term believed to have originated from the sour fruit “Batuan”. Others opined, it came from a certain “Datu Buntuan”, a chieftain who once ruled Butuan. Scholars believed, it came from the word “But-an”, which literally means a person who has sound and discerning disposition. Whichever theories appear credible depends on the kind of people residing in Butuan, for whatever is said about them, Butuan continues to live on.

Butuan’s history, culture, arts and people date back to the 4th century as showcased in museums which makes Butuan an exciting source of cultural artifacts in Mindanao.

As early as the 10th century, according to the Chinese Song Shi (history), people from Butuan had already established trading relations with the kingdom of Champa in what is now South Vietnam.
By the 11th century, Butuan was the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines. The best evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 balangays (The BUTUAN BOAT) and other archeological finds in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old EL RIO de BUTUAN and MASAO River.

Welcome to a City that has seen over 1,683 years of recorded history! The original site of the First Easter Mass in Philippine Soil, here, the present nurtures the past and vice-versa. While the future waits promisingly in the wings. Come up close!


Photos and Info Courtesy of:
The Butuan Official Website

Welcome to the 3rd Thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=369549

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Butuan City is a highly urbanized city and the regional center of the Caraga Region in the Philippines. It is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley in northern Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del Norte, to the east by Agusan del Sur and to the northwest by Butuan Bay. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 267,279 people in 50,273 households.

The name "Butuan" is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Other etymology sources say that it comes from a certain "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled over Butuan.

As early as the 10th century, people from Butuan had already established trading relations with the Kingdom of Champa (now southern Vietnam).

By the 11th century, Butuan was the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines. The evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 balangays (the Butuan Boat) and other archeological find in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao River.

Much controversy and debate have been generated with regard to the holding of the first mass. Whether it was held in Limasawa, Leyte or in Masao, Butuan City. It is sure, however, that Ferdinand Magellan did drop anchor by the mouth of Agusan River in 1521 and held mass to commemorate the event.

The first municipal election in Butuan took place on March 1902 in accordance with Public Law No. 82 which coincided with the American occupation of the place.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Butuan was razed to the ground when the guerilla forces attacked the enemy garrison during the middle of 1943. On October 20, 1948, still recovering from the war, the entire municipality was ruined by a fire

The boom of the logging industry during the 1950s up the middle of 1970s has made Butuan the "Timber City of the South". The outcome of which was the influx of business and fortune seekers from other provinces. The once lethargic town suddenly became a bustling locality. The flourishing logging industry inspired and prompted Congressman Marcos M. Calo to file a bill converting Butuan into a city. On August 2, 1950, Butuan became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 523 otherwise known as the City Charter of Butuan.

From being a chartered City, Butuan was reclassified into a highly urbanized city on February 7, 1985 pursuant to the provision of section 166 and 168 of Local Government code of 1997 (?) and Memorandum circular 83-49 of the ministry of local Government. The re-classification was based on its outcome and population as certified by the ministry of finance and national census and statistics office.

Yeah! pangatlo na!




WELCOME TO THE 3RD THREAD OF BUTUAN CITY!!!!!!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :dance: :dance:

^^^ magkano na utang ko sa yo for plugging my movie? hehe

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/welcome.jpg

Hindi naman sa selfish ako. But, gusto ko lang na ako ang una mag post sa ginawa ko. :)

Butuan approves temporary closure of Butuan-Magsaysay Bridge


by Jennifer B. Peña

BUTUAN CITY (June 30) -– The Butuan City old Magsaysay Bridge will be temporarily closed as per ordinance approved by the Sanguniang Panlungsod in June 26, 2006. The temporary closing of the old Magsaysay Bridge is to have the Via Duct connected to it.

In a statement, Hon. Salvador Calo, Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety Chairman said that the temporary closure of Magsaysay Bridge is scheduled on July 15, this year after the construction of the Detour Bridge.

It was also learned that the vehicle drivers would suffer four months on its operation due to the inconvenience and traffic they will encounter through passing the Detour Bridge from East and West areas.

Councilor Calo appealed to the public to bear with the government for their own good. (PIA-13)

^^

I think ito yung ginawa nilang consturction last April 2006. The detour Bridge

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/DSC00135.jpg

Congrats Butuan for Thread 3!!!

Ei.. y man mingaw na kaayo ang thread??

BUTUAN : A Re-Introduction

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Tae-bo and Tai-Chi in Butuan
Everyday this city-folks converge at the capitol park for the early morning sessions of Tae-bo and Tae-chi; as they say...a healthy people makes a healthy city.....:)
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NCWDP to spearhead NDPR week celebration


by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (July 4) -– The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) is set to celebrate the 28th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week on July 17-23, 2006.

In a written statement, Catalina Fermin, NCWDP Executive Director said, this year’s celebration carries the theme “Kalikasan Pangalagaan: Kapansanan Maiiwasan” which was chosen and adopted by the National Working Committee comprising of government and non-government organizations.

Fermin added that the theme of this year’s celebration was formulated in order to dramatize the increase incidence of environmental disasters, deforestation and a host of other destructive activities resulting to the loss of lives, disabling physical conditions, and wanton disabilities among the human population.

Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo extended her warmest felicitations to NCWDP and DENR for their efforts in the conduct of the celebration.

In her message, the President said that this year’s theme reflects NCWDP’s strong belief that disability and environment are factors that affect the human population.

“The World Health Organization estimated ten percent of the total population of any given area are people with disabilities caused mainly by the increase incidence of environmental disasters, deforestation and a host of other destructive activities that could even result in the loss of lives”, the President said.

With this, President Arroyo calls on the entire Filipino people to rally behind the implementation of an environmental management program that would usher in a healthier environment and people

Butuan to continue develop urban, rural barangay roads


by Jennifer B. Peña

BUTUAN CITY (June 30) –- This year, the Local Government of Butuan gives more attention to the concretion of urban and rural barangay roads. This was learned in the statement of Mayor Democrito Plaza II during the flag ceremony held recently at Butuan City hall compound.

According to Mayor Plaza, at this moment there are already four barangays, which the local government planned to concrete the roads. One kilometer from Barangay Pigdaulan proper, one kilometer in Don Francisco, two kilometers from Tiniwisan going to Bonbon, and from Barangay Bonbon going to Sunrise College.

Meanwhile, there is Php 30 million allocated for concreting the urban barangay roads. The Php 15 million is taken from Cong. Leovigildo Banaag while the other Php 15 million is from the city government. (PIA-13)

Btw, how is the construction of the cable stayed bridge? (2nd Magsaysay Bridge?)

sinjin,the spans are almost done and shall be commencing work on the cables

the 13 kilometer highway link to it is continually being develop at the east approach too.

while at the first bridge, temporary closure shall be in effect come next week to integrate the 400 million viaduct to the present bridge. and to Baan Highway

Just one question...

Is Otis a Butuan-exclusive mall lang?Don't they have plans to exapnd to other cities?

Just one question...

Is Otis a Butuan-exclusive mall lang?Don't they have plans to exapnd to other cities?

Otis Metro Mall is a homegrown enterprise of Chan-Uy Realty Corp. which is Butuan based....

I dont think they are into expanding to other cities around Butuan yet, because they are still in the process of completing the works of their mall development which includes Van and Jeep Terminal and a gas depot.

Maybe in the future they would expand to nearby cities like Surigao or Tandag or Gingoog

^^ That's a good indication that Mindanaon malls are filling the lack.

Are they also responsible for the Otis-Lennon mental ability test and the Otis escalators and elevators?

Otis escalators?...well this is a foreign owned escalator and elevator company....

Otis Mall is entirely Filipino Chinese. :)

The real competitor of Otis in northern mindanao are Ororama, Gaisano and SM.

I guess Northern Mindanao is still too big for these mall operators...

Each of them has their own niche in the market.....and market share.

There's quiet a big space yet for something big here in Butuan for the eastern half of Mindanao

Butuan is beautiful actually. Wide roads... good people. And good things await for the people there.

Your Gaisano is also fabulous. Not that big though, but it has all the amenities in a middle-class mall.

salamat Ady001 :)

The city is expected to reap very soon all the benefits of various economic projects being placed recently within and around the city.

Human chain for greening set in Caraga
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY -- An estimated 50,000 warm human bodies will be out in the streets in early morning of August 25 to form a human chain to plant trees along national highways in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Norte, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Caraga Region said.

Caraga DENR Regional Director Benjamen Tumaliuan said 120,000 tree seedlings of medium-sized trees, flowering plants, and shrubs are to be planted side by side along the national highways of the three provinces as part of the nationwide greening project of the agency originally scheduled on August 25.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called for public support for the "Greening the Philippines" project of the DENR, asking coordination with all agencies of the government, religious, local government units, socio-civic organizations, non-government organizations, business sector, and other organizations.

"Barangay folks from three provinces armed with bolos and tree seedlings will line up the national highway early morning on August 25 to plant trees and take care of the seedlings to grow themselves in their respective barangays," Tumaliuan said.

The theme for the event is "Unity, Solidarity for Green Caraga: The Key to Sustainable Timber Corridor."

Joint implementation

Earlier, the DENR Caraga Press Corps signed a memorandum of agreement with the agency's regional office for joint sustainable tree planting activities where journalists will plant trees and nurture it in the entire duration of the tree planting program.

Already, the Roman Catholic's Diocese of Butuan-Agusan through Bishop Juan De Dios M. Pueblos has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the DENR regional office also for a joint tree planting activities involving churches of the three provinces.

Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers and Agusan del Norte Governor John Earlpe Amante issued Executive Orders directing all local chief executives of the two provinces to join the implementation of the nationwide tree planting projects.

The two provincial chief executives also directed all chief of offices of the local government units to assist in the preparation in the provincial program of action and implementation.

Business sector with the different organized Chambers of Commerce and Industry have also signified intention in joining the noble project by encouraging business establishments to implement adopt a tree project.

All 36 wood processing firms and plants in the region have already signed a memorandum of agreement with the DENR for a joint cooperation of the tree planting project.

The firms through its tree nurseries will help provide some tree seedlings for the project.

The different DENR local offices spread across the region are set to meet different local village chiefs and Barangay officials for a final meeting anytime next to synchronize activities of the one-day green chain project.

At present, Caraga Region supplies nearly 70 percent of the country's wood supply needs from its more than one million hectare of forested land area being the "Timber Corridor" of the country today.

Hindi naman sa selfish ako. But, gusto ko lang na ako ang una mag post sa ginawa ko. :)
okey lang. Tagal mo kasi i post pare eh. inunahan na tuloy kita. lol

I dont know if it's real. I need confirmations pa. July 12, 2006 -- My friend (we were both graduates of UC high School) told me that his mother send him a message thru SMS that CHED already approved the petition of Urios to have a university status TODAY. Ngayon pa lang lumabas ang verdict. 5 "panelists" came from the CHED went to the institution to report their verdict. Actually, the 3 panelists were already in Butuan last week and they are waiting for the other two to arrive before giving the verdict. This was confirmed by a faculty of Urios College.

I still need confirmations.. By the way. My friend's mother is an instructor of Urios College. :)

thats a very promising yet unconfirmed news James......congratulations to you and your Alma Mater.....

this 106 year old academic institution deserves to be one

http://static.flickr.com/45/187041713_0884636e1d_m.jpg

ayaw pasapat kay sinjin, ni re-introduction tuloy :lol:
congrats BUTUAN folks for the third thread
cant wait for the bridge beginning construction pics :)

July 12, 2006 4:12 pm... Fr. Young, president of Urios College, announced that the institution passed the university status...

Nice! Good job Urios College! .... uhm... FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY!

On their school hymn, they simply changed the word Urios College to Father Urios:

Urios College hail to you
we your children, far and near
shall you truth forever hold
shall you name forever bear

Father Urios hail to you
we your children, far and near
shall you truth forever hold
shall you name forever bear

Bacolod in Butuan.......Chicken Inasal.....yum! :)
http://static.flickr.com/63/168032345_8ad0103c06.jpg

Wow, nagugutom ako....

^^ :P hehehe BTW, is there a Butuanon dialect? I hope the Butuanons develop a literature for that language. :)

July 12, 2006 4:12 pm... Fr. Young, president of Urios College, announced that the institution passed the university status...

Nice! Good job Urios College! .... uhm... FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY!

On their school hymn, they simply changed the word Urios College to Father Urios:


so it got the name of Father Saturnino Urios. in short it's ok to call it Urios University

^^ :P hehehe BTW, is there a Butuanon dialect? I hope the Butuanons develop a literature for that language. :)

yes there is, and its a threatened indigineous dialect. it is one of the country's ancient tongues whose origins can be traced to some Sumatran roots. There has been moves to preserve this dialect as it is now threatened over the years due to heavy migrant population growth coming from Visayas and Luzon.

though there has been no large collection of Ancient or pre colonial Butuan litetrature, some forms of the Butuan ancient arts are well preserved now in its museums.

Congrats to Urios! i've read in the paper about the approval on its university status :)

Congrats to Urios! i've read in the paper about the approval on its university status :)


what paper? anong newspaper? reply pls!!! :) need to read the article...

as far as I can recall, this application has been at the CHED for almost 10 years na!

Aw oo. And i think it's a ten yr process. They have to observe muna ang quality sa graduates, and number of graduates na naka trbaho...

@james, di ko na matandaan hehe...dami kasi newspaper sa bahay hehe

Ganun ba. ok lang . hehe

Father Saturnino Urios, SJ
(1843 - 1916 )
Apostle of Agusan

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Father Saturnino Urios was born in Játiva,Spain November 12, 1843. His father was a barber, and at the advice of his parish priest permitted the boy to pursue studies when he was old enough, first in Játiva, and then at the Seminario Conciliar in Valencia. He was ordained a diocesan priest June 6, 1868, but by January 1870, feeling called by God to religious life, left for France where the Jesuits, exiled from Spain by the September Revolution, had established their novitiate. By July 30, 1874 he was embarking from Marseilles for Manila and the island of Mindanao, where he worked as a Jesuit Missionary for the next 40 years. The Jesuits had first come to Mindanao at Butuan in 1596. After the Suppression, they returned, Urios among the first. He evangelized the natives, founded towns along the Agusan River and its tributaries. His love of Spain and the Valencia countryside may be seen in the names he gave to the towns he founded: Las Nives (in honor of Our Lady of the Snows, patroness of Játiva), San Vicente Ferrer (the patron of Valencia), Játiva, Novelé, Segorbe, Alberique, Alcira, Gandía, Morella, and Sagunto. Urios ended tribal slavery and warfare, negotiated peace between the Americans and the insurgents in 1901, and in the same year founded in Butuan City the school that was to become Urios College. His untiring work to evangelize the natives was imitated by his fellow missionaries, but it eventually destroyed his health, and he died October 27, 1916

Caraga's first: Butuan's Urios College is now a university PDF
Written by Alden C. Pantaleon, Jr./MindaNews
Friday, 14 July 2006 08 57 24



BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/13 July) -- Fr. Saturnino Urios University is the new name of Urios College, after the Commission on Higher Education approved its application to become a university, school president Fr. John Christian Young announced in a press conference here. CHED’s approval made the city’s oldest Catholic-run school the first university in Caraga Region, which comprises the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

Young however said he had yet to receive an official communication from CHED. "But we are sure because two CHED commissioners have called me up and informed me that Urios’ application for a university was already approved,” he added.

The 105-year-old school started as the Butuan Parochial School in 1901. It was founded by Fr. Saturnino Urios, a Jesuit.

In 1939, the school was renamed Fr. Urios College with the opening of high school classes. Eleven years later, the school's college department started with a two-year business course.

For 37 years Fr. Urios College was run by Dutch priests belonging to the Missionari del Sacro Cuore (MSC).

In 1970, the name of the school was changed to Urios College.

It became a non-stock, non-profit corporation and the top management was given to lay people in 1976.

Young said the school had waited for 10 years before its application was approved.

He said that last February, five CHED commissioners reevaluated their application.

He noted that the team focused their evaluation on quality of instruction, research outputs, faculty development, school infrastructure, laboratories, results of board examinations, financial management and students’ success. (Alden C. Pantaleon Jr./MindaNews)
Last Updated ( Friday, 14 July 2006 09 02 10 )

NICE.... okay. na confirm na nako ni yesterday. My mom said that there are banners scattered na sa Butuan congratulating Urios as the first university in Caraga Region. I think they will celebrate it this coming September - sa College Week.... I think they should change it as University Days, right? hehe.. like USC days in USC here in Cebu. :)

Im very proud of my Alma Mater. Maybe i could teach there someday... After I graduate here in USC. Maybe I could open up new course there... BS Computer Engineering. :)

nice...at last butuan will have its first university.

the river is butuan's biggest asset and at the same time, its biggest problem...do something about it, and butuan's growth will skyrocket...

the river is butuan's biggest asset and at the same time, its biggest problem...do something about it, and butuan's growth will skyrocket...

Actually, the "solution" is currently under construction. The Magsaysay viaduct is near completion and also the drainage system of Butuan. The CAR - DBP also make big canals along the river(I don't know kung saan to papunta)just in case the river will overflow.

nice...at last butuan will have its first university.



Not only butuan, but also the whole caraga region. Caraga's premiere Catholic institution as well as FIRST University.

Baka aangal ang mga taga surigao nito. may SPU kasi sila. but it's not considered as the first university.

Wow, Urios University! The long and most awaited application for that status is now granted!

Pre,diba may Philippine Normal University dyan sa Agusan del Sur sa Properidad ata yan?

Congrats to Urios! i've read in the paper about the approval on its university status :)

Tama lang jud na ang urios ma university! It's going strong after a bashing article made by someone that "some university I DIDN'T know from Mindanao beat De La Salle" (after the top 20 universities article)

the river is butuan's biggest asset and at the same time, its biggest problem...do something about it, and butuan's growth will skyrocket...

it has started to become an asset now, considering the full operation of the 7 billion Lower Agusan River Basin Project....a triphasic component of the bigger Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Project that will serve to migitate the area from floods and at the same time provide the necessary irrigation to thousands of lands within the basin.

