Butuan City - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 6

boybleauXx

October 26th, 2006, 04:46 PM

12 best practices in local governance in Mindanao cited
Written by Walter I. Balane/MindaNews
Thursday, 26 October 2006 09 51 08

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 Oct) -- Twelve outstanding practices in local governance were presented Wednesday for improved service delivery, local economic development, enhanced and functional local structures and better peace and development, according to a presentation by a research and extension group.

The Surveys, Training, Research and Development Services, Inc. (STRIDES), a joint effort of government, private sector and civil society organizations, presented 12 local government units at the Forum on Innovative Local Governance for Peace and Development in Mindanao in Apo View Hotel here in time for the 15th anniversary celebration of the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Representatives from each municipality presented their achievements to other local government units, private and civil society organizations to help facilitate replication, expansion or upscaling.

Cited for improved service delivery were the municipality of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur for Reproductive Health and Child Friendly Services; municipality of Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte for solid waste management; and the municipality of Datu Paglas in Maguindanao for housing.

Three local government units (LGUs) were chosen for their success in local economic development, namely: Butuan City for economic enterprises, the municipality of Impasug-ong in Bukidnon for agricultural extension, and the municipality of Libungan in North Cotabato for its basic infrastructure development.

Davao City's gender-responsive local governance is among the three programs cited for enhanced and functional local structures. The others were the municipality of Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte for local special bodies, and the municipality of Lumbayanague in Lanao del Sur for its barangay justice service system.

Peace and development initiatives in Pikit, North Cotabato with its GiNaPaLadTaKa (acronym of seven villages with a mixed Muslim-Christian population helping together to preserve peace); Upi in Maguindanao with its transformative conflict-resolution , and Misamis Oriental's peace zones were also cited.

Workshop discussions for each of the four themes were held for other LGUs to identify which of the practices could be applied to their context; the other gains achieved for the theme and the factors that led to the gains and possible collaboration efforts.

On Oct. 26, panel discussions will be conducted on innovations in public-private partnerships and service delivery. There will also be a workshop on identifying needs and future actions.

The forum was organized to recognize and share LGU, private sector and civil society groups' achievements in service delivery, participatory and accountable governance. Also, it was organized as a venue for them to learn and build up capacity from the cited initiatives, to explore ways of improving and continuing the efforts and to promote partnerships.

The Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) co-organized the forum with STRIDES and 16 other government, private and donor organizations with support from the Transparent Accountable Governance Project of the Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1157&Itemid=50

boybleauXx

October 26th, 2006, 04:54 PM

BUTUAN BUSINESS CHAMBER AMONG MINDANAO'S BEST
GenSan business chamber is best in Mindanao
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews) — The business chamber in this city was named as the best in Mindanao during the recent Philippine Business Conference held in Metro Manila last week.
The award was given by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Tony Veneracion, president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Veneracion said criteria include services extended to the members, community involvement, and networking with government agencies.

Aside from GenSan, the other finalists for Mindanao were the cities of Davao, Iligan and Butuan, he said.

The award came amidst the controversy caused by the Davao chamber’s bolting out of the PCCI. Romeo Serra, chairman of the Mindanao Business Council, resigned as PCCI vice president for Mindanao.

He said his chamber’s disaffiliation from the national chamber “will have a snowballing effect” as he claimed that 16 other chambers in Mindanao will follow suit.

Veneracion, however, clarified that the GenSan group would not follow the Davao chamber. “We have no plans to bolt PCCI. There’s no discussion among the members to that effect,” he said.

Among the members of the GenSan chamber are six tuna processors and other companies engaged in the fishing industry, which provide direct and indirect employment to at least 100,000 people.

In the last few years, GenSan was also recognized for the dynamism of its business sector, named as among the most competitive cities by the Asian Institute of Management. MindaNews

boybleauXx

October 26th, 2006, 05:58 PM

BOB-bXu

October 27th, 2006, 04:41 AM

BUTUAN 2nd CABLE-STAYED STEEL BRIDGE
Soon to be one of its kind with one of the world's longest roadspan....once fully completed

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/th_B1.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B3.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B2.jpg

all photos courtesy of mamistahay of vizmin.com

the triangular arrangement of the steel cables reminds me of Penang Bridge in Malaysia

But its tower height and design is indeed very identical to those found in Japanese modern day cable-sayed bridges.

Indeed another additional icon to Butuan's unrelenting prosperous march to the future; next the megadome and the international airport; and the river boardwalk and theme park, and Palafox planned urban renewal.