The entire Agusan both upper and lower has been recognized as the food basket corridor for the country, it is with CARBDP-LADP plan that will boost this aim.

Aside from the economic benefits, it shall involve developemnt of the Riverine area into a theme park....and shall also soon involve the construction of a riverine port system.

The project has also an important sub-component and that is the Urban Draiange Project in which large drainageways are built within the urban area; leevees and the construction of the elevated viaduct; this component alone costs around 3 Billion pesos and is almost complete with the feverish works in Baan with the inter-connection of the viaduct system to the first Magsaysay bridge.

Other ancilary independent projects but in support of this greater project is the construction of pavers and walkways with standard drainage systems as designed by Palafox.

Wow, Urios University! The long and most awaited application for that status is now granted!

Pre,diba may Philippine Normal University dyan sa Agusan del Sur sa Properidad ata yan?

yes there's is PNU Prosperidad Campus in Surigao del Sur......but its a college campus under the Philippine Normal University System...the same also with Surigao with its San Nicholas College Campus under the Saint Paul University System.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Butuan's oldest college gains university status
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY -- Butuan City's 104-year-old Fr. Urios College, a Diocesan operated school, is now named Fr. Saturnino Urios University, announced school president Fr. John Young during a press conference last week.

Although embroiled in a controversy in the past after some student leaders filed a complaint against Diocese of Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios M. Pueblos, the school management said everything is "quiet for now."


Pueblos, then president and chairman of the Board of Directors, was accused of allegedly naming personal ownership of some of the school properties like rice lands and others.

Urios being one of the oldest educational institution in this city and probably in the entire Caraga Region was founded by then Parish Priest Fr. Saturnino Urios in 1902.

The school was originally intended to cater students of Butuan City who went to as far as Cebu City and nearby cities then to acquire college education.

"It was a product of 10-year initiative that finally we were given a university status by the Commission on Higher Education, it is a welcome development to us and to the retirees who worked hard to what is Fr. Saturnino Urios University now", Young said.

Fr. Saturnino Urios University is the first university in Butuan City and in the entire Caraga Region.

The state owned Northern Mindanao State Institute for Science and Technology application for a state university is still hanging for years now at the Senate Education Committee.

Another state college, the Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State Colleges based in Tandag, Surigao del Sur is also applying for university status but still pending.

Parents and community leaders have petitioned for the early approval for state universities in the region saying the presence of two state universities in Caraga Region will help boost the region's fledging economy.

All in A Days Work ~ Butuan City Council

TRANSPARENCY BEHIND A GLASS WALL
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Urios High School Department
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^^ im diggin the twisty staircase heheh :D

Urios High School Department
http://www.butuanon.org/pics/uchs1.jpg

As far as I saw it maliit lang Urios... I'm not sure if there are other campuses

As far as I saw it maliit lang Urios... I'm not sure if there are other campuses


It's small but not that small. Other campuses? yup. there is a campus found in Cabadbaran, in Bayugan, in Trento, and in magallanes(?).

The present campus; occupies approximately 3 blocks
The college department occupies San Francisco and del Pilar S. and R. Calo block, the Elementary department occupies the San Francisco and san Jose St. block and the Gymnasium and High School complex as shown in the photo occupies the R. Calo JC Aquino and San Francisco block.......this not to mention the various campuses in Bayugan, Trento, and Magallanes in Agusan Norte and Sur and another in Ampayon,Butuan City.... furthermore it has a big hectarage of land now being developed in Libertad for a new campus complex...... Saying that Father Saturnino Urios University is small is absolutely incorrect l IMO

Guys, My batchmate, a Butuanon, nakasali sa top 10 sa Nursing Board. She gradauted nursing at the Cebu Doctor's University. Nag high school xa sa UCHS. :) wala lang.. hehe

Chess boom in Mindanao
By Lynde Salgados

* With its forthcoming events staking over P1M in cash prizes

OBVIOUSLY unusual in Philippine sports set-up, where basketball mostly takes the limelight above than anything else, chess development in Mindanao is now riding in an accelerating pace this year.

In what seen as a dramatic rise in sponsorship, a rough estimate of over P1.2 million in total cash prizes will be up for grabs in at least four scheduled major chess events to be held in various places in Mindanao starting in August.

And the fast-growing advocates of the 64-square-board game could only thank the most, Congressman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur, the new chairman of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), who takes the courage of trying to bring Philippine chess into stratospheric height by way of producing considerable funds for the purpose.

"Sa iyang personal resources lang daan dako na kaayo ang nagasto ni Pichay kay ubay-ubay na nga torneyo sa kaulohan ang iyang gipaluyohan. But even that the RP men's squad faltered in the recent World Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy he remains persistence in inciting his belief that there's a future for Philippine chess given the right break, continuous support and proper guidance," said National Arbiter Lorenzo "Jun" Cuizon.

Set to draw the participation of practically all the best chess players in the land is the P300,000 rich 3rd Prospero Pichay Jr. Memorial Memorial Chess Tournament on Aug. 12-14 in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.

"Napakabait ho ni Pichay para sa kapakanan ng mga chess players kaya hindi puwedeng umayaw na maglaro po tayo sa Cantilan kahit na malayo pa ito sa Manila," said the country's first Super Grandmaster Mark Paragua during his week-long stay here.

From August 26 to 27, a pre-fiesta chess team tourney will take place at Deluxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro with City Vice Mayor Michelle Tagarda Spiers, the members of the City Council and businessman Antonio "Tony" G. Dacudao of the Mindanao Coolers Corporation putting up a combined amount of P35,000 for the prizes and operational budget.

Next calendared by the NCFP is the National Inter-Cities on Sept. 13-17 at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall in J.P Laurel Avenue in Davao City.

It guarantees a whooping P286,000 cash pot with the champion team taking the lion's share of P100,000 plus trophy.

But the 2006 Inter-Province tourney to be hosted by Misamis Oriental this coming October is deemed to top it all with Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno and Pichay reportedly closing out a 40-60 deal to put up a collaborated sum of P600,000 for the success of the competition.

"Aside of the team championship, there will also be a side event (blitz tourney) with P50,000 cash prizes awaiting the winners. Yan ang dahilan kung ba't napapayag kami sa request ni Gov (Moreno) sa 40-60 na hatian sa sponsorship," NCFP tournament executive director Willy Abalos, who was recently sent here by Pichay to finalize the project with Moreno, was quoted by a Capitol insider as saying.

Also waiting on the line is the soon to be discussed National Open in Butuan (with Judge Edgar Manilag at the helm) and the back to Ozamis City's Chess Festival in December this year.

NCFP-10 coordinator Rey Urbiztundo told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that the next chess competition in Ozamis, otherwise known as the City of Cotta Shrine, will be played at the air-conditioned Medina gymnasium with Ozamis Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog already giving out his go-signal.

DENR Caraga eyes human chain record
By Ben Serrano


BUTUAN CITY -- If plans push through, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office in Caraga Region will attempt to make the longest and largest human chain for tree planting ever formed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

So far the largest human chain ever recorded was in Bangladesh on December 11,2004, when over 5 million people joined hands to form a human chain at 1,050 kilometers or about 652.4 miles from Teknaf to Tentulia, Bangladesh.

The longest human conveyor belt was recorded in Mudgeeroba, Queensland, Australia in November 1, 2005 where 1,556 people participants formed a human conveyor belt at the All Saints Day Angelicum School.

Caraga Regional Director Benjamin Tumaliuan said however that the record was merely forming a human chain. He said this time they will form a human chain for the promotion of planting trees.

An estimated 56,000 people from all walks of life are expected to form a human chain and, armed only with bolos and tree seedlings, plant trees along the 319 kilometers stretch of the PAN-Philippines national highways.

The area covers three provinces, 40 municipalities and 107 barangays from seaport of Lipata in Surigao City to the last towns of Agusan del Sur in the Davao-Agusan boundary and last town of Agusan del Norte in the Misamis-Agusan boundary side.

The activity forms part of the nationwide greening program where tree seedlings of medium-sized trees, flowering plants, and shrubs are to be planted side by side and is scheduled on August 25.

Memorandum
The resetting was requested by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who wanted to personally participate in the project because of her Sona scheduled on July 26.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier appealed for public support in the Greening Project of the DENR calling coordinated efforts from all agencies of the government, religious, LGUs, academe, socio-civic organizations, NGOs, business sector and other organizations.

Local officials, leaders of the religious, academe and business sectors are said to have confirmed their support to the project.

The different committees formed initially reported that so far preparations underway are 70 percent complete in all four Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Penro) on the region which include site and seedlings preparations with exactly 33 days to go.

Already, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers, Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza and Agusan del Norte Governor John Ealpe Amante signed Executive Orders directing all local government units to fully cooperate in the project.

The Roman Catholic's Diocese of Butuan-Agusan through Bishop Juan De Dios M. Pueblos has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the DENR regional office here also for a joint tree planting activities involving churches of the three provinces.

DENR officials plan to register the activity for the Guinness World Record attempt at the Guinness website today as they will finalize talks with the Regional Development Council in a meeting Saturday.

Any updates on the Second Magsaysay Bridge?

UPGRADE BANCASI AIRPORT NOW!!!!
UPGRADE BANCASI AIRPORT NOW!!!!
UPGRADE BANCASI AIRPORT NOW!!!!
UPGRADE BANCASI AIRPORT NOW!!!!
UPGRADE BANCASI AIRPORT NOW!!!!
UPGRADE BANCASI AIRPORT NOW!!!!
UPGRADE BANCASI AIRPORT NOW!!!!

FYI, Bancasi Airport has been accomodating Cebu Pacific's Airbus A319 service for the past 2 weeks as part of the airline company's rfleeting program....

I totally agree, the airport situation is no longer at par to the needs of the city and environs

FYI, Bancasi Airport has been accomodating Cebu Pacific's Airbus A319 service for the past 2 weeks as part of the airline company's rfleeting program....

I totally agree, the airport situation is no longer at par to the needs of the city and environs

Talaga? Nice to hear that. Mahihirapan siguro ang piloto mag landing doon.

So nakita mo yung plane? I really want to go home na.. huhuhuh.. Want to see those new birds in Butuan... I really miss my home na... ganda kasi ng location ng house namin. makikita mo yung final approach ng mga planes from Manila. :)

if that plane were a B747, talagang mag overshoot siya sa runway.....but A319 is just a medium haul plane that requires approximately 1600 + meter length runway.....A319 is not big as I imagined....its almost the same but a bit bigger as that of PAL's B 737-300 aircraft

this is the dimension of Bancasi Airport (click the link below).....measured at year 2004.....dunno if this was updated

http://www.fallingrain.com/icao/RPME.html

Monday, July 24, 2006
12th Caraga Business Confab set on July 27-28
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusn del Sur -- The twelfth annual meeting of Caraga's business sector is set on July 27 to 28 this month at the Provincial Government Center Pavilion here.

The activity will be hosted by the Agusan del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry co-hosted by the Agusan del Sur Provincial Government.

In a press conference, different chamber officials of the six Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the region with the provincial government officials and the concerned national government agencies said this year's theme is "Pushing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for Progress in Caraga Region."

Agusan del Sur Provincial Administrator Jesus Ronquillo, who represented Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, said the province is already prepared for the holding of the two-day business confab that will bring together leaders in both government and private sectors for effective dialogue in order to resolve issues, identify opportunities, establish partnership, and sustain economic gains.

The annual event started in 1995 after the creation of Caraga Region and was pioneered by the Eastern Mindanao Business Council (EMBC), an umbrella organization of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) with a vision of improving growth in all sectors of the newly created administrative region of the country then.

Caraga Region is among the country's poorest among sixteen regions in the country today. EMBC Secretary General Val Velasco said the annual business meeting will give opportunity of the different sectors in the region to create new strategies to meet demands and challenges of the times.

Conference Chairman Joey Gaviola, also a Manager of the Development Bank of the Philippines San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Branch said expected to attend the confab is DA undersecretary for Operations Jesus Emmanuel Paras after Secretary Panganiban designated him to represent the agency.

Other national officials are expected to attend the two-day meeting, DTI Provincial Director Lolita Dorado of Agusan del Sur said.

Velasco is hoping that the coming of local and foreign investments will spark development in the region. The P7-B Philnico Nickel Mining, P500-M Philsaga Mining in Agusan del Sur, the 30,000 hectares of Processing Plant for Eco-Fuel Wood using bamboo extracts as alternative source of fuel, the 10,000 hectares Banana plantation investors are expected to join the conference.

if that plane were a B747, talagang mag overshoot siya sa runway.....but A319 is just a medium haul plane that requires approximately 1600 + meter length runway.....A319 is not big as I imagined....its almost the same but a bit bigger as that of PAL's B 737-300 aircraft

these are the dimensions of A319:
http://www.airbroker.se/images/airliners/a319.jpg

Overall length 33.84 m. 111 ft.
Height 11.76 m. 38 ft. 7 in.
Fuselage diameter 3.95 m. 13 ft.
Maximum cabin width 3.70 m. 12 ft. 1in.
Cabin length 23.78 m. 78 ft.
Wingspan (geometric) 34.10 m. 111 ft. 10 in.
Wing area (reference) 122.6 m2 1,320 ft2
Wing sweep (25% chord) 25 degrees 25 degrees
Wheelbase 11.04 m. 36 ft. 3 in.
Wheel track 7.59 m. 24 ft. 11 in.

while these are Boeings B737-300 details:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/images/737_nl_landing_250.jpg
Cockpit crew: two pilots.
Passengers single class: 134 - 149.
Passengers two class: - 8 first class.
- 120 economy class.
Cabin length: 22,12 m.
Cabin diameter: 3,54 m.
Cabin height: 2,15 m.
Cargo volume: - under floor 30,2 m³.
Wing span: 28,88 m.
Wing area: 105,4 m².
Wing sweep: 25 degrees.
Fuselage length: 32,18 m.
Fuselage diameter: 3,76 m.
Height: 11,11 m.
Horizontal tail unit: 12,70 m.
Wheelbase: 12,45 m.
Track: 5,23 m.
Engines: - two CFM International CFM56-3-B1 each rated 89.41 kN.

Weight: - empty: 31.500 Kg.

- max. zero-fuel weight: 48.300 Kg.

- fuel: 20.100 liters.

- max. payload: 16.150 Kg.

Max. take off weight: 61.250 Kg.
Max. landing weight: 51.700 Kg.
Cruise speed: 908 km/h.
Max. speed: 943 km/h.
Service ceiling: 6.890 m.
Range: 6.300 km.

in the end...this healthy competition between PAL and Cebu Pacific will directly benefit the riding public... :)

CEB starts all-new Airbus fleet

$ 670 M refleeting almost complete

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA

Cebu Pacific’s $ 670-million refleeting is almost complete, with the airline flying an all-new Airbus fleet today.

The carrier, which has aircraft less than 7 months, has the youngest fleet in the country and one of the youngest in Asia.

CEB’s Airbus A319 will have its maiden flights to Zamboanga and Butuan today, as well.

The new Airbus fleet replaces the DC9 planes that served CEB for the last ten years. The historic last flight of the airline’s DC9 aircraft was held yesterday with its 5J569 / 570 Manila-Cebu-Manila flight.

The airline gave a ceremonial retirement to its DC9 as the plane made its way to the domestic airport and also gave away 6 commemorative DC9 photos as Fun Flights prizes on the last flight.

"We have taken delivery of 10 brand-new Airbus aircraft and we await the delivery of 4 more until February 2007," according to Lance Gokongwei, CEB president and CEO. "As we continue to take delivery of our new and bigger planes, we are carrying on with our expansion program."

"Now with our brand new and bigger Airbus planes, we will be able to offer more seats at lower fares to the public," he added.

The Airbus A319s and A320s, which have a larger seating capacity, features the most modern design, the widest and most comfortable cabin, and the highest degree of operational efficiency of any single-aisle aircraft.

The airline currently services 17 domestic destinations and also flies to Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea. It is also set to start its Manila-Legaspi service on August 17 and Manila-Singapore on August 31, 2006.

Now in its 11th year, CEB pioneered low fares in the country in March 1996. It also introduced travelers to on-time service, e-ticketing and on-line booking, setting the standards for airline innovation in the local aviation industry..

Wow... That's a nice report. hehe... Anyway. It's good that the Cebu Pacific replaced all its fleet. I hope that they will revive the CEB - BXU route. Last December 2004, I have to book a flight to BXU from CEB. All ferries are fully booked that time. They had a special flight from CEB to BXU because of the demand. Holidays kasi eh. I hope they will revive this route, at least for holidays. THe flight will only take 20 mins (while ferries will take you 10 hours travel to Nasipit and about an hour jeepney to Butuan). So kung nagdali ka, plane nalang, diba? hehe...

Air industry eyed as catalyst for Caraga’s economic growth

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

BUTUAN CITY — An economic boom is expected in the Caraga region following a decision of an airline to acquire newer and better aircraft for domestic and international flights.


The maiden flight of the Cebu Pacific Airbus 319 to this city was attended by top airline officials, representatives from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Air Transport Office (ATO), and Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).

Also present were regional directors from line agencies of the government led by Butuan City Rep. Leovigildo B. Banaag, chairman of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources at the House of Representatives and Mayor Democrito Plaza II, chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

The new 150-seater Airbus 319 of Cebu Pacific upgrades the services offered by the company to travelers flying the Manila-Butuan route.

To boost tourism in the region, Cebu Pacific also designed special treats and holiday packages for passengers who will patronize the airline.

Meanwhile, Banaag announced that President Arroyo is set to release R5 million for the rehabilitation of the runway of the Bancasi Airport.

Aside from the commitment of the President to fund the R300-million modernization project to upgrade the facilities at the Bancasi Airport last year, Banaag said that another R55 million proposed in the 2006 budget is being allocated for the extension of the runway and passenger terminal and for the purchase of night flight facilities.

"The additional aircraft being launched and acquired by air companies in this region’s capital city is indeed an indicator that Caraga region is booming economically," Banaag said.

The solon also cited the inflow of big business investments, both foreign and domestic in the fields of tourism, mining, lumber and agricultural business opportunities, where thousands of employment opportunities will be generated, which translates to more revenues for the state’s coffers.

In the mining industry alone, Banaag revealed that at least 59,130 Butuanons benefited from new jobs.

The multi-billion Nonoc Mining Corp. is also set to operate in the city and an estimated 15,000 new jobs would be generated. Millions of pesos in taxes would also be generated at the mine site in Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, he added.

Banaag added thousands of hectares of land are being developed as tree plantations.

More foreign investors, particularly Europeans and Chinese, are also keen on investing in these plantations, he stressed.

P3.687-B Infra Project to Bring Economic Boom

Monday, July 24 2006 @ 12:08 AM BST

P3.687-B project to bring economic boom to Butuan City

The P3.687 billion project here is seen to jumpstart the
full economic boom of this regional capital city.

It can be recalled that Butuan City posted the lowest economic growth
since the 1960s due to flooding problem.

However, when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took the reign of the
presidency, Butuan City's economy improved, Butuan City solon Rep.
Leovigildo Banaag, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and
Natural Resources in the House of Representatives and Mayor Democrito
Plaza II, chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC) said in unison.

The Major Flood Control-Cluster 11 and Cotabato-Agusan River Basin
Development Project (CARBDP) led by Director Philip F. Menez is
supervising Phases I and II flood system projects of the Lower Agusan
Development Project (LADP) at the eastern and western part of the city.

The first flood system project of Phase 1 has been completed. The
project cost involved P740 million for the Construction of West Bank
and Land Development and followed by the P600 million Banza River
Improvement and Land Development of Package III, Phase II along the
eastern side of the city.

CARBDP-PMO Manager Rogelio O. Ang and Project Engineer Aurelio C.
Mendoza, said there are three major flood control projects soon to be
completed.

These are: P796 million Agusan River Improvement (east bank) and
Cut-Off Channel-Package 1, which will be completed in October 2006,
under contract with China International Water and Electric
Corporation; the P468 million Construction of Magsaysay Viaduct, to be
completed in November 2006, under contract with F.F. Cruz and Company,
Inc. – Package 2; and the P1.083 billion Masao River Improvement and
Construction of Urban Drainage System, which has also a target
completion date in February 2007 – Package IV, all of Phase II.

DPWH Assistant Secretaries Rafael Yabot and Juanito Avelgas and
Director Danilo Manalang of the Bureau of Design (BOD) inspected these
flood system projects recently and commended the local government unit
(LGU) for its full support to President Arroyo's multi-billion
infrastructure in this city.

"Despite some financial constraints and weather condition, our ground
engineers and workers continued their round-the-clock works just to
hit the target date of completion," said Director Menez.

Other supervising project engineers currently on the ground are Roy R.
Quilaton, Sergio M. Mulawan, Jr. and Paulino R. Madriaga.

The flood control projects in Agusan and Butuan are always adjudged as
best in quality and leadership performance by the Bureau of Design and
Bureau of Contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways
since 1999.

The Major Flood Control-Cluster II-CARBDP is eyeing another
multi-billion peso middle and upper Agusan flood control development
project, after Phase I and II, it was learned.

"Aside from existing businesses, several business groups, both foreign
and domestic are eyeing more business opportunities in this region,
particularly in mining, wood tree plantations and agriculture as flood
woe is already a thing of the past. Economic boom is already at hand
in this part of Mindanao," Rep. Banaag said. (PNA)

I thought the airport's budget for redevelopment and expansion was 650 Million as was announced last year, why is it reduced to 300 Million?

I am very positive that with all the infrastructure developments going on, Butuan economic growth will be phenomenal.

I think, if they will just use the budget wisely, that 300 million and 55 million pesos will give the bancasi airport a higher standard airport.

I think they should also build a taxiway along the runway.......for it to be of standard. Currently the runway is used by planes taxiing aside from its main purpose of landing and takeoff.

Aside from the airport......that planned international port in Masao should be given a headstart ASAP !

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/coatofarms.gif

I think they should also build a taxiway along the runway.......for it to be of standard. Currently the runway is used by planes taxiing aside from its main purpose of landing and takeoff.

Aside from the airport......that planned international port in Masao should be given a headstart ASAP !

Next time na ang taxi way... Butuan Airport have no traffic except from noon to 2 pm... so there's no need to have a taxiway. ang davao airport nga walang taxiway... pati ang cagayan de oro's airport

onday, July 31, 2006
Caraga execs urge gov't: Shun politics
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur -- Political and business leaders of Caraga region reiterated calls for national unity and survival during the recently concluded two-day 12th Caraga Business Conference in Butuan City last week.

These leaders challenged government officials and business leaders in Manila to focus more in the campaign against poverty especially in the countryside rather than wasting valuable time politicking.

Despite being rich in natural, agricultural and forestry resources and its wood industry supplying 70 percent of the country's wood needs, Caraga Region at present is the poorest among all sixteen regions in the country.

More than 300 participants from private and public sector also called on the people of Caraga Region to help build communities, strengthen capabilities and enhancing skills in developing the agriculture and forestry resources of the region for sustainable development.

They said Caraga folks should not pin their hopes in other illegal means like gambling and unwise use of natural resources.

Farmer leaders also challenged government to modernize agriculture while extending more incentives to working farmers in order to make agriculture a viable industry to young people.

Agusan del Sur local officials headed by Governor Adolph Edward Plaza said the decreasing interest of Filipino youths to farming is alarming and is to blame for the declining productivity in the agricultural sector.

Greater opportunity

In a speech before 300 participants, Plaza said the Provincial Government is willing to invest its last centavo to develop the agriculture sector of the province.

He said they have already strengthened the education sector to develop strategies and curricula in schools that will entice more youths to the agriculture sector.

"It is very saddening to note that graduates in agriculture school are working as domestic helpers and waiters abroad while some are applying for clerical jobs at the provincial capitol," Plaza said.

He said he is encouraging agricultural schools to teach agriculture students right there at the farms and dip their hands in mud planting.

"Even as they touch computer's key pads researching and browsing internets for modern agricultural technologies" Plaza said.

The province is developing a P25 million green house at the sprawling 80 hectares Taniman Ng Bayan Center in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur where seedlings of all sorts can be developed and found available to all young and old farmers alike.

The Philippine's Commercial Attaché' for China, Dr. Archimedes Gomez of the Department of Trade and Industry said Agusan del Sur's agricultural products like fresh fruits, coconut coir, mango puree' and abaca fiber have greater opportunity for the huge market in China.

Around 6,000 hectares of abaca plantation is set to be developed in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur while a huge wood processing firm for veneer and plywood is set to open before the year ends in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.

At present, Agusan del Sur is host of the two huge palm oil plantation and processing plants, the Filipinas Palm Oil and AGUMIL while its rice production has a surplus of more than 500,000 sacks a year.

Cut flower and other ornamental plants for export quality are now being developed in other parts of the province while Agusan del Sur is now host of thousands of hectares of export quality and sweet variety of Durian, Mangosteen and other high yield and value tropical fruits.

Organic durian dev’t for export eyed

By MELODY M. AGUIBA

The government is embarking on the propagation of organic durian which has huge potential as an export product with durian’s exotic nature and health benefits sought after by select foreign markets.


Roman B. Armenio Jr., Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 11 (Davao provinces) high value chief, said the Philippines is still struggling to make durian a mainstream tropical fruit product, and its organic growing may be the key to this.

The Philippines has started to grow durian on a commercial scale in the 1990s when the product became highly profitable in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

But despite these countries’ bigger hectarage for durian, the Philippines remains to have a smaller total area of 12,997 hectares. Thailand has 115,000 hectares; Malaysia, 85,000 hectares, and Indonesia, 40,000 hectares. Other countries planting it are Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, India, and Brunei.

While Thailand has started exporting durian products, the Philippines which is supposed to be among several geographic areas where durian can grow, has limited market for it even domestically.

But it has an opportunity to market the product as a health food.

"Durian is considered a complete food," said Armenio.

Durian has also become a flavoring for products such as ice cream, candies, and cakes.

One of the reasons for the slow growth of durian area in local farms is the wide infestation of diseases, mainly phytopthora, a wound on durian tree barks that prevent fruit productivity. It is a highly prevalent disease due to its easy spread by wind, rain water, insects, and snails and is a soil-borne fungus that can infect all stages of tree growth.

Organic growing of durian, integrated nutrient and pest management are seen as key to expanding production. For one, organic fertilizer grown in Partoza Organic Farm in Davao is known to prevent phytopthora.

DA is now propagating the growing of durian using organic fertilizers through a mixture of chicken dung, cow manure, trichoderma, and decomposed plant products such as banana peels, saw dust, durian rind, rice hulls, carbonated rice hull, corn cobs, and coffee hulls.

Other practices DA is encouraging to promote productivity is the provision of 40 percent shade on seedlings using fishnets or coconut fronds, removal of offshoot or sprouts below the union of the rootstock and scion, and application of foliar fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and copper.

Pruning gives vigor to fruiting branches, improves air circulation, increases light penetration, drives away harmful pests, and reduces the incidence of Phytophthora.

Mulching which involves accumulation of moisture is also a source of organic matter and conserves water during the dry period.

Davao provinces have the biggest area for durian growing in the country with a total of 9,025 hectares followed by Caraga (Surigao and Agusan provinces, Butuan), 1,655 hectares.

Other durian farms are found in Zamboanga Peninsula, 219 hectares; Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM—Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, TawiTawi, Basilan), 1,139 hectares; Central Mindanao, 813 hectares; Western Visayas, 98 hectares; and Southern Tagalog, 48 hectares.(MMA)

wow, I like durian. 2nd largest producer pala ang Butuan sa durian?. di ko yun alam :)

Hotel Karaga Lobby
http://www.hotelkaraga.com/images/lobby1.jpg

speaking of Durian....Uraya Farms has one of the largest Durian plantations here in Butuan....they also process Durian products such as ice cream......preserves.....like durian jam and pastries.....good for pasalubong......I usually buy some stufff as pasalubong whenever I travel to Manila, Cebu etc.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Caraga lawmakers back Minda railway system
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY -- Butuan City Representative Leovigildo Banaag and Surigao del Sur Representative Prospero Pichay Jr. are pushing for the immediate start of the much awaited Mindanao Railway System Project.

The two Mindanao lawmakers said the cheap means of transportation it can provide for the people and goods in Mindanao will spur economic development and progress of the country's second largest island.

Banaag, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources told Sun.Star, the railway system for Mindanao can provide fast and cheap transportation of goods of the island from its vast, rich natural and agricultural resources.

"Cheap means of transporting goods and people can reduce additional cost of finished products sold in markets and more people easily move around which means more tourism investments because of accessibility," Banaag explained.

Although, in the original plan Surigao del Sur was not part of the railway system project Pichay said the project will indirectly benefit Caraga Region.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Director Benjamen Tumaliuan, Caraga Region supplies 65 percent of the country's wood supply needs in the lumber and furniture industries.

Among the 37 mining investment areas in the country, 17 are situated in Caraga Region, which produces gold, copper, nickel and chromite.

Phase 1 of the project is the cities of Cagayan de Oro-Butuan-Surigao line, which covers a total distance of 320 kilometers.

A pre-feasibility study was recently done by Transport East West Expert Team GmbH Germany known as "TEWET" and the Austrian Rail Engineering (ARE) based in Vienna, Austria.

The National Government through the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the project under a concessional loan extended by the governments of Austria and Germany.

Phase III of the Mindanao Railway System Project is the cities of Butuan-Davao-General Santos line which covers a total of 390 kilometers passing through provinces of Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Saranggani.

The project will be handled also by foreign railway construction giants, TEWET of Germany and Austrian Rail Engineering (ARE) Banaag and Pichay claimed that since the pre-feasibility studies have already been completed the National Government and the governments of Austria and Germany can start the project the soonest.

The cities of Iligan-Zamboanga line are to be handled by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India through its subsidiary IPCON International Limited and the Thaipicon and Industry Co. Ltd. (TPCON) of Thailand.

TPCON and IPCON are also responsible for the construction of the cities of Cagayan de Oro-Iligan line.

Mindanao Railways is unfortunately one of the overdue biggest projects that has somehow become a "bait" for promises everytime during national elections.
Presidentiables and senatorial candidates talk about it for awhile then forget about it later on.

I hope when the mining activities begin, they now push through the project.

mataga na to, diba? sayang nga lang kasi. kung inumpisahan na nila nito noon, e di sana, tapos na 'to. Hindi kasi 'to madali eh. nung time na yun, magulo pa sa mindanao (according to international press.. d lang nila alam, layo lang maxado and liit lang. hindi apektado ang whole Mindanao). Kaya siguro nag back out ang mga foreign companies.

Kung gagawin na nila ito ngayon, sana maganda ang kalabasan. I expect na maganda ang railway system. Same to Japan ang Korea. and Maganda ang location sa butuan, diba? intersection xa. So when the project is finished, Butuan's economy will boom, diba?

considering the wide area to be covered by this project (Mindanao Railways)
Especially Iligan-CDO-Butuan-Surigao; Butuan-Davao-Gensan; Mindanao will be the "Honshu" of the Philippines.

But the myopic approach of some economic planners up there, the way they see development in Mindanao.....this project is threatened by oblivion!

2!!#!!***

Butuan to represent Caraga in national search for most child friendly city


by Lovely Laudette D. Gamba

BUTUAN CITY (August 4) -- Butuan City became the uncontested regional entry to the national search for the Most Child Friendly City (Highly Urbanized City Category), being the only highly urbanized city in the region.

"We really hope to make it to the national level. We hope that the regional evaluators will find everything in order and that we will get enough points to qualify to the national search", said Mrs. Aldheberan Mordeno, Head of the City Social Welfare and Development office.

Although Butuan City is the lone entry to the national search for the highly urbanized city category, the city needs to get 90 points from the regional evaluation to be able to make it to the national search.

Recently, the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) conducted a regional evaluation of the city's child friendly programs and projects. Based on feedbacks, the city seems to qualify during the regional evaluation. (PIA-13

Mindanao leaders prepare mega projects

BUTUAN CITY (PNA) – The Confederation of Mindanao Leaders (Comil) yesterday strongly expressed their all-out support to the newly formed Mindanao Super Region for full economic development and more progressive southern islands.
South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes, the newly elected president of the Comil, said chief executives of various provinces in Mindanao, with their respective regio-nal development councils have started outlining several mega-strategies and mega-development plans for implementation and guidelines.

“Our ranks have committed to push full Mindanao development through the Mindanao Super Region,” Fuentes said.

President Gloria Ma-capagal-Arroyo has desig-nated her top peace nego-tiator Secretary Jesus Du-reza to head the Mindanao super-region projects.

Dureza said he has met with Mindanao leaders and drew various strategies to activate the mega pro-jects in Mindanao.

“The Mindanao super-region has been launched as local government exe-cutives closed ranks to push Mindanao’s peace and development strate-gies,” he said.

According to Dureza, the confederation of Min-danao leaders collectively support the super-region initiatives.

The Comil expressed its full support after Dureza inducted the group’s new officers with immediate past president Governor Emmanuel Piñol as ex-officio member.

Dureza said the Min-danao Economic Develop-ment Council (MEDCO) will be the lead agency in implementing projects that have been lined up for the super-region.

This is in line with President Arroyo’s State-of-the Nation Address (SONA) that detailed a blueprint for sustainable economic development anchored on the creation of five super-regions across the country.

President Arroyo an-nounced the creation of the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, Central Philippines, Min-danao and the Cyber Corri-dor.

She outlined a multi-billion infrastructure deve-lopment program spread across the five super-regions in the country

Butuan has definitely a sizeable role to this mega region considering its status as the center of this island's 2nd largest administrative region in terms of territorial area.

P7-B MRDP program set for Mindanao's rural projects
Sunday, August 06 2006 @ 12:18 PM BST

The P7 billion Mindanao Rural Development Project (MRDP) fund is ready for distribution to the 108 towns in the southern island, government officials said on Sunday.

MRDP officials said Surigao del Sur province is one of the 25 qualified beneficiaries of Phase II, and is now at the height of preparing for the implementation of its various projects.

Surigao del Sur is also identified by the National Statistics Office (NSO) as one of the beneficiaries in Mindanao.

Other areas will be implemented next year until 2011 under MRDP Phase II program, it was learned.

The P7 billion budget will fund target beneficiaries such as rural infrastructures, community fund for agricultural development (CFAD), environmental protection and capability building.

Seven municipalities of Surigao del Sur already qualified and passed the criteria set by MRDP Phase II program. These would also include high incidence of poverty, potential in agriculture, no assistance received from other sources, and with ready Barangay Development Plan (BDP).

"Our people are very happy to receive this MRDO's program, which will also alleviate their living condition," said Gov. Vicente Pimentel.

The implementation of MRDP Phase II is due to the successful completion of MRDP Phase I that ended in 2004, benefiting the provinces of Compostela Valley, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Agusan del Sur.

The MRDP Phase I and Phase II program provide more infrastructure, job generation, education and health, among other things, said Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza II, chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

Butuan City solon Rep. Leovigildo B. Banaag, chairperson of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources also said that MRDP is one of President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo's Mindanao priority programs to uplift the living condition of the Filipino people particularly in the countryside. (PNA)

Mindanao Mega-region to hasten full economic development
Monday, July 24 2006 @ 10:19 AM BST

The newly organized Mindanao Mega-region will boost the full economic development in southern Philippines.