A new face of Butuan we will see in 3 to 4 years

boybleauXx

October 27th, 2006, 01:56 PM

Sec. Dureza visits 2nd Magsaysay Bridge
by Robert E. Roperos

Butuan City (October 27) -- Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary and Mindanao Super Region Development Champion Jesus Dureza visited the second Magsaysay Bridge during his official engagement in the Mindanao Super Region Forum (Caraga Leg) held here recently.

In an interview with the local media at the bridge site, Sec. Dureza proudly said the bridge is one of the showcased projects of the government not only in Caraga Region and Mindanao but the entire country.

Sec. Dureza also said the construction is now on its 94 percent completion and hopefully be functional by April next year.

Dureza also congratulated Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza II whom he considered as the “prime mover” behind the project. He recalled that when he visited the city two years ago, the project was still an illustration of perspective, which means that the city government is fast-tracking the realization of the project.

When asked why he decided to visit the site when in fact, the visitation is not stipulated in his itinerary, the Secretary said it was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who told him to visit and assess the project when they met in Camiguin province during the Lanzones Festival a day before his travel to this city. Dureza also said the President is very proud of the project. “Maybe, the President will include in her schedule to visit here even before the inauguration of this project to see to it that everything has been put in place”, Sec. Dureza said.

At present, Sec. Dureza said the project costs about 2.1 billion pesos without inflationary projections. The whole span of the bridge across the river is 880 meters and the access road totaled about 13 kilometers.

Dureza also pointed out that aside from the bridge, other priority project of the national government is the completion of the viaduct that is currently constructed within the city. He also mentioned the Mindanao Super Region projects specifically the coastal road project connecting the provinces of Surigao and Davao Oriental. (PIA-13) [top]

jameslab8470

October 27th, 2006, 02:49 PM

I really can't believe that this is Butuan. WOW! Grabe!.. Butuan is a simple city. But i can image after this bridge is completed, it will create a great impact to the city's economy... grabe talaga.. Even though im not originally from Butuan, I'm proud being a citizen of Butuan city. hehe...

Aim High Butuan! Aja!

BUTUAN 2nd CABLE-STAYED STEEL BRIDGE
Soon to be one of its kind with one of the world's longest roadspan....once fully completed

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/th_B1.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B3.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B2.jpg

all photos courtesy of mamistahay of vizmin.com

jameslab8470

October 27th, 2006, 02:52 PM

Hehe... di parin ako makapaniwala... hehe... larga man sad ko butuan ugma from cebu... il try to visit this site....

jameslab8470

October 27th, 2006, 02:57 PM

About pala sa airport. I hope they can start the rehabilitation as soon as possible.... ok naman ang passenger traffic sa airport... I remember two years ago, yung cebu pacific and PAL, twice daily service nila MNL-BXU route during holiday season.... Naiimagine ko na A 330 naka park sa Butuan Airport. hehe

boybleauXx

October 27th, 2006, 04:52 PM

preety soon PAL too will upgrade its service using Airbus 319-100/320 from its present B737-400 service :) to Butuan

boybleauXx

October 27th, 2006, 07:11 PM

BUTUAN : HIGHWAY PROJECTS
http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/infrastructure/InfrastructureProjects/IPRegionalMaps/img/IP_Region13.jpg

boybleauXx

October 27th, 2006, 07:14 PM

http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/infrastructure/InfrastructureProjects/IPRegion13/IP_PPH13.gif

http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/infrastructure/InfrastructureProjects/IPRegion13/IP_Butuan13.gif

http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/infrastructure/InfrastructureProjects/IPRegion13/IP_ButuanCity13.gif

boybleauXx

October 28th, 2006, 09:34 AM

PUM Netherlands eyes expansion of projects in Mindanao

PUM Netherlands is thinking of expanding their presence in Mindanao targeting at least 55 projects in the area.

Ton Hens, PUM country coordinator for the Philippines, revealed this in a meeting with Romeo J. Serra, chairman of the Mindanao Business Council (MinBC), where Hens presented and discussed PUM's plans for Mindanao, and expressed high interest in partnering with MinBC in rolling out PUM's assistance to the chambers of commerce, business support organizations, and industry associations in the island.

Serra further proposed that PUM's assistance be rolled out through the MinBC focal areas. These are the cities of Davao, Cagayan de, General Santos, Butuan, Cotabato, and Zamboanga.

MinBC also strongly recommends that the Muslim Chambers in the island be among the list of recipients of PUM's assistance.

Serra hailed PUM's plans, saying that this would strengthen the Mindanao business support organizations' capability to provide quality services to their member SMEs citing MinBC's experience as a former recipient of PUM's technical assistance. Serra added that MinBC welcomes the partnership with PUM.