The result of the recent Mindanao Mega-planning discussion in Davao City will be part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) this afternoon before the joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A ranking member of Mindanao block solon, butuan City Rep. Leovigildo B. Banaag, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in the House of Representatives, said the new strategy in forming the six regions into one in Mindanao, will open the door for more foreign and domestic investors, full scale economy and more income and employment generation.

"This I can say now that we will be more globally competitive," said Rep. Banaag.

The Mindanao Mega-region is composed of Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and ARMM.

"Mindanao Mega-region will break the too much bureaucratic clog that impedes progress in the countryside," Banaag added.

According to Presidential Mindanao Development Secretary Jesus Dureza, Mindanao is being identified as the Agri-Business center in the southern Philippines.

Dureza said consultations among regional leaders and business groups are already moving, in identifying further possible areas for multi-billion investments.

The close cooperation and consultation among the Regional Development Councils (RDC's) in the six regions has also seen faster economic growth and development.

Based on statistics, Caraga region was allotted by the National government 1.3 percent while ARMM was given 1.5 percent, and the other regions 2 percent or 1.1 percent.

"Mindanao Mega-region will ultimately address poverty which is the main cause of insurgency," butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza II said. (PNA)

5th Coco Festival slated at SM Megamall
PIA News


Butuan City (10 August) -- Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Oscar G. Garin has bared the holding of the 5th Coconut Festival and 19th National Coconut Week with the theme "Coconut is Life". The activity will highlight the expanding versatility of coconut through various food and non-food products and by-products produced all over the country at the Trade Fair and Exhibit at the Mega Trade Hall II, Megamall, Mandaluyong City from August 24 to 27.

The PCA will spearhead the celebration, which will pay tribute to coconut as the Tree of Life as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 142, Series of 1987. This is in partnership with the Center for International Trade Exposition and Missions (CITEM) and the PCA-Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PCA-EMPCI).

This year's event which will provide a venue for information-sharing and trading activities will showcase the business opportunities from the Tree of Life which will attest that indeed "THERE IS MONEY IN COCONUT".

Activities have been lined up for the celebration which include lectures on: innovations on farm productivity management, health and wellness, use of coconut water in the treatment of kidney disease, success stories of stakeholders, various cooking demonstration.

mataga na to, diba? sayang nga lang kasi. kung inumpisahan na nila nito noon, e di sana, tapos na 'to. Hindi kasi 'to madali eh. nung time na yun, magulo pa sa mindanao (according to international press.. d lang nila alam, layo lang maxado and liit lang. hindi apektado ang whole Mindanao). Kaya siguro nag back out ang mga foreign companies.

Kung gagawin na nila ito ngayon, sana maganda ang kalabasan. I expect na maganda ang railway system. Same to Japan ang Korea. and Maganda ang location sa butuan, diba? intersection xa. So when the project is finished, Butuan's economy will boom, diba?

I hope this project will be pursued. This will give Mindanao the advantage. This will spur economic developments islandwide.

you're absolutely correct on that tj.

but for how long shall we wait for this project's implementation....

hope it will not take forever.

STREET SMART
Local heroes


By Mandy Navasero
Inquirer
Last updated 00:51am (Mla time) 08/12/2006

Published on page F2 of the August 12, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEROISM runs through the veins of the Doroteo family in the village San Jose, Antipolo.

Headed by Tatay Erning, each member of this family contributes to the improvement of their community.

One notable contribution is the establishment of a formal school in the Dumagat-populated community. The Doroteos believe that “education will set our people from poverty.”

So, Tatay Erning initiated efforts to put up a school in the remote locality. With the Doroteo family’s dedication and hard work, the Dumagats now have a school for their children.

Mission

Erning’s wife, Nanay Azon, plays an important part in this mission: She provides special assistance to neighbors in need of medical care. The Bayanihan spirit works well for this family. The couple has inspired other Dumagats to participate in community-building efforts.

It is this selfless spirit that recently won for the Doroteo family the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Award (Family category), recently.

* * *

The Mandy Navasero Batanes and Coron Photo Safari, and this year’s participants to our summer photo workshop will mount an exhibit that will feature Batanes, Busuanga, Butuan, Bacolod, Bulusan and Laguna, jointly with our major sponsor, the Rockwell Power Plant Mall, from Aug. 24 to 27.

Batanes photos will be auctioned off on Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. Proceeds will be used for the restoration of Ivatan stone houses, a project headed by former DepEd secretary, Florencio “Butch” Abad.

i've heard alots goodthing and wonderful images about butuan so its rocks,,,

mataga na to, diba? sayang nga lang kasi. kung inumpisahan na nila nito noon, e di sana, tapos na 'to. Hindi kasi 'to madali eh. nung time na yun, magulo pa sa mindanao (according to international press.. d lang nila alam, layo lang maxado and liit lang. hindi apektado ang whole Mindanao). Kaya siguro nag back out ang mga foreign companies.

Kung gagawin na nila ito ngayon, sana maganda ang kalabasan. I expect na maganda ang railway system. Same to Japan ang Korea. and Maganda ang location sa butuan, diba? intersection xa. So when the project is finished, Butuan's economy will boom, diba?
give us the inside look of urios colleges whats going on...

give us the inside look of urios colleges whats going on...


Don't know bai... matagal matagal 2x na rin ako ahindi naka uwi sa amin. :) Cebu here.

hello SkyscraperCity Forumers!
pa plug lang! try to see this video...
Visit Davao!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJJey5tbs-0

tnx

Don't know bai... matagal matagal 2x na rin ako ahindi naka uwi sa amin. :) Cebu here.
i miss urios dude,i studied there 15 years ago.now resides canada.thats why i asked .

hello SkyscraperCity Forumers!
pa plug lang! try to see this video...
Visit Davao!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJJey5tbs-0

tnx
magnifecient dude ,amazing video.i missed davao its been freakin long time.i was there in the 90's.awesome,come and look at canada tourism.

i've heard alots goodthing and wonderful images about butuan so its rocks,,,

welcome to the thread Alvie1000

I must say that Butuan is the Dark Horse in development.....we can now hear this horse's treads getting louder coming swiftly from behind... :)

http://images.google.com.ph/images?q=tbn:9k5LmnERe0O0hM:http://www.dark-horse-farms.com/images/375_7Natasha6weekoldxamyfillyoutofmorganmare4-28-05web.jpg
dark horse..lols :)

while most of the cities are on WW3, this horse shall come and pass ahead swiftly by :) :)

^^ What Butuan needs is to harness a lot of its land. And it should develop its water.

Another thing is that Butuan should improve the butuanon dialect even more. I think it adds an exotic factor to the city.

with its land area.; the city I guess is the 3rd largest in Mindanao.

to give an update on how this huge land is now being used, a lot of areas are now being devoted to industrial tree plantations, this as the government is trying to attract more players in investing in this segment. another is the plantations, cofee and high value crops are being introduced to the uplands of Tungao, Bit-os, Manila de Bugabos etc. while almost 2000 ha of land is now almost occupied by durian plantations alone.

the impact of the CARBDP-LADP (Irrigation Component) which has significantly contributed to increased agri output by providing irrigation to approx 25,000 of land in th south and south east has improved palay production steadily over the past 5 years.

the city's coastal barangays employs aquaculture as fishponds are being built and maintained.

on the urban land development, the city is bent of developing satellite urbanized communities by building more roads that fan out from the congested center and shall serve as future areas of metropolization.

water accessibility is also being given emphasis as the city seems to be on a 'do or die' stance in the building of the 7 Billion Port Complex in Masao.

in terms of language or the Butuan dialect, while local efforts have been made over years like speaking Butuanon on the city's charter day, academic participation in the study and appreciation of the Butuanon language,....still unfortunately now this ancient golden tounge is threatened by the inevitable roll of modernization and rapid urbanization.

http://my.urianpublication.com/cms/images/rsgallery/display/urios_new_logo-copy27-curves_copy.jpg.jpg

considering the wide area to be covered by this project (Mindanao Railways)
Especially Iligan-CDO-Butuan-Surigao; Butuan-Davao-Gensan; Mindanao will be the "Honshu" of the Philippines.

But the myopic approach of some economic planners up there, the way they see development in Mindanao.....this project is threatened by oblivion!

2!!#!!***

Let's see first if they can ever complete the rehabilitation of the Luzon railway system and if this can be operated viably.

A railway system requires enormous amount of capital and a strong political will to make it financially feasible. Besides the capital for infrastructure, it also requires big revenues for its operations. The old PNR deteriorated badly because it was not operating viably. The fares were pegged at ridiculously low rates supposedly to benefit the poor commuters. The government heavily subsidized its operations. Everytime a train runs, it loses big money. The government would not and could not raise the fares, because of this myopic view of serving the poor. But where will you get the money to pay for the maintenance of the system, pay for the salaries, pay for the fuel, buy modern cars, secure the tracks and pay for the loans that financed it? The government continously pour subsidy money! Poor (as in kawawang) taxpayers! Many of them will not even make a single ride on these trains.

So will a Mindanao railway system, with a much smaller market than Luzon), be financially viable? or will it be another drain to the nation's budget? Will the riders be willing to pay corresponding fares? Or will the system just be allowed to deteriorate, when the government have no money to further subsidize it? We must ponder on these and other questions before we get too excited.

http://my.urianpublication.com/cms/images/rsgallery/display/urios_new_logo-copy27-curves_copy.jpg.jpg



ei... i posted this one already....

welcome to the thread Alvie1000

I must say that Butuan is the Dark Horse in development.....we can now hear this horse's treads getting louder coming swiftly from behind... :)
you're right my friend,here in canada we had alot of topics to be discuss or to be shared but for me is good to be ours.so unleashed our voice and let the horse run wild,person like me so patriotic to our beloved homeland,let butuan raise up,lets upleft the future and scream quite out loud and hear,listen the horse run wild on this planet..vive les butuan,vive les philippines en bounjourney..keep posting threads my friend,,

Let's see first if they can ever complete the rehabilitation of the Luzon railway system and if this can be operated viably.

A railway system requires enormous amount of capital and a strong political will to make it financially feasible. Besides the capital for infrastructure, it also requires big revenues for its operations. The old PNR deteriorated badly because it was not operating viably. The fares were pegged at ridiculously low rates supposedly to benefit the poor commuters. The government heavily subsidized its operations. Everytime a train runs, it loses big money. The government would not and could not raise the fares, because of this myopic view of serving the poor. But where will you get the money to pay for the maintenance of the system, pay for the salaries, pay for the fuel, buy modern cars, secure the tracks and pay for the loans that financed it? The government continously pour subsidy money! Poor (as in kawawang) taxpayers! Many of them will not even make a single ride on these trains.

So will a Mindanao railway system, with a much smaller market than Luzon), be financially viable? or will it be another drain to the nation's budget? Will the riders be willing to pay corresponding fares? Or will the system just be allowed to deteriorate, when the government have no money to further subsidize it? We must ponder on these and other questions before we get too excited.

CDO to Butuan VV Butuan to Davao vv / CDO to Davao v Butuan and vv Line has 24 hours round the clock bus service. Not even Luzon's Baliwag and Victory Liner offers 24 hour bus service to north or south Luzon destinations.

Luzon has Only prime destination.. that is centered on Manila......Mindanao has several regional destinations shared among its key cities.

saying Mindanao ridership is "much" smaller than that of Luzon....and that puts into question the viability of a railway project..... is entirely Incorrect.

It is based on population. The population of Luzon outside Metro manila is still bigger than Mindanao. Luzon's per capita income is much bigger than Mindanao, (the biggest region in terms of population and income are Calabarzon and Central Luzon). If we talk about ridership, the five largest bus companies in the Philippines (Victory, Five Star, Rabbit, Baliwag, Philtranco) are all based in Luzon. The only big company serving Mindanao is Vallacar (Ceres/Bachelor) and it operates not just in Mindanao but also in the Visayas.

Don't get me wrong, we all agree that this big imbalance of development and government attention between Luzon and Mindanao is abhorrent and should be reversed. But if we talk about project viability at this point, a Mindanao railway is nowhere near it. As I have said, it would be a big drain on the nation's pocket and operating it would be waste of taxpayer's money.

By the way, do you know that all the MRT/LRT lines are losing money in a big way (even just operationally, not to mention the cost of financing; even the LRT I which was built by Marcos has not been paid yet). Technical experts estimate that commuters should pay at least P40 minimum in order for the system to break even. The present minimum fare is just P12 ("to serve the poor"). Go figure how much is the government (meaning taxpayers) subsidy per passenger, and the whole system, considering that more than half a million people ride it EVERYDAY.

^^ I agree with it. I think Mindanao will still do with the good roads it has. And since we are an island and our terrain isn't that rough, I think we can't do away with a railroad.

are those MRT LRT lines built under BOT scheme?

they can build Mindanao Railway under BOT.

Private corporations (especially foreign) have been burned by the unpredictability of government policies and court decisions regarding BOT schemes. Look at what happened to the PEA Amari deal, Manila Hotel and the latest, NAIA 3. The MRT was built by a private consortium (including Ayala and FilEstate), but they have to transfer the operations to the government because of heavy losses, partly caused by the government decision to peg fares at very low rates.

http://my.urianpublication.com/cms/images/rsgallery/display/urios_new_logo-copy27-curves_copy.jpg.jpg


Jesuit (Society of Jesus) seal bearing the letters IHS which stands for the Latin word Iesus Hominum Salvator Jesus Savior of Men

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Ihslgoldblueogo.jpg

note the leters IHS in the Ateneo de Manila University Seal, Philipppines leading Jesuit school

http://www.admu.edu.ph/ateneo/www/SiteFiles/Image/about_ateneo/seal.gif

speaking of Durian....Uraya Farms has one of the largest Durian plantations here in Butuan....they also process Durian products such as ice cream......preserves.....like durian jam and pastries.....good for pasalubong......I usually buy some stufff as pasalubong whenever I travel to Manila, Cebu etc.
just bought a few here at Uraya, smells so good :)

just bought a few here at Uraya, smells so good :)
i'm not a big fun of durian,taste funny...you should go to mangagoy,they take it for you at the bottom of the three.its a great adventure too.

Jesuit (Society of Jesus) seal bearing the letters IHS which stands for the Latin word Iesus Hominum Salvator Jesus Savior of Men

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Ihslgoldblueogo.jpg

note the leters IHS in the Ateneo de Manila University Seal, Philipppines leading Jesuit school

http://www.admu.edu.ph/ateneo/www/SiteFiles/Image/about_ateneo/seal.gif
Does anybody know any March 2004 nursing graduates from Urios college who reviewed in R.U.N. Cebu and took the December 2004 licensure exam? I used to work at R.U.N. and I absolutely loved those guys from Urios. They were my favorite.

Nasaan na pala yung golden tara ng butuan? Nasa US pa rin ba?

the original Golden Tara is still in Display at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago.....our political leaders have failed still in getting it back....sadly it is one of the strongest evidences of Butuan's strong Siri Vidjayan link in the past

i'm not a big fun of durian,taste funny...you should go to mangagoy,they take it for you at the bottom of the three.its a great adventure too.

they say that the fruit daw must be individually picked?....is that true?

they say that the fruit daw must be individually picked?....is that true?
i bought one time,with my girlfriend here in montreal,canada,coz she so curious about the smell, and shes white like the first time she saw the fruit you know we had over here a filipino store galing bicol.and i took one so when i open it the smell was so strong she gag and literally she puke like a mule.and i vomitt too.

going back to Butuan...

from Davao as I travel on a daytime makes one see all the feverish works along the whole stretch of Langkilaan up to San Francisco as fresh high grade concrete are being poured by Daewoo Engineering and Construction.....finally the Koreans are building this vital stretch of road link.

what was nice to note is that the highway has paved shoulders and wide along major towns making it to 4 to 6 lanes wide.

the new highway going to the new bridge is also being paved now with concrete.....the cables are now in place. There's also a riverine highway being built near the Magsaysay east approach near the soon to be connected viaduct.....they say that the riverine highway is also an elevated levee to protect the east bank from inundation.

unfortunately my cam was not revived....wala na ako cam....with all the pics from Davao...sayang I could have took photos of all the construction activities :gaah: :gaah:

Misortel, Bayantel ink interconnect pact

TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant Bayan Telecommunications Inc. (BayanTel) signed an agreement with Misamis Oriental Telephone Company (Misortel) providing interconnection between the subscribers of the two companies.

In a press statement sent to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, Misortel Manager Relio Acero said the interconnection agreement would allow Misortel subscribers to use local calling between BayanTel subscribers in Agusan.

The agreement also covers Misortel subscribers in Cagayan De Oro City, the municipalities of Alubijid, Mulogan, Bulua, Jasaan and Tagoloan, and BayanTel subscribers in Butuan City, Agusan Norte, and Agusan Sur.

Misortel President and Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno said they are pleased with the opportunity to interconnect Misortel with Bayan subscribers.

"For one, it gives greater convenience to the people in Misamis Oriental and hopefully, it should spur more business and commerce within the region," Moreno said.

BayanTel marketing head Mauro Santos revealed that with the expected launch of BayanTel SPAN -- a wireless phone that charges unlimited call and text within the network similar to a landline in October in Cagayan de Oro -- the interconnection would allow more people to avail of the service.

The service was launched recently in other Mindanao cities like General Santos and Davao where it is now one of the fastest selling services in the market.

"We see growth and potential in Mindanao that's why we are allocating our resources to innovate our service to the people of Mindanao," Santos said.

401-IB relocates to Butuan


BANCASI, BUTUAN CITY (29 August) -- The 401st Infantry (Unite N' Fight) Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army has relocated its base and arrived at Bancasi, Butuan City on August 18, 2006. The 401st (Unite N' Fight) brigade has assumed its new assigned area of responsibility over the Caraga Region after a year and a month stint in Davao del Norte and Davao City when it relocated its base at Bancasi, this City.

Col Luini C Mirar, 401st Brigade commander said that effective August 18, 2006 the brigade's security responsibility over Davao del Norte and Davao City, Laak ComVal Province and the municipalities of Loreto, Veruela and Sta. Josefa, all of Agusan del Sur was terminated.

The said areas were relinquished by the 401st Infantry Brigade and is assumed by the newly activated 1001st Brigade, 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army except for the municipalities of Loreto, Sta. Josefa and Veruela of Agusan del Sur which were assumed by the 402nd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry division, Philippine Army based in New Leyte, Awa, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

In the same operational control of 30th Infantry Battalion, based in Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte, the 5th Special Forces Company, 2nd Special Forces Battalion stationed at Dulag, Butuan City including CAA units in the various areas of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte under administration and supervision of 23rd Cadre Battalion.

With the brigade's presence in Caraga Region, Col Mirar, with its OPCON units is optimistic to get on its mandate in protecting and serving the people of its new area of responsibility with the cooperation of local government units, the PNP, religious, private and business sectors, the media and most specially the people of Caraga region who are the stakeholders. (PIA) [top]

Let me the one who will first greet you all a Merry-merry Christmas!!!


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g283/boju4289/NaawanArc.jpg


Photo: Naawan Arc of Friendship- winning the grand prize of the nationwide landmark-making contest “Christmasterpiece: Bayanihang Pasko 2005,” mounted by Lady’s Choice.

nice photo boju; is that picture taken from Tangub?...they used to have a Christmas festival of all the Christmas Trees and Arcs and Belens in their public plaza....

Sa Naawan, Misamis Oriental kana, sila ang midaug sa national nga indigay sa Bayanihang Pasko 2005, gipildi nila ang ubang entry sa tibook Pilipinas uban na ang taga Tangub nga dunay upat ka entry.

Butuan Archeological Sites
Property names are listed in the language in wich they have been submitted by the State Party.
Philippines (Asia and the Pacific)


Date of Submission: 16/05/2006
Submission prepared by:
National Museum

State, Province or Region:
CaragaRegion - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
Coordinates: N8 57 E125 29 55
Criteria: (vii)
Ref.: 2071


Description

In 1975, as a result of the construction of an extensive network of large drainage channels, or esteros, to relieve Butuan City from destructive annual floods, significant amounts of archaeological artifacts were discovered that dated back to the Age of Contact with the Great Traditions of Asia, co-eval with the Yueh type wares to Ming Dynasties of ancient China from the 10th Century to the 16th Century AD. 1) The major finds in various areas is the appearance of the remains of large open-water-going boats, the "balanghai" of historical records. The same type of boats and construction has been recovered in Sumatra and Pontian in Malaysia, apparently of the same period. There eleven of these boats: three were fully excavated, two preserved, and the rest still unexcavated. The boats are of Neolithic architecture using a planking edge-peg technology. The boats range in age from the 10th to the 13th century AD.

2) The other significant sites yielded multiple interred wooden coffin burials, containing secondary burials that feature modified skulls that are frontally flattened, ascribed to the 14th-15th Century AD. Similar finds in Central Philippines have yielded similar burials but with the difference that all these were found in caves along the islands coasts.

3) The third significant feature of the stratified sites are the tremendous amounts of trade high-fired ceramics coming from China, Cambodia, Thailand and other southeast Asian countries were also recovered, as well as distinctive white stamped pottery from Thailand; and Persian glassware, suggesting prehistoric links as far as the Middle East.

There were other notable discoveries like the Ivory Seal and the Silver Paleograph. Gold and tools for gold processing of ornaments have also been recovered from a village site Over a hundred clay crucibles and tools for the processing of gold items were discovered in the area, leading to the conclusion that an extensive gold ornaments industry was located in these areas as far back as a thousand years ago. Altogether, these data demonstrate that Butuan was a thriving international trading port a thousand years ago. This site has a tremendous historical impact in the Asian region.


Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:
The finds were authenticated by the National Museum, and deeper studies by reputable archaeologists were subsequently done. The oldest Chinese ceramic ware found in Butuan were the Yueh and Yueh type ware which dated back to the Five Dynasties (A.D. 907- 960). In a quantitative survey of the ceramics discovered in Butuan, there were representative types from various Asian realms, ranked according to volume: Chinese (10th - 15th centuries A.D.); Khmer/ Cambodian (9th-10th centuries A.D.); Thai (14th - 15th centuries A.D.) pre-Thai Satingpra (900-1100 A.D.); Haripunjaya (800-900 A.D.); pre-trade Vietnamese (11th - 13th centuries A.D.), and Persian (9th - 10th centuries A.D.)

Comparison with other similar properties:

There is no other known site in the Southeast Asian region that have archaeological recoveries of a concentration of large, open-water going boats, as that found in Butuan. The fact that the boats are of Neolithic marine architecture is very unique, and which date between the 10th and 13th century AD. Only one other boat has been found in Southeast Asia, specifically in Pontian, Malaysia, where a similar boat was recovered.

It is also unique that an entire village site has been found to contain evidences of a specialization in the purification of gold and the manufacture of gold ornaments, dating at least to the Ming Dynasty. There is no report of a similar find in the rest of the region.

The presence of deformed skulls in underground coffin burials have counter parts in the rest of the country, but differing in that the rest were found in caves along coasts of islands in Central Philippines. Deformed skulls have been reported in some areas in Southeast Asia, as in Sulawesi.

Source: UNESCO
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2071/

Gikan ko Butuan last August. Niuli man ko kai intrams man sa skul.. Ngayon, balik cebu na. hehehe... Sorry wala ko kuha mga pics... medyo busy eh... D rin ako nakapunta sa construction site ng 2nd magsaysay bridge. Pero I'm glad Urios is now a university. But same old uniforms... sana they will change the uniforms din.. they also repainted the overpass. ang logo sa gym and sa main campus, wala pa... :)

1900
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1949
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2006
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wow, na preserve ha! what happened to the other tower?

the old church was originally built by the Jesuits I believed in the late 1800's which was mostly made of wood. The church probably was later completely rebuilt sometime in the early 50's. what remained constant is the statue of Rizal and the century old Acacia tree (now a very big tree) which was not seen in the present picture.

Yup. Yung old church, ngayon highway na. hehehe

http://images.mountmayapay.multiply.com/image/3/photos/3/orig/35/potential_urban_expansion.gif?et=MkhIZfYfo47Zl4idI7yK4Q

This is the latest geo map of the city identifying areas most favorable for further urban expansion and development.

The areas (colored green) are the barangays of Pinamangculan, Bancasi, Ambago, Pagatpatan, Upper Suatan, Tungao, Mandacpan, Bonbon

ICC to conduct 21st international coastal cleanup
PIA News

by Lovely Laudette Gamba

BUTUAN CITY (September 5) -- The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), the world's largest cleanup initiative for a cleaner and safer environment will conduct its 21st coastal cleanup on September 16, 2006.

In consonance with the said event, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) enjoins all government agencies to actively participate and extend full support to this significant activity.

To show the country's support to the global initiative, Presidential Proclamation No. 470 was issued in 2003. Since then, a significant number of agencies have joined the International Marinelife Alliance (IMA-Philippines) and Conservation International-Philippines (CI-Philippines) as partners for this global concern.

Among the agencies are, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

ICC was initiated in 1986 by The Ocean Conservancy based in Washington, D.C. as a population prevention and monitoring organization. The Philippines joined the ICC in 1994 and to date has mobilized more than two million volunteers. (PIA-13) [top]

Green group opens Mindanao environment program
By Ben Serrano
Sunstar Daily

BUTUAN CITY -- Green Mindanao Foundation Inc., a non-government organization, is set to launch one million hectares involving one million people especially indigenous people in communities for advocating people's rights and initiative for environmental and forest preservation and protection in Mindanao.

During Staff and Media Orientation/Briefing at Consuelo Beach Retreat and Training Center in Barangay Consuelo, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental Friday, Green Mindanao Project Director Butch Dagondon said the goal was to tap people's conviction cognizant of a most critical challenge in protecting at least one million hectares of remnant forest in Mindanao for its own survival.

"Green Mindanao's 15 years of various trysts into its multi-pronged engagement and developing best approaches has matured its forest campaign crucial in securing the future of the people," Dagondon told newsmen and participants of the briefing.

The project will be anchored on acknowledging tribal peoples' actions and practices demonstrating effective protection of tribal lands and territories.

It will also compliment with government's various forest conservation programs along with the churches and civil society's efforts on ecological protection, which will be challenged and integrated.

The project aims to advocate Indigenous People's Rights and Welfare as it aimed to strengthen education and information campaign of the Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA Law) in the protection of environment such as oil spills, destructive logging and mining activities.

On strengthening information and education campaign, the movement aims to teach indigenous people's capabilities to document, record and advocate activities on environmental protection by at least production of documentary films.

Among activities expected to be conducted under the project are; Tribal people gathering and forum in parallel with other environmental groups' advocacies such as "Adopt a Mountain Campaign", Community-based Wildlife and Sanctuary ecosystems management, Coastal Areas and related territorial ecosystems.

A three-day forum to be held here in Butuan City is scheduled on the last week of September 2006 with at least 50 tribal leaders and 25 representatives from allied NGOs, church, media and Indigenous People's network in Mindanao, Green Mindanao Executive Director Butch Dagondon said.

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Repainted but unfortunately commercialized :mad:

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Riverside Views ~ Cleared Up

wow! that's a change. I wonder where all those riverside shanties went.

this side of the city I must say needs a facelift. hopefully that planned riverside park and boardwalk will start soon.

regarding that viaduct, it seems its not yet connected to the Magsaysay approach. and that riverside boulevard I guess along Baan is not going fast as expected. I guess those chinese contractors should concentrate on each project para mas mabilis and not to build them all at the same time.

177,000 Hectares Open for Tree Growers in Philippines' Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, Sept 8 Asia Pulse - The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced on Friday that at least 177,000 hectares for tree plantation are open to both foreign and domestic growers in the Caraga region.
The DENR also disclosed that holders of Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFM), Caraga Integrated Tree Farmers Group, small farm tree growers, and other foreign nationals planning to expand their reforestation projects can now apply for and avail these open lands, including technical aspects from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) spread at various areas in the region.

"We are vigorously continuing this reforestation projects without let up at various areas in the Caraga region," said Caraga DENR Regional Executive Director Benjamin T. Tumaliuan.

To date, Tumaliuan said about 59,662 hectares are being fully planted by various plantation owners and farm tree growers at various areas in the region, particularly in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. "These are government and private initiative and foreign assisted projects," he said.

During the assessment and evaluation meeting with top DENR officials in the region on Friday, it was learned that about 60,000 tree seedlings and saplings were also planted along the national highway and major thoroughfares at various corners in the region during the nationwide simultaneous massive tree planting activities last August 25.

Field personnel of the DENR in the four provinces of Caraga Region reported that planted seedlings have survived two weeks after they were planted along the 260-km Pan-Philippine Highway from Lipata, Surigao del Norte to Langkilaan, Trento Agusan del Sur and the main highways in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur. ADVERTISEMENT



Tumaliuan expressed his gratitude to the people in the Caraga region who have continuously participated in the reforestation program of the government.

(PNA)

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Repainted but unfortunately commercialized :mad:

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Riverside Views ~ Cleared Up
those overpass brigdes is'nt that urios colleges

those overpass brigdes isn't that urios colleges...butuan city changes alot,,i was studying urios 90 to 94 that placed wasn't commercialized then...wasn't much at all..simple..the only huged department back then was mancao,otis and one just right at montilla boul.name forget at all.. where all the theater besides.just to say thanks for bringing such wonderful pics to my beloved butuan..wont trade the place at all,planning to grow old there.kindly upload some pic esp.the city ,langihan.ochoa empty back then..now industrialized wow..amazing..one of my favourates after school the street vendor on montilla boulv.at night.upload some pics on that ,,thank you buddy you make me just right closed to home...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/DSC00053.jpg
Repainted but unfortunately commercialized :mad:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/bluesmagick/Picture410.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/bluesmagick/Picture414-1.jpg
Riverside Views ~ Cleared Up
sorry dude about your pics i'ved uploaded by mistakes..its my bad...

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where is this place planning to pass through and see the scenery,relax and girls,,,

those overpass brigdes isn't that urios colleges...butuan city changes alot,,i was studying urios 90 to 94 that placed wasn't commercialized then...wasn't much at all..simple..the only huged department back then was mancao,otis and one just right at montilla boul.name forget at all.. where all the theater besides.just to say thanks for bringing such wonderful pics to my beloved butuan..wont trade the place at all,planning to grow old there.kindly upload some pic esp.the city ,langihan.ochoa empty back then..now industrialized wow..amazing..one of my favourates after school the street vendor on montilla boulv.at night.upload some pics on that ,,thank you buddy you make me just right closed to home...

that is the overpass right across South Montilla Blvd. across Timber City Academy. There is also a pedestrian overpass at the north side across Crown and Butuan City Colleges. The others are along JC Aquino across Father Urios University and in Kilometer 3 Libertad. There is also a plan of putting another pedestrian overpass across DBP and Gaisano Mall in JC Aquino.

Sorry to say that those night street food / barbecue vendors ('Suez Canal' as was coined before to the place) no longer exist as their operations are regulated. Though some can still be found along the North Montilla Blvd. Ext in New Asia going to Bading.

that is the overpass right across South Montilla Blvd. across Timber City Academy. There is also a pedestrian overpass at the north side across Crown and Butuan City Colleges. The others are along JC Aquino across Father Urios University and in Kilometer 3 Libertad. There is also a plan of putting another pedestrian overpass across DBP and Gaisano Mall in JC Aquino.

Sorry to say that those night street food / barbecue vendors ('Suez Canal' as was coined before to the place) no longer exist as their operations are regulated. Though some can still be found along the North Montilla Blvd. Ext in New Asia going to Bading.
thanks bud,,would you upload some pics.

Doongan, Butuan City Skyline as viewed from Mt. Mayapay
http://images.mountmayapay.multiply.com/image/6/photos/9/orig/405/Slide203.JPG?et=kRPjTNZ7UPDSZVmtQD8lNg

Capitol Site and Villa Kanangga and part of Libertad
http://images.mountmayapay.multiply.com/image/6/photos/9/orig/407/Slide204.JPG?et=SYVDQFS0xF1mYG1aiw7Cjg

Bob

Is that photo taken from Bonbon or from Mayapay using a telescopic lens?

Seems too near if it was taken in Mayapay. :)

I hope we could have a bigger picture showing the entire city and not just a section of it lang.

Nice work

Can someone post construction updates of the new Magsaysay Bridge?

sinj;

I havent gotten a new camera yet...it was busted during my trip to Davao...hopefully one of these days... or months I can buy a new cam...I can take photos of the new bridge...

as far as I know....the cables are put into place and the spans are almost complete. The by pass highway are being paved na at the eastern portion while construction is still ongoing at the Bonbon to Libertad section.

I know the government is making sure this project will be done in due time as you know it can be used as a very good 'campaign material' for the next year's elections :runaway:

on the other side, land costs may even skyrocket along the new highway and near this new bridge as new lands shall be opened for commercial and residential or probably industrial developments.

Wow, I didnt realize that Butuan is such a beautiful island! Thanks for the pics guys. :)

Butuan is part of the main island of Mindanao. it is located at the northeastern portion of Mindanao.

Bob

Is that photo taken from Bonbon or from Mayapay using a telescopic lens?

Seems too near if it was taken in Mayapay. :)

I hope we could have a bigger picture showing the entire city and not just a section of it lang.

Nice work

the pictures are not mine but uprooted from the Mt. Mayapay Blogsite.

I would love taking the picture of the entire city one day soon :)

Doongan, Butuan City Skyline as viewed from Mt. Mayapay
http://images.mountmayapay.multiply.com/image/6/photos/9/orig/405/Slide203.JPG?et=kRPjTNZ7UPDSZVmtQD8lNg

from the looks of it...Butuan has plenty of room both vertically and horizontally for expansion :)

^ Yep, I agree. But ofcourse, they'd have to shed some spaces for greenery too

Dear SSC Forumers, please take note on our guideline on posting news articles: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9944541&postcount=8
Do not mind what you have posted before for it will be very tedious if you will edit all of those. It'd be appreciated if you follow the guideline immediately upon your next posting of news articles. Thank You :)

sinj

thanks for the reminders, I think that should be the best way as far as we should post news messages....parang trailer...then post the URL link of the news for full details....in that way we can all benefit from this as it will significantly reduce the forums data space consumption and in the long term reduce site glitches or breakdowns....

Sinj, I am wondering hows are you now...I am sure it must have been difficult police-ing the Philippine thread considering the diversity in background, ethno-regional origins, cultural as well as personal biases ever present in this multitude of forumers in SSC :)

Go Go Go Sinjin! :cheers:

P622 Million JBIC-Funded Projects Revisited
Written by DAR Caraga
Mr. Hiroshi Togo, a Chief Representative of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) together with DAR Undersecretary Gerundio “khaliq” C. Madueño and some DAR central office personalities revisited the P622M JBIC-funded projects in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City last April 11-12, 2006 to personally monitor the progress of the project implementation. They were welcomed by DAR CARAGA Regional Director, ENGR. Felix B. Aguhob together with DAR Agusan del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer, Andre B. Atega.

The first particular area visited by the group was the 73% completed Mat-i- Ambacon – Pinana-an ARC Communal Irrigation project costing P125M and the Pinanaan Bridge costing P9.3M both of the municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte under ARISP II.