PUM has played an important role in the field of international development assistance for the past 26 years, sending senior experts to more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. "PUM in the Philippines goal in 2007 is to concentrate on the Mindanao region," Hens concluded. (Press release)

ikra

October 28th, 2006, 02:30 PM

damn the bridge looks absolutely stunning... =/ never been to butuan andits ironic since i come from mindanao as well =/

Kaiser

October 28th, 2006, 03:16 PM

ikra

October 28th, 2006, 03:27 PM

anybody know the total span of this bridge?

boybleauXx

October 29th, 2006, 03:36 PM

The whole span of the bridge across the river is 880 meters and the access road totaled about 13 kilometers

boybleauXx

October 29th, 2006, 04:36 PM

Shanghai City's Nanpu bridge
http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/pics/3417.jpg

Butuan City's 2nd Magsaysay Bridge
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B3.jpg

ikra

October 29th, 2006, 06:46 PM

its not the longest but still beautiful

BOB-bXu

October 30th, 2006, 01:37 PM

Mindanao area braces for growth through 'super region'
By Bong Garcia

The fight against poverty is gaining headway in Caraga as big-ticket infrastructures as well as peace-building projects are underway to promote peace, trade, and greater access to goods and basic services in the region.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga Regional Director Romeo Momo revealed during the Mindanao Super Region Forum held last week that the region's infrastructure development program is boldly making accomplishments to address its infrastructure bottlenecks.

Momo reported that the construction of the P2.1 billion 882 meters-long Second Magsaysay Bridge and Butuan City Bypass Road project, a major landmark project in Caraga, is now running at 92.49 percent actual accomplishment rate as of October.

The main structure at the east side of the main bridge and viaduct is already connected while fixing of stay cables is almost done. Its main bridge structure is scheduled for completion next month.

The project was inspected last week by an inspection team headed by Presidential Peace Adviser and Mindanao Super Region Development overseer Jesus Dureza, along with Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) Chair Virgilio Leyretana and officials from DPWH-Caraga and National Economic Development Authority (Neda).

Medco said the Second Magsaysay Bridge is a steel cable stayed bridge, the first of its kind in the whole of Mindanao and second in the Philippines next to the Second Mandaue-Mactan Bridge in Cebu.

It will become an alternative crossing in Agusan River to connect the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway (Surigao-Agusan-Davao Road) and the Butuan City-Cagayan-Iligan road.

"I remember two years ago when I visited Caraga, it is still on the drawing board and now it's a dream fulfilled. The bridge is the most beautiful span we have seen that can compete architecturally with other infrastructure projects in other parts of Asia and it is to the credit of local leadership with the support of national government that the project is made possible," Dureza said.

"The realization of the multi-million bridge project is a result of a super region-like strategy that has long been pursued to develop Mindanao," he added.

Dureza said that four of the infrastructure projects placed under the Mindanao Super Region Initiative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are all located in Caraga region
These include the Dinagat Island Road Network, Butuan Airport, Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, and Hawilian-Salug-Sinakungan Barangay Road project.

Momo said an initial funding of P100 million was recently released to launch construction of the Dinagat Island Road Network, which is seen critical in providing access between urban and rural areas in Dinagat Island.

He said detailed engineering work is being done while its bidding process is set to take off before yearend.

He also announced that the construction and improvement of the five road sections of the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road is also ongoing and scheduled to be completed by 2010 at a total cost of P5.8 billion.

These are known as the Bacuag-Claver and Tandag-Marihtag provincial boundary, Marihatag-Barobo-Tagbina-Hinatuan, Bislig-Manay and Manay-Mati junctions.

As to the peace-building projects, the Government of the Philippines-UN ACT for Peace Programme has launched assistance in Caraga with the signing of its partnership agreements with three partner non-government organizations (NGO) in the region.

The NGO signatories are the Associates for Integral Development Foundation Inc. (AID Foundation), Agusan for People's Health Development Foundation Inc., and Surigao del Sur Organization for Health and Development Inc.

The total programme support amounts to P4.7 million and covers social preparation work in 20 barangays identified to become peace and development communities in the Caraga region.

An area management office will be set up soon in Caraga to facilitate an efficient and more focused peace-building work in the region that has been confronted with communist insurgency problems for several years.

Dureza urged the stakeholders to strengthen convergence and invite donors to come to the region in order to sustain the development momentum in Caraga.

The Mindanao Super Region Forum-Caraga Leg is the first of a series of road shows for the Super Region Initiative in Mindanao.

BOB-bXu

October 31st, 2006, 04:50 PM

boybleauXx

November 1st, 2006, 03:19 AM

Real estate brokers exam

THE Bureau of Trade and Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will administer the real estate brokers examination on November 26.

The real estate appraisers’ examination will be held simultaneously on the same date in in Quezon City, Angeles City, Lucena City, Cebu City, Butuan City, and Davao City.