In Las Nieves, the group was greeted with a warm welcome by Municipality Mayor Reinario P. Rosales and some agrarian reform beneficiaries with their families who cheerfully waved the Philippine and Japanese Flags. “I am Thankful to be with you today and saw our present situation. I’m so glad hat you have now Pinana-an Bridge in addition to the Communal irrigation project. We need to help each other for the realization of our projects", Mr. Hiroshi Togo said.

During a consultation meeting with the farmers, USEC Maduño said “…considering that about 800 hectares is covered in this irrigation project, it would mean so much to increase the production of rice in the countryside".

Other projects visited by the group were the following:


1.) The irrigation regulating fund facilities of the Lower Agusan Development Project (LADP) in Bit-os, Butuan City, where they welcomed by the Provincial Irrigation Manager Joel A. Yape and NIA Regional Director, Democrito P. Grana;

2.) The Provincial ARC Information and Marketing Center (AIM-C) building along J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City in front of GAISANO Mall which serves as a marketing extension and financial intermediation service center for agrarian reform cooperatives which is manage by the Federation of the ARC cooperatives in Agusan del Norte. Designed by ARISP II Consultant Yojiro Segikuchi with a total cost of P2.1M, this information and marketing center which will serve 8,700 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

3.) The 70% complete Magsaysay Viaduct and the 2nd Magsaysay Bridge construction known as “Tulay ng Pangulong GMA”; and

4.) The Butuan City Flood Control facilities under the Lower Agusan Development Project (LADP), Stage I, Phase II with an estimated cost of Php 468.7M, aimed o relieve Butuan City from the recurring flood inundation of the east and west banks of Agusan River.

The group also turned-over to the barangay officials of Basag, Butuan City, the P17M worth 24.8 LM Basag-Taligaman farm-to-market road improvements RCDG Bridge which will serve 310 farmers in the area.

During his acceptance speech, Brgy. Captain Elpidio Mantilla expressed thanks and gratitude to the government for giving them the said farm-to-market road. He added, that “the presence of JIBC chief representative, Mr. Hiroshi Togo, and our beloved USEC Madueño made the ceremony very special o us”.

In behalf of the JBIC, Mr. Hiroshi Togo expressed his willingness to extend financial support to the farmers and further encouraging them by saying that the success of an organization would depend on how steadfast is the people’s cooperation to the cause.

Hello Sri Lanka!!!

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Photo showing the arterial road system of the city, red lines are primary national roads, while the green lines are secondary national roads. New highways now being built is the 13 kilometer By-pass highway which shall soon be a part of the Butuan Circumferential Road System.

Butuan City has a land area of 816.62 km², which is roughly 4.1% of the total area of the Caraga region (Northeastern Mindanao). With total population of 267,279 as of year 2000, it has an average population density of 327 persons per km², higher than the regional average density of 101 persons per km².

It is one of the largest cities in the country in land area and classified as medium sized city in terms of population. Current estimated population has grown to approximately 300,000+ .

It has 86 barangays.Of these, 27 are classified as urban and the remaining 59 are classified as rural

This young and dynamic Regional Capital of Northeastern Mindanao Region as was declared pursuant to the Republic Act signed in February 25,1995 was reclassified into a highly urbanized city on February 7, 1985 pursuant to the provision of section 166 and 168 of Local Government code of 1997 and Memorandum circular 83-49 of the ministry of local Government. The re-classification was based on its income and population size as certified by then Ministry of Finance and National Census and Statistics Office.

Current income classification of the city is placed as First Class City, Highly Urbanized Category

Nice Map. :)

May ibang mapa ba kayo guys? More detailed?

had a quick stop in Butuan and happened to take pics of the city's crossing main roads...

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is there a way we can express a manifesto here at SSC calling for the banning of indiscriminate placing of aerial utility wires and indiscriminate placing of oversized billboards and hazardous billboard stands?

....sinjin....is there a way ?

Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Mindanao masters stake win streak in Butuan

MINDANAO'S holdovers surprisingly managed to stave off the challenge of fancied rivals from Luzon and Visayas in their turf. Can they make it again in another national chess competition in the Caraga region?

Quite an interesting question that will start to find an answer today at the start of the P200,000 rich Caraga Open at the Otis Mall in Butuan City.

National Master Ernesto Fernandez of Pagadian City -- easily the back-to-back champion in the 3rd Pichay Memorial Cup in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur and Iligan Open -- leads a tough field in Butuan in the company of Ozamis Open ruler IM Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City and Surigao City Open conqueror NM Levi Mercado of Cagayan de Oro.

Judge Edgar Manilag, president of the organizing Butuan City Chess Club, expects more or less 100 pawnpushers from all over the country to see action in this three-day event, which has a guaranteed champion's purse of P50,000 plus trophy.

Meanwhile, the last qualifying leg of the 2006 National Shell Youth Active chess also gets underway today in Zamboanga City as well as the Mindanao-wide Milolympics chess meet at the MOGCHS's building here.

Carmen National High School and Corpus Christi are favored to rule the secondary rivalry while it's a three-way logjam among perennial champ West City Central School, Xavier University Grade School and Bonbon Elementary School for the elementary crown. (LLS)

P622 million completed and on-going JBIC-funded projects
Monday, October 02 2006 @ 04:12 PM BST

Business
02 - P622 million completed and on-going JBIC-funded projects visited in Northern Mindanao

Top officials of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), accompanied by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), visited various completed and on-going PhP 622 million JBIC-funded projects in Agusan del Norte and this region's capital city, this was learned on Monday.

Part of the multi-million big projects visited by the JBIC officials were some of the completed and on-going flood system of the Lower Agusan Development Project (LADP), being closely supervised by Major Flood Control-Cluster 11 Head and Cotabato-Agusan River Nasin Development Project (CARBDP) Director Philip F. Menez and its ground engineers Project Manager Engr. Rogelio O. Ang and project engineers led by Engr. Aurelio C. Mendoza.

Mr. Hiroshi Togo, a chief representative of JBIC, together with DAR Undersecretary Gerundio C. Madueno and DAR Caraga Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob visited the 80 percent completed Mat-I Ambacon-Pinana-an ARC communal irrigation project costing P125 million and the Penanaan Bridge costing P9.3 million both of the municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte under ARISP 11.

In Las Nieves town, the group was warmly welcomed by Mayor Reinario P. Rosales and agrarian reform beneficiaries with their families who cheerfully waved the Philippine and Japanese flags.

"I am thankful to be with you today and your present situation. "Im so glad that you have now Pinana-an Bridge in addition to the communal irrigation project. We need to help each other for the realization of our projects," Mr. Togo said.

During a consultation meeting with the farmers, USEC Madueno said, "that about 800 hectares is covered in this irrigation project, it would mean an increase in the production of rice in the countryside".

Other projects recently visited by the JBIC officials were the irrigation regulating fund facilities of the LADP in Bit-os, Butuan City; the provincial ARC information and marketing center (AIM-C) building along the cities' J. Rosales Avenue, which serves as a marketing extension and financial intermediation service center for agrarian reform cooperatives managed by the Federation of ARC Cooperatives in Agusan, designed by ARISP 11 Consultant Yojiro Segikuchi with a total cost of P2.1 million.

Accordingly, this information and marketing center will serve 8,700 agrarian reform beneficiaries; the almost 80% completed Magsaysay Viaductand the 2nd Magsaysay bridge construction known as "Tulay ng Pangulong GMA"; and the Butuan City Flood Control facilities under the LADP, Stage 1, Phase 11 with an estimated cost of P468.7 million, aimed to relieve Butuan City from the recurring flood inundation of the east and west banks of Agusan river.

The group also turned over to the local officials of Basag, Butuan City the P17 million worth 24.8 LM Basag-Taligaman farm-to-market road improvements RCDG bridge which will serve 310 farmers in the area.

City Mayor Democrito Plaza 11, chairperson of the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) expressed gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for fulfilling her promise to give more infrastructure projects, as one of the major aspect to make this region move forward towards more development and progress.

"The presence of JBIC and full assistance of the Arroyo administration is a big factor in our development in this region's capital city," Mayor Plaza said.

On the other hand, Butuan City solon Rep. Leovigildo B. Banaag, chairperson in the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources also commended that JBIC and CARBDP in fast-tracking the flood system projects in the region, particularly Butuan that solved the perennial flooding problem in the city and nearby areas.

"Pres. Arroyo is committed to help Caraga region to be more developed and progressive in the coming years," Rep. Banaag also said.

In his response, the JBIC chief representative, Mr. Togo expressed his willingness to extend further financial support to the people in Agusan and Surigao, especially farmers and further encouraging them to work hard.

"The success of an organization would depend on how steadfast is the people's cooperation to the cause," Mr. Togo added. (PNA)

Urian Hip
[CENTER]By Joan Libarios

http://www.urios.edu.ph/Fr_%20Saturnino%20Urios%20University_files/facade.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/facade/pic3.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/facade/pic1.gif
September 6, 2006 - FSUU grounds were electrified as Urian models ramped their way in the runway showcasing the university's new apparel and accessory products.

People from the different sectors of the Urian community gathered at
the University Minipark to witness the launching of the said products-
from the new sets of uniforms, shirt collections, athletic collections, to bags and accessories.

One objective of the event is to inform students of the new university
uniform. Gracing from the grade school to the college department are Urian models meticulously chosen to carry the attire with poise and composure. The new faces of the PE uniforms were also viewed.

Another objective is to advertise the overwhelming souvenir items that the school is offering. It runs with the shirt collection, bags,
umbrellas, towels, keychains, etc. The crowd were nevertheless left with the excitement and the crave to own such items.

These items that carry the name of FSUU are available at the
university bookstore.

http://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/t-shirt%20black.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/COLLEGE_SHIRT.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/shirt-athletics-black.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/swearshirt-blue.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/baseball%20cap.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/baseball%20cap%2001.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/hs_college.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/elem.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/jogging%20pants%20PE%20-%20all%20depts.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/umbrella%20white@blue.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/mug.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/keyholders.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/gradeschoolnotebook.gif

Urian Hip
[CENTER]By Joan Libarios

http://www.urios.edu.ph/Fr_%20Saturnino%20Urios%20University_files/facade.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/facade/pic3.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/facade/pic1.gif
September 6, 2006 - FSUU grounds were electrified as Urian models ramped their way in the runway showcasing the university's new apparel and accessory products.

People from the different sectors of the Urian community gathered at
the University Minipark to witness the launching of the said products-
from the new sets of uniforms, shirt collections, athletic collections, to bags and accessories.

One objective of the event is to inform students of the new university
uniform. Gracing from the grade school to the college department are Urian models meticulously chosen to carry the attire with poise and composure. The new faces of the PE uniforms were also viewed.

Another objective is to advertise the overwhelming souvenir items that the school is offering. It runs with the shirt collection, bags,
umbrellas, towels, keychains, etc. The crowd were nevertheless left with the excitement and the crave to own such items.

These items that carry the name of FSUU are available at the
university bookstore.

http://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/t-shirt%20black.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/COLLEGE_SHIRT.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/shirt-athletics-black.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/swearshirt-blue.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/baseball%20cap.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/baseball%20cap%2001.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/hs_college.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/elem.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/jogging%20pants%20PE%20-%20all%20depts.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/umbrella%20white@blue.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/mug.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/keyholders.gifhttp://www.urios.edu.ph/side_items/souvenir/gradeschoolnotebook.gif

Do you have pictures on the new uniforms? hehe... excited ko makita yun... matagal na rin yung uniform na yun eh.. since we moved to butuan last 1996, yun na ang uniform... until i gradauted high school.. and until now.. hehe

Reactivated SPDA proposes P988-M budget
Written by Walter I. Balane / MindaNews
Wednesday, 04 October 2006 12 28 39
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/03 October) -- The government reactivated over the weekend the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA), the body that is supposed to focus on the “socio-economic catch-up plans” for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

SPDA administrator and chief executive officer Zamzamin Ampatuan said President Arroyo through Executive Order 560 signed on Aug. 27 ordered the reactivation. This was announced on September 2 by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, President Arroyo’s representative at the 10th anniversary rites of the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here.
In 2002, Arroyo deactivated SPDA by virtue of Executive Order No. 149 on Nov. 18, amid reported squabbles within the MNLF that reportedly led to its mismanagement.

Ermita said on September 2 that the SPDA will focus on the "socio-economic catch-up plan" for the areas of autonomy. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, told MindaNews after the anniversary rites that the reactivated SPDA is "for the catch up plan for the MNLF."

Ampatuan, the administrator and chief executive officer, is not a member of the MNLF. He serves on a concurrent capacity, as chair of the National Anti-Poverty Commisison (NAPC). Before then, he was chief of the Office on Muslim Affairs. He also served the SPDA for a few months before it was deactivated.

Interviewed by reporters Monday, Ampatuan said they are looking at a proposed budget of P988 million to revive stalled projects and to push through with projects already in the pipeline when it was deactivated.

Ampatuan said they are eyeing around P600 million for the projects in the pipeline like the rice production project in Kabulnan, Maguindanao; oil palm plantation in Butuan City, coconut production in Matanao, Davao del Sur; and the sea weeds processing plant in Sulu.

Ampatuan also proposed that P500 million be allotted for the stalled projects such as feed mill operations in Davao City; organic fertilizer processing in Davao City and Sultan Kudarat; prawn hatchery in Naawan, Misamis Oriental and farms in various areas in Mindanao.

Davao City, Butuan City, Davao del Sur and Misamis Oriental are not part of the ARMM. ARMM comprises the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur and the Islamic City of Marawi.

He said the projects will be reactivated immediately, but this year is the preparatory year. He said they have already contracted business development consultants to do feasibility studies for the SPDA within the year.

Ampatuan described the SPDA as a government corporate entity with a social mission. He said the SPDA will be a parallel effort to peace in Mindanao. He said the SPDA's thrust is to initiate projects in industries and areas where risks are too high for any business to come in.

But Ampatuan said they might start with smaller projects that are also symbolic. He said they will pursue profit-making projects as secondary to its social mission.

Ampatuan said due to pressure from the MNLF, they might allot at least 20 percent of their budget for projects where business risk is too high and rate of return could be nil.

"But we cannot put all our resources in very loose ventures. It is very difficult to monitor those projects," he said.

He said they are in the process of setting priorities among the proposed projects.

Ampatuan said the reactivated SPDA is leaner because it intends to focus resources on business ventures. He said they will employ a "core staff" with only 44 employees in the reactivation including the 17-member caretaker team.

In the past, Ampatuan said the bulk of personnel expenses were in the SPDA structure itself with a total of 1,014 personnel including 800 job order personnel.

He said they will not reactivate the regional offices because the Davao main office will run projects directly.

"We are expecting rough roads ahead of us, starting with the budget," he said. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)

Butuan to launch Historical Park
by Robert E. Roperos

Butuan City (October 5) -- The city government here is set to launch one of the biggest and most ambitious projects aimed to attract local and foreign tourists to the city being the regional center of Caraga Region having interesting history and culture.

In a strategic planning workshop led by the city planning office, City Administrator Webb Racaza, who represented Mayor Democrito Plaza II said the construction of the project is an opportunity for Butuanon businessmen especially residents of the seven barangays involved in this project in showcasing their livelihood programs. "This is also a good opportunity in uplifting the economic status of the city", Racaza added.

Racaza also said the park is a venue for culture and arts as it features the history and heritage of the Butuanons shown in musical presentations and performances by national and local-grown talents.

With this, the Butuan Historical Park (BHP) Technical Working Group composed of public and private sectors of this city crafted its vision, mission, goals and objectives to ensure the realization of the project by year 2015.

Racaza further said that the historical park will be launched on October 16, 2006 along the one-kilometer riverbank passing below the historic Magsaysay Bridge, involving seven barangays. (PIA-13) [top]

-EDIT-

Wednesday, October 04, 2006
More tourism development in Caraga: DOT-13By Rubelyn Yap

GENERAL Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte is being eyed as the new emerging tourism destination in the country today. The regional tourism office in Caraga will concentrate on developing the entire region since there are many potential tourists areas for development aside from the famous Siargao Island, Butuan City and Agusan marsh.

Tourism Regional Director Leticia Tan said its high time for people to recognize the potential of Caraga as a tourist's destination and since its is still young in the tourism industry, they are concentrating on the infrastructure of the region for people to find convenience while visiting the region.

Among her list is the Lake Mainit Eco-Tourism Center, which will be a P10 million worth of a world class resort that will open in the first quarter of next year. The 8,000 square meter resort is right at the center of Lake Mainit in San Roque, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

Tan said the investor plans to develop a Marina in the area where at least water sports facilities will be established with a swimming pool. It will serve as the stopover of visitors from Surigao city and Butuan city. It will also have accommodation facilities, recreational facilities and a display center for the crafts of the Mamanwas.

With the opening of the resort next year, Tan is hoping that it will serve as the prime mover of the tourism development in the entire Caraga region and many would invest in the area.

Another development will rise in Surigao del Sur once the rehabilitation of the P3.8 million Malinawa Cold Spring will be done, the P6 million Surf Camp in Lanuza will be constructed and the building of a P9 million Mangrove resort in Carmen town of the same province.

Tan is hopeful that in the next five years, tourism development in the region will be one of the fastest in the country and with the development, the economic activities in the entire region will grow and will give jobs to people.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/100_1786.jpg

if I have some insulating powers like Rubberman, I would practically cut and removed all these damn wires!

boybleaux, do you have any idea if there's an existing ordinance regarding the installation of wires?

this one really needs regulation

BUSINESSWATCH
How this green banker made the leap from fish to finance


By Tonette Salazar
Inquirer
Last updated 07:32am (Mla time) 10/08/2006

Published on page Q4 of the October 8, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

WHAT prepares a person for his future destiny? Meeting Joseph Omar Andaya, one wonders, what life events can turn a carefree boy into an innovative young banker with a drive to serve?

There is nothing stiff, formal or stereotyped about Omar, president and chairman of the board of the Green Bank of Caraga, Inc., which has its main offices in Butuan City.

With a banker for a father, Omar’s fate seems to have been decided for him even as he was growing up. Like father, like son. But it didn’t quite start out that way.

Ismael E. Andaya, Omar’s father, was born in Butuan City, the only boy of three siblings. “After finishing BS Commerce studies at Far Eastern University, my father started his adult life developing fishponds for inland aquaculture and farming while employed with Philippine Airlines,” Omar narrates. Then Ismael married Miriam Ong Oh, a medical school graduate, and nine months and one day after the wedding, Joseph Omar was born. He was followed by six other children in a span of 11 years, and Omar grew up as the mischievous manong, always playing practical jokes on his siblings.

Fast-growing family

With the pressing needs of a fast-growing family, Nonoy, as Ismael is fondly called, resigned from PAL and focused all his energy on aquaculture and farming. But the demand of raising a family and providing proper education for the children continued to weigh heavily on the Andaya patriarch’s shoulders. The income was not enough.

Of all the siblings, only Omar knew of the dire financial needs of the family, and he helped in budgeting the Manila house expenses, even as he shielded the rest of the siblings from worrying. “It was a case of ’monkey see, monkey do,’” younger sister Agnes recalls. “Omar witnessed the selflessness and dedication of our parents, and he molded himself after them.”

Read the rest of the article at:
http://showbizandstyle.inq7.net/sim/sim/view_article.php?article_id=25424

Gov’t sets aside P6 B for mega region dev’t

Money will fund infrastructure projects – Dureza

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

BUTUAN CITY – The government is pouring in P5.654 billion to rehabilitate and improve all air and seaports and roads to develop Mindanao under President Arroyo’s Mindanao Mega Region plan, Mindanao Development Secretary Jesus Dureza said yesterday.

Dureza said that the President is making the money available to open all access to the region to make Mindanao "take off."

Dureza also said that in line with her plan, President Arroyo has already directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) to speed up works on various infrastructure projects, particularly roads, bridges and ports in the southern island.

"It’s all systems go for the Mindanao Mega Region," said Secretary Dureza, also the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Dureza, during their convention last week in Davao City, also assured the country’s housing developers of a stable Mindanao.

The secretary also said that Mindanao is being packaged by the government as an agri-industrial hub with choice residential areas for investors.

Some of the air terminals to be implemented under the Mindanao Mega Region plan are the
1. Cagayan de Oro Port worth P181 million
2. Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, P 0.386 million
3. Dipolog Airport, P731 million
4. Ozamis City Airport, P86 million
5. Zamboanga City Airport, P257 million
6. Pagadian City Airport, P517 million
7. Cotabato City Airport, P2.565 billion
8. Butuan City Airport, P1.312 BILLION

eyy evrybody!!!! cant believe ang laki na nang improvment ng bxu since i left 3 years ago. used 2 work here and i considered it my home na, 2nd to iligan city.

i swear mbalik ra jud ko dha and paint d town red...hehehe!!

regards 2 all d staff, announcers and jocks of RMN BXU and iFM!!!

mizzz u:
cheer:

Wow, any renderings for the new airport?

eyy evrybody!!!! cant believe ang laki na nang improvment ng bxu since i left 3 years ago. used 2 work here and i considered it my home na, 2nd to iligan city.

i swear mbalik ra jud ko dha and paint d town red...hehehe!!

regards 2 all d staff, announcers and jocks of RMN BXU and iFM!!!

mizzz u:
cheer:

You are always welcome to paint the city red again :) djLex :)

Wow, any renderings for the new airport?

I am still looking for that rendering.....considering the amount of 1.3 Billion, it could be surmised that the airport will be of international standards

More tourism development in Caraga: DOT-13
By Rubelyn Yap

GENERAL Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte is being eyed as the new emerging tourism destination in the country today. The regional tourism office in Caraga will concentrate on developing the entire region since there are many potential tourists areas for development aside from the famous Siargao Island, Butuan City and Agusan marsh.

Tourism Regional Director Leticia Tan said its high time for people to recognize the potential of Caraga as a tourist's destination and since its is still young in the tourism industry, they are concentrating on the infrastructure of the region for people to find convenience while visiting the region.

Among her list is the Lake Mainit Eco-Tourism Center, which will be a P10 million worth of a world class resort that will open in the first quarter of next year. The 8,000 square meter resort is right at the center of Lake Mainit in San Roque, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

Tan said the investor plans to develop a Marina in the area where at least water sports facilities will be established with a swimming pool. It will serve as the stopover of visitors from Surigao city and Butuan city. It will also have accommodation facilities, recreational facilities and a display center for the crafts of the Mamanwas.

With the opening of the resort next year, Tan is hoping that it will serve as the prime mover of the tourism development in the entire Caraga region and many would invest in the area.

Another development will rise in Surigao del Sur once the rehabilitation of the P3.8 million Malinawa Cold Spring will be done, the P6 million Surf Camp in Lanuza will be constructed and the building of a P9 million Mangrove resort in Carmen town of the same province.

Tan is hopeful that in the next five years, tourism development in the region will be one of the fastest in the country and with the development, the economic activities in the entire region will grow and will give jobs to people.

Wow, any renderings for the new airport?

sinjin;

this is the only rendering I got from the net...guess its the old version
http://www.cowi.com/NR/rdonlyres/AE61C9F5-9054-4911-9467-B75B89267E42/0/thirdairportB3.jpg

PIA Press Release
2006/10/10

Butuan and Surigao to represent Caraga in national search for
child-friendly city
by Lovely Laudette D. Gamba

BUTUAN CITY (October 10) -- Butuan and Surigao city will be Caraga's
entry to the national Search for the Most Child Friendly City and
Municipality. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
reveal this, during the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children
(RCWC) meeting held, recently.

After bagging an average score of 91 percent during the regional
validation, Butuan City will be Caraga's entry to the national search
for the highly urbanized city category. Butuan's 91 percent is enough
for the city to qualify to the national competition.

On the other hand, Surigao City will be the region's entry for the
component city category. Surigao City who compete with Bislig at the
regional level garnered an overall score of 93.8 percent during the
regional validation. A score significantly higher than that of Bislig
who only got 73.5 percent, making Surigao the uncontested
representative of Caraga to the search for the component city category.

In related news, the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) bared how the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)
implementation in the region. Based on the report presented, ECCD is
now established in 4 provinces, 1 highly urbanized city, 30
municipalities and 1 component city in the region.

The ECCD program has also undertaken social preparation including
organization/ reactivation of Local Council for the Protection of
Children (LCPC) committees in 3 municipalities in Surigao del Sur and
4 municipalities in Surigao del Norte. It has also conducted
capability building of service providers of Butuan City and Surigao
del Sur. (PIA-13)

Rural students upstage city kids

By Jonathan M. Hicap, Reporter

Public-school students in the provinces scored better than their counterparts in Metro Manila in Math, English and Science in the last National Achievement Tests.

The Department of Education’s Top 10 divisions in the elementary- and high-school levels in the tests were all in the provinces.

The Southern Leyte division topped the tests in both the elementary- and high-school levels. Its elementary pupils had a total average score of 80.81 percent in the key subjects: Math, Science, English, Filipino and Hekasi (Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika).

Southern Leyte’s high-school students had a total average score of 65.58 percent in all the subjects.

Other divisions in the elementary level’s top 10 are Ormoc City, Laoag City, Butuan City, Batangas, Tacloban City, Siargao, Surigao City, Surigao del Sur and Northern Samar.

In the high-school level, Southern Leyte is followed by Eastern Samar, Maasin City, Surigao del Norte, Western Samar, Toledo City, Northern Samar, Siargao, Agusan del Norte and Calbayog City.

By type of community, rural areas outpaced their urban counterparts. Rural students averaged 45.49 percent compared with the 43.69 percent of urban students.

The tests are administered by the Department of Education to all grade schoolers and high-school students. The high-school tests consisted of 300 items and the elementary, 200 items.

The results of the tests for school year 2005-06, administered in March, showed sixth graders and fourth-year students fared poorly in Math, Science, English, Filipino and Social Studies, the five subjects included in the tests.

The tests are administered yearly by the education department to determine the performance levels of grade-school pupils and high-school students. Over 1.5 million sixth graders and close to one million fourth-year students took the tests.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Friday that the school principals will undergo training and development to improve English proficiency.

Speaking at the Annual Regional Convention of the Private Secondary School Administrators’ Association of the Philippines Central Luzon, held at the Tagaytay International Convention Center, Lapus emphasized the role of school administrators in the department’s efforts to produce globally competitive students, as well as in improving the state of basic education in the country.

“Principals are the main ingredient for meaningful change,” Lapus said.

He laid down plans to improve the training and development of school administrators in addition to the current programs being carried out by the department. These include efforts to improve English proficiency, and pre-service and in-service training for teachers and administrators, and increasing the salaries of teachers by as much as 100 percent.

source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/oct/14/yehey/top_stories/20061014top2.html Back to top

sigi ba gihapon ug lunop diha sa Butuan bai?

not as frequent and as worse as 15 years ago after that multi billion peso CARBDP LABDP was put into place.

there are some low lying areas in the east bank that are prone, but once that east side construction works are done, plus the leevee and that viaducts.....it will significantly reduce the threat of flooding in the low lying riverside barangays

Tubay Mountain Beach Resort and Butuan Bay and Camiguin Island in foredrop
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/DSCF0069.jpg

Butuan is surrounded by jewels such as this one at General Luna in Siargao
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/bucasgrande.jpg
This is Caraga!

Gov’t sets aside P6 B for mega region dev’t

Money will fund infrastructure projects – Dureza

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

BUTUAN CITY – The government is pouring in P5.654 billion to rehabilitate and improve all air and seaports and roads to develop Mindanao under President Arroyo’s Mindanao Mega Region plan, Mindanao Development Secretary Jesus Dureza said yesterday.

Dureza said that the President is making the money available to open all access to the region to make Mindanao "take off."

Dureza also said that in line with her plan, President Arroyo has already directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) to speed up works on various infrastructure projects, particularly roads, bridges and ports in the southern island.

"It’s all systems go for the Mindanao Mega Region," said Secretary Dureza, also the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Dureza, during their convention last week in Davao City, also assured the country’s housing developers of a stable Mindanao.

The secretary also said that Mindanao is being packaged by the government as an agri-industrial hub with choice residential areas for investors.

Some of the air terminals to be implemented under the Mindanao Mega Region plan are the
1. Cagayan de Oro Port worth P181 million
2. Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, P 0.386 million
3. Dipolog Airport, P731 million
4. Ozamis City Airport, P86 million
5. Zamboanga City Airport, P257 million
6. Pagadian City Airport, P517 million
7. Cotabato City Airport, P2.565 billion
8. Butuan City Airport, P1.312 BILLION

why why why the planned Mindanao Railways (Iligan-Butuan phase) is not included again in this mega list?:banned: huh ?! huh ?!

Oktoberfest 2006
http://rebelpixel.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/smb.061004-2055-8774.jpg

SMB Oktoberfest 2006 will have its venues at the following party places; for Metro Manila leg - Metrowalk in Pasig City
Visayas - Mandaue Plaza
Mindanao - Otis Mall, Butuan City

This year's Philippine Chamber of Commerce's

MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITIES

Only 3 cities from Mindanao

1. Koronadal
2. Surigao
3. Butuan

http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1113&Itemid=50

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/100_1786.jpg

ganda ng pedestrian lanes nyo..bricks! lahat ba ganito?

sinjin;

this is the only rendering I got from the net...guess its the old version
http://www.cowi.com/NR/rdonlyres/AE61C9F5-9054-4911-9467-B75B89267E42/0/thirdairportB3.jpg

wow! very mindanao ang aiport..when magsisimula ang construction?

This year's Philippine Chamber of Commerce's

MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITIES

Only 3 cities from Mindanao

1. Koronadal
2. Surigao
3. Butuan

http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1113&Itemid=50

thats good news indeed Coke! Madjiao na balita iyan :)

Cheers to CARAGA !

;10159809']http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/100_1786.jpg

ganda ng pedestrian lanes nyo..bricks! lahat ba ganito?

for now, its only North Montilla Blvd. ang pinapaganda pa....but soon enough the entire main thoroughfares na rin under the grand design of Palafox and Assoc.

;10159845']wow! very mindanao ang aiport..when magsisimula ang construction?

the area was already cleared of inhabitants 3 years ago pa under ADBs TADP plan....hope works will start real soon as soon as that 1.5 Billion budget is released..

with regards to the design, I dont know if this is the final one as that rendering is taken from the design approved by the Asian Development Bank pa 3 years ago....

Oktoberfest 2006
http://rebelpixel.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/smb.061004-2055-8774.jpg

SMB Oktoberfest 2006 will have its venues at the following party places; for Metro Manila leg - Metrowalk in Pasig City
Visayas - Mandaue Plaza
Mindanao - Otis Mall, Butuan City

hmmmm....on that party night then shall party animals say BUTUAN ~ Boom... Bloom...and Booze..!!:cheers:

for now, its only North Montilla Blvd. ang pinapaganda pa....but soon enough the entire main thoroughfares na rin under the grand design of Palafox and Assoc.

actually mas ok to, mas practical, saves you the cost of constant repainting..

will someone please post a pic of downtown butuan?

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL891/4975567/10221081/153199438.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL891/4975567/10221081/153123223.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL891/4975567/10221081/152392040.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL891/4975567/10221081/153124921.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL891/4975567/10221081/153821779.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL891/4975567/10221081/151690039.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/000_0080.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1243/4295337/9035609/125089842.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/DSC00046.jpg

banco de oro building looks nice..

that gaisano in butuan, is that a mall or a department store? any interior pics?

uniform ang color ng taxi (yellow) and tricycle (red) sa butuan?

pa post lang ng davao ad..baka pala may kilala kayong pupunta ng davao..

here's my bar..(not mine..hehe ako lang architect)

the party place to be..


the Aquarium@Avenida Santos..

Located @ Avenida Santos, NOva Tierra Village, Lanang , Davao City

(200m from the Nova Tierra Gate)



Let's PARTY!!!

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/AQuALOGO2copy.jpg


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar1.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar2.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar5.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar7.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar4.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar3.jpg

nice bar design, its an aquarium alright, but where's the water? :)

hmmm ledge dancing has come in the durian city ey?

sana Butuan could also have those ledge dancing stuff here.

maybe you can design some of the proposed commercial buildings here in Butuan. The city needs fresh blood in the roster of its architects.

matagal na may ledge dancing dito sa davao..:)

where is the aquarium? hmmm go figure..haha

this bar is sort of a COYOTE UGLY bar..remember the movie?

pls do visit the bar if youre in davao

I would love to go, especially if its someone else's treat

haha..PM me if youre in davao

Setting Sites on to 2007 ~ The Butuan/AIM Competitive PlanA one day and a half workshop/seminar was conducted by the Asian Institute of Management (Policy Center) in coordination with the host, the City Government last August 30 & 31 respectively at the People’s Hall, City Hall Building. The seminar which was well was attended by local officials, various sectors of society from ngo’s, private institutions, education, peace/order, and media after which a workshop on “Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2005” was discussed to identify areas of competitiveness that need enhancement or tapped. It is expected that at the end of the seminar, all the participants will be able to discuss key strengths and weaknesses of the city, determine specific areas for improvement, identify issues/concerns on the identified areas and then propose specific actions to address identified issues.
http://www.butuan.gov.ph/aim_clip_image002.jpg

Cities nationwide were categorized into metro cities, mid sized cities and small cities according to population and ranked by an independent survey conducted by AIM (Policy Center) in collaboration with Asian Foundation supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It’s primary objective is to determine the economic competitiveness of different urban center of the Philippines and measure how effective these cities in providing a conducive environment for trade and industry and the city’s ability to promote a better standards of living. Also, the PCCR can provide feedback mechanism for business community to local government, provide an assessment tool to pinpoint and analyze best practices in economic management of local government and build the capacity of local government units by applying the competitiveness lessons from other local government units and most importantly, PCCR can help motivate local government units to change mentality from service provider to economic managers.

http://www.butuan.gov.ph/aim_clip_image002_0000.jpg
Honorable Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II encouraged the participants to be broad minded and open their mind to innovations and find ways of strengthening some aspects of governance.

According to Prof. Mario Antonio Lopez, from the Asian Institute of Management, cities’ competitiveness can not be the sole responsibility of the local chief executive alone, but rather, a city’s competitiveness can also be a barometer of the kind of officers and employees the local government office has. Prof. Lopez also mentioned some metro cities which are highly competitive, citing an example of the success attained by other cities by implementing some innovations within their area, they did not contend themselves by just being a mere gateway or attachment to a tourist destination.
http://www.butuan.gov.ph/aim_clip_image002_0001.jpg

In the afternoon of the seminar, a “Workshop on Areas for Improvement” was conducted wherein participants were grouped into Two (2) Teams. The composition per team consisted of participants from various sectors such as the city government, business sector (SME owners/ ), academe, and from the civil society organization while none from the local media sector. Each Team was assigned a Facilitator. Team One Facilitator is Ms. Leah Umali from the Asian Institute of Management , while Team Two Facilitator is Mr. Zhainal Kinoc from the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development, Davao. Each team were given a few minutes of deliberation by their respective Facilitator on possible issues and concerns needing improvement.
http://www.butuan.gov.ph/aim_clip_image002_0002.jpg
http://www.butuan.gov.ph/aim_clip_image002_0002.jpg

“Focus Question” was raised by the Facilitator to be individually answered, then divide the team into smaller member and discuss their individual ideas and select their Areas for improvement and write them in Idea Cards, then similar ideas are clustered and were given Titles. From the Issues and Complaints submitted to the Facilitator by various sectors in each team, it was further rationalized & came up with Three (3) Issues such as Infra, Human Resourse Development, and Policy Development while Proposed Actions and Time Frame were added to determine the realistic time such ideas are Acted or Accomplished. Each team prepared their presentation for the plenary presentation of their output and selected their presenter. Team One Presenter is Mr. Winston Guillen while that Two is Former Lady Mayor Leonides Theresa B. Plaza who will their ouptput for a maximum of 5-7 during the Plenary Reporting
http://www.butuan.gov.ph/aim_clip_image002_0003.jpg

Mr. Lopez challenged the leadership of the local government, employees , various sectors (private and ngos) and participants of the seminar to seek innovations, to involve the constituents in government programs and plans by having an on-line availability of development plans, radio programs, pamphlets, forums and meetings as practiced by Most Competitive Cities. Also, most competitive cities develop and enhance the bedrock of progress such as road and bridges, power, water and telecommunications while giving importance to an accurate and timely collection of statistics, monitoring and interpretation.
http://www.butuan.gov.ph/aim_clip_image002_0005.jpg

With the culmination of the seminar, participants’ involvement does not end here. Their active, continuous and direct involvement with the local government programs will be visible

A “symbiotic” relationship between the local government and various sectors of society is paramount to a city success.

Today and tomorrow
by Bernard Karganilla

Malaya October 21, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today, Pasay and Makati are embroiled in political contests with Malacañang and its partisans.

Pasay is an international gateway that wishes to become a "scenic premiere city thriving with businesses and economic opportunities, guided by dynamic and efficient local leadership, and home to self-reliant, healthy and morally upright people" between 2000 and 2010. [Executive Summary, Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Pasay City]

The "Happy City" of Makati is supposed to lead the Philippines into the 21st century, according to the local government’s official vision statement. How can these dreams come true when political partisanship and booty capitalism take precedence in national and local affairs?

Moreover, the deadweight of the past bears down on the present. The main problem of old cities is that the built-up areas are blighted, with net in-migration and overloaded infrastructure. While high-rise buildings herald the prosperous future, our version of skyscrapers stand on small lots that are accessed through narrow roads choked with poorly managed vehicular traffic.

Uncontrolled high-density real-estate developments plus unsynchronized infrastructure plus a geometrically progressing human population. Extrapolate and the future is?

Judge Dredd’s MegaCity One (2000 AD comic book series), where overpopulation has forced urbanites to live in mo-pads (mobile homes).

Global warming plus demoralized farmers plus indiscriminate importation equals?

New York of 2022 ("Soylent Green" 1973), a city and world that is running out of food and freshwater, prompting government-sponsored euthanasia and the manufacture of a special nutrient.

What a future.

How about Metro Manila? It is already a Top 20 megalopolis of the world. A world where three billion people already live and work in cities. That is nearly half of all the humans in this solar system.

In nine years, there will be 26 mega cities with populations in excess of ten million. No wonder then that the immediate past United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan had announced that Earth is into the "urban millennium." Today, more than half of the Philippines is urban. In 19 years, 70 percent of Filipinos are projected to be urbanites. It will be 80 percent by 2050.

That will amount to 127 million Filipinos living, struggling, loving and quarreling in more than 100 Philippine cities.

Metro Manila will be joined by Metro Laoag, Metro Santiago, Metro Angeles, Metro Lucena, and Metro Naga.

But the emerging metropolitan areas are certainly not confined to Luzon. In Mindanao, Metro Davao will be in the company of Metro Butuan, Metro General Santos, Metro Dipolog, and Metro Zamboanga. Metro Iloilo and Metro Cebu will stand with Metro Bacolod and Metro Dumaguete.

The data comes from the League of Cities of the Philippines that also identified Metro Vigan, Metro Angeles, Metro Cabanatuan, Metro San Jose and Metro Central Bulacan as the fastest growing metro areas.

In terms of population growth, the top five are Metro East Bulacan, Metro Rizal, Cavite Central, Laguna West Metro and Metro West Bulacan.

For income growth: Laguna West Metro, Metro Dumaguete, Malay-balay-Valencia Growth Area, Metro Davao and Metro Cabanatuan.

Investors ought to keep a sharp eye on Laguna West Metro, which consists of San Pedro, Bñan, Santa Rosa City, Cabuyao and Calamba, all found in Laguna Province plus Silang in Cavite.

There are development opportunities in Philippine cities. Muntinlupa, for instance, is this year’s "Most Business-Friendly City" in Metro Manila, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

These opportunities are accompanied by the fact that there is a large informal sector, some five million in Metro Manila alone. [The Challenge of Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements 2003]

Poverty per se is not the killer. Nor terrorists who might escalate with biowarfare or chemical weapons.

The real danger lies in the presence of nihilistic nomads who detest urbanity and lumpen parasites who wolf down scarce resources. It is these cancerous elements who have irreparably damaged cities in world history. [Joel Kotkin, "City of the future," Washington Post, July 22, 2005]

The Terran City of the 21st century is supposed to be a "giant plastic, metal and unbreakable glass city" and a city of "science, of atomic power, of space travel, and of high culture."

As imagined by the "Amazing Stories" 1939 issue on "City Of The Future."

Are we there yet?

http://www.malaya.com.ph/oct21/edkarga.htm

nice pics buddy,getting back the memory,i must tell you changes the whole placed was huge..wont recognized the placed no more,,anyway its been along time to log on cause just come back from europe,,keep posting buddy enjoy watching the image at all..boy bleauxx your my mean man keep it up ,,

;10162439']haha..PM me if youre in davao
nice limelights,but i wont enjoy it at all not much hype.. did you ever see a night club that you can have sex just right the dance floor and its legal,,good but shit in hell after all...
;10160784']pa post lang ng davao ad..baka pala may kilala kayong pupunta ng davao..

here's my bar..(not mine..hehe ako lang architect)

the party place to be..


the Aquarium@Avenida Santos..

Located @ Avenida Santos, NOva Tierra Village, Lanang , Davao City

(200m from the Nova Tierra Gate)



Let's PARTY!!!

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/AQuALOGO2copy.jpg


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar1.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar2.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar5.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar7.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar4.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/waway625/Bar3.jpg

[QUOTE=alvie1000;10188178]nice limelights,but i wont enjoy it at all not much hype.. did you ever see a night club that you can have sex just right the dance floor and its legal,,good but shit in hell after all...[/QUO

Today and tomorrow
by Bernard Karganilla

Malaya October 21, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today, Pasay and Makati are embroiled in political contests with Malacañang and its partisans.

Pasay is an international gateway that wishes to become a "scenic premiere city thriving with businesses and economic opportunities, guided by dynamic and efficient local leadership, and home to self-reliant, healthy and morally upright people" between 2000 and 2010. [Executive Summary, Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Pasay City]

The "Happy City" of Makati is supposed to lead the Philippines into the 21st century, according to the local government’s official vision statement. How can these dreams come true when political partisanship and booty capitalism take precedence in national and local affairs?

Moreover, the deadweight of the past bears down on the present. The main problem of old cities is that the built-up areas are blighted, with net in-migration and overloaded infrastructure. While high-rise buildings herald the prosperous future, our version of skyscrapers stand on small lots that are accessed through narrow roads choked with poorly managed vehicular traffic.

Uncontrolled high-density real-estate developments plus unsynchronized infrastructure plus a geometrically progressing human population. Extrapolate and the future is?

Judge Dredd’s MegaCity One (2000 AD comic book series), where overpopulation has forced urbanites to live in mo-pads (mobile homes).

Global warming plus demoralized farmers plus indiscriminate importation equals?

New York of 2022 ("Soylent Green" 1973), a city and world that is running out of food and freshwater, prompting government-sponsored euthanasia and the manufacture of a special nutrient.

What a future.

How about Metro Manila? It is already a Top 20 megalopolis of the world. A world where three billion people already live and work in cities. That is nearly half of all the humans in this solar system.

In nine years, there will be 26 mega cities with populations in excess of ten million. No wonder then that the immediate past United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan had announced that Earth is into the "urban millennium." Today, more than half of the Philippines is urban. In 19 years, 70 percent of Filipinos are projected to be urbanites. It will be 80 percent by 2050.

That will amount to 127 million Filipinos living, struggling, loving and quarreling in more than 100 Philippine cities.

Metro Manila will be joined by Metro Laoag, Metro Santiago, Metro Angeles, Metro Lucena, and Metro Naga.

But the emerging metropolitan areas are certainly not confined to Luzon. In Mindanao, Metro Davao will be in the company of Metro Butuan, Metro General Santos, Metro Dipolog, and Metro Zamboanga. Metro Iloilo and Metro Cebu will stand with Metro Bacolod and Metro Dumaguete.

The data comes from the League of Cities of the Philippines that also identified Metro Vigan, Metro Angeles, Metro Cabanatuan, Metro San Jose and Metro Central Bulacan as the fastest growing metro areas.

In terms of population growth, the top five are Metro East Bulacan, Metro Rizal, Cavite Central, Laguna West Metro and Metro West Bulacan.

For income growth: Laguna West Metro, Metro Dumaguete, Malay-balay-Valencia Growth Area, Metro Davao and Metro Cabanatuan.

Investors ought to keep a sharp eye on Laguna West Metro, which consists of San Pedro, Bñan, Santa Rosa City, Cabuyao and Calamba, all found in Laguna Province plus Silang in Cavite.

There are development opportunities in Philippine cities. Muntinlupa, for instance, is this year’s "Most Business-Friendly City" in Metro Manila, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

These opportunities are accompanied by the fact that there is a large informal sector, some five million in Metro Manila alone. [The Challenge of Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements 2003]

Poverty per se is not the killer. Nor terrorists who might escalate with biowarfare or chemical weapons.

The real danger lies in the presence of nihilistic nomads who detest urbanity and lumpen parasites who wolf down scarce resources. It is these cancerous elements who have irreparably damaged cities in world history. [Joel Kotkin, "City of the future," Washington Post, July 22, 2005]

The Terran City of the 21st century is supposed to be a "giant plastic, metal and unbreakable glass city" and a city of "science, of atomic power, of space travel, and of high culture."

As imagined by the "Amazing Stories" 1939 issue on "City Of The Future."

Are we there yet?

http://www.malaya.com.ph/oct21/edkarga.htm

lols "metro" na tang tanan, i hate the this scenario, puro malaking cities? magulo na siguro ang pilipinas nyan

nice limelights,but i wont enjoy it at all not much hype.. did you ever see a night club that you can have sex just right the dance floor and its legal,,good but shit in hell after all...

the thing is, the philippines (or at least davao) isnt quite there yet in terms of night life, thus the entertainment we have here will suffice :)

nice pics buddy,getting back the memory,i must tell you changes the whole placed was huge..wont recognized the placed no more,,anyway its been along time to log on cause just come back from europe,,keep posting buddy enjoy watching the image at all..boy bleauxx your my mean man keep it up ,,

the city is changing fast, there seems to be a feverish infrastructure constructions all over the place (probably due to election time is near hmmmm)...and these are not just the usual road concreting piecemeal type of infra....they are flagship multi billion projects.

soon enough, the airport costing 1.5 Billion pesos shall commence.
Hopefully too, that planned Port of Magellan project will also get some ODA-JICA nod.

all these infras once completed will add a significant boost fuel to this city to get ahead in time in the near future.

BUTUAn HISTORICAL PARK DEVELOPMENT STARTS


The City Government has started the site development of the Butuan Historical Park formerly tagged as the MDG Theme Park in the area of 3.3 hectares covering seven barangays along the Agusan River. What before was a place occupied by informal settlers has now been cleared to give way to the beautification project.

The Butuan Histroical Park is a one-stop shop park that will not only serve as showcase of all MDG-related services of the City but will also serve as showcase of an inter-barangay collaboration in managing and sustaining the environment for the sustainable development of our city.

The areas from Brgy. Agao to Brgy. Leon Kilat were filled up with sand and gravel to elevate it above flood level. Garden soil covered the areas which according to the lay-out will be planted with trees, ornamental and flowering plants. Eventually, we will be seeing the installation of the MDG Monument and the construction of coffee shops, souvenir shops, rentable stalls, an ampi-theater, pavilions, floating docks, bicycle lanes, and other recreation facilities in the area.

The funds for the Butuan Historical Park come from the United Nations Human Settlements Program. The park will showcase the MDG Monument depicting the eight goals of the MDG which are #1 Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, #2 Achieve Universal Primary Education, #3 Promote Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, #4 Reduce Child Mortality, #5 Improve Maternal Health, #6 Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other infectious diseases, #7 Ensure Environmental Sustainability, and #8 Develop the Global-local Partnership for Development.

The City Government, through the leadership of Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II, and with the assistance of the UN Habitat, will be formulating the MDG-responsive Executive-Legislative Agenda and Barangay Development Plans, seeing to it that a widely participatory and rights-based approach will be used.

Soon, a Butuan Historical Park will stand where once was an area filled with informal settlers. Aside from this, Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II is also planning other river development projects to promote tourism and the beauty of Agusan River to the locals and tourists alike.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/news_clip_image002.jpg

Looks great.

hopefully the project will prk up the blighted areas along the riverfront with newer businesses coming in along with this project

Ano ba pinaka-landmark ng Butuan? just asking.

I guess it would be the new City Government Center that's fast becoming a landmark for the city
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/edison_lee/ButuanCityHallModel_1.jpg

Ang ganda. Lahat ba ng different offices ng LGU naka-house dito?

The Rizal park and St. Joseph Cathedral is the traditional landmark, but there's more to come soon like that River Boardwalk and Park and that Second Magsaysay Cable Bridge
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/DSC00065.jpg

Ang ganda. Lahat ba ng different offices ng LGU naka-house dito?

I am not sure, but inside its very spacious. sana mas malaki ang building compared sa park para maka save ng space di ba?

How far is the New City Govt. Center from downtown area? Kasi importante rin yong accessibility ng different govt. offices.

Di pa kasi ako nakapunta ng Butuan kaya ang dami kung tanong.

I think its just very near lang, the pink circle is the government center in Doongan
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/34/67/34097643/36959248855941l.jpg

Ahh OK.

Base on the pic, napakalapad pala ng Butuan River.

the city is changing fast, there seems to be a feverish infrastructure constructions all over the place (probably due to election time is near hmmmm)...and these are not just the usual road concreting piecemeal type of infra....they are flagship multi billion projects.

soon enough, the airport costing 1.5 Billion pesos shall commence.
Hopefully too, that planned Port of Magellan project will also get some ODA-JICA nod.

all these infras once completed will add a significant boost fuel to this city to get ahead in time in the near future.how long gonna be the airport to be started constructed,,or just the platform bla bla right now...its hard the air flight from where to where right now ,,its an international airport..just domestic,,

The Rizal park and St. Joseph Cathedral is the traditional landmark, but there's more to come soon like that River Boardwalk and Park and that Second Magsaysay Cable Bridge
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/DSC00065.jpg

this i remember did'nt change much at all,,hows the plaza boy,,you know those street kids would go after you by a hundreds..trying to steal from you or beating you up,,still existed.. really bad image dawg,,went to that chruch every sunday morning,,,and after school...

I guess it would be the new City Government Center that's fast becoming a landmark for the city
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/edison_lee/ButuanCityHallModel_1.jpg

an thats a diamond design right there hope would come true,,dont trust politician my friend,,

that city government center is already finished....
this is the photo of the actual building taken last year...with the garden photo edited to make it closer to the building.
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL598/4010615/8325506/116438297.jpg

this i remember did'nt change much at all,,hows the plaza boy,,you know those street kids would go after you by a hundreds..trying to steal from you or beating you up,,still existed.. really bad image dawg,,went to that chruch every sunday morning,,,and after school...

those kids are housed now in rehab centers both government owned and by some NGOs

Mindanao infra projects to require P29 billion: Dureza
By Bong S. Sarmiento

THE government will need P29 billion to realize its ambitious super region concept in Mindanao for the next three years, according to Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza.

Dureza said these infrastructure development projects would "propel the competitiveness of the island battered by decades-old secessionist problems."

"The super region strategy will play a key role in ensuring that despite the pervading issues and challenges, efforts to address Mindanao's development imperatives are accelerated," the presidential adviser said.

Among the priority projects lined up for Mindanao are the construction or rehabilitation of airports in Butuan, Laguindingan, Ozamiz, Dipolog, Zamboanga, Pagadian and Cotabato.

The P29.1 billion three-year budget also includes the construction of the Dinagat Island Road Network, Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Malaig Irrigation Project, Davao Food Exchange Complex and the Sibuco-Sirawai-Siocon Baliguian Road.

With these projects, Dureza said "Mindanao will emerge as a gateway rather than as a backdoor in terms of progress and development."

He urged the private sector to support the initiative laid out by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her last State of the Nation Address.

Arroyo unveiled her super region concept on July 24 after noting the importance of grouping selected regions and provinces by their economic strengths to stimulate economic growth and development.

Although the second largest island in the country and home to 18.1 million people, most Mindanao provinces are listed among the poorest areas in the country.

Dureza said Mindanao accounts for over 40% of the food requirement of the country and contributes more than 30 percent to the national food trade.

"Mindanao's evenly distributed tropical climate makes it ideal for year round crop production," he said.

Earlier, Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez said the national government should appropriate a budget to Mindanao equal to that of Luzon.

"There have been unequal distributions of resources for infrastructure development. Luzon has been highly favored in terms of budget allocation in the past years," he said.

how long gonna be the airport to be started constructed,,or just the platform bla bla right now...its hard the air flight from where to where right now ,,its an international airport..just domestic,,

the project is a flagship project....it should get the proper funding in due time as it was long overdue since it was drafted under the TADP of Asian Development Bank..