Deadline for submission of application with complete requirements for the said examinations to the proper DTI Regional/Provincial Offices will be on November 20, 2006.

The real estate consultants' examination is scheduled on December 5 at the DTI Head Office in Makati City.

For more information, please get in touch with Ms. Corona Olivia Rivera at tel. no. (02) 7510384 local 2228 or 2229 or the concerned DTI Regional/Provincial Offices.

boybleauXx

November 1st, 2006, 09:19 AM

Government to revive CARAGA Industrial Timber Plantation Project
by Katherine Adraneda
Philstar News
November 01, 2006

The Government is set to revive a billion dollar forestry investment involving the setting up of an industrial timber plantation with a total area of 110,790 hectares in the CARAGA Region under the stewardships of the governments of Finland and New Zealand.

During the Asia-Europe Meeting in Helsinki last month, President Arroyo approved the revival of the government's co-production agreement with the Shannalyne Inc. and the governments of Finland and New Zealand.

Mrs. Arroyo is eyeing the launch of the project this December, in time for the scheduled Manila visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

The revival of the Shannalyne project is said to be among Mrs. Arroyo's accomplishments in the Asia-Europe Meeting, together with the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) which she signed with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

New Zealand Ambassador Terry Baker and Finnish Ambassador Raimo Anttola signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments, while Cheow Teck Tan signed for Shannalyne.

Alvarez said that the Industrial Timber Plantation will be put up in public forest lands within the CARAGA Forest Plantation Corridor, which was established under DENR Administrative Order No. 99-13.

Wood-processing facilities will subsequently be put upwithin the special economic zone to be known as Shannalyne Technological and Environmental Park, which was created and declared as such under Proclamation No. 17 issued by Mrs. arroyo on March 12, 2001.

The project, according to Alvarez, initially seeks to reforest denuded lands in Mindanao, allow the country to be self-sufficient in wood/ timber needs, establish the Philippines as a leading timber-exporting country, and create jobs.

Alvarez said timber plantation scientists from Finland, who are considered experts in sustainable forest management, are coming over to join their Philippine counterparts to package the program.

Alvarez, presidential adviser on agrarian reform, said the project will involve at least $ 1 Billion USD in investments to the Philippines.

This, Alvarez said, will include the dredging of the Nasipit International Port, the project's export site. a Railroad System linking the port to the project site will also be constructed.

"The co-production agreement will launch a sustainable agro-forest program designed by Finland's world famous consulting firm, Yakko Poyry, which has already undertaken millions of hectares of agro-forestry in Brazil and even in Finland," Alvarez said.

He said the government entered into the project due to the scarcity of wood raw materials resulting from the rapid depletion of the country's forest resources.

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL598/4010615/8325506/116440286.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 1st, 2006, 11:50 AM

boybleauXx

November 1st, 2006, 11:59 AM

whoaaa at least 1 Billion US Dollars ?!!! thats very good news indeed boy !:) :)

talking about billion dollar investments in our region. I have read in the paper here that President Aroyo in her visit to China has now finalized this 1 Billion dollar Philnico Industrial Corporation revival by infusion of fresh capital from Chinese businessmen.

the story quotes: ( from Philippine Star dated today, November 01, 06)

" Mrs. Arroyo witnessed the signing of 15 business and other agreements between Chinese and Filipino companies including a $ 1 Billion financial and technical assistance by Jinchuan Non Ferrous Materials Corp. to Philnico Industrial Corporation for its Nonoc nickel project in Surigao del Norte."

yes, what I am very excited is that planned Railroad component of this Timber Corridor Project....traversing Butuan to its terminal at the Nasipit International Port.

These two planned but pipelined multi-billion dollar foreign investments will surely ignite a cascade of marked growth to thousands of step down industries within and around Butuan in particular and in Northeastern Mindanao/CARAGA in general.

MarkiiBoi

November 1st, 2006, 12:11 PM

galing ng bridge nyo! world class!

BOB-bXu

November 1st, 2006, 12:16 PM

this not to mention other big time projects such as that ongoing expansion of Palm Oil Plantations in Agusan and in Butuan. There is this ongoing construction activity within the Nasipit Agro Industrial Estate, I have heard it will be a bulk and processing facility for palm oil from Agusan del Sur. They built it within the industrial estate because its access to the international port.

that almost finished Butuan 2nd Cable-stayed Bridge will really spell a lot of progress in terms of movement of raw materials, products and of course capital within the region

here are the model pictures of Nasipit Agro Industrial Estate I stole from Nasipit blogsite. my bad he he he

http://nasipit.atspace.org/images/nasipit83.jpg
http://nasipit.atspace.org/images/nasipit85.jpg
http://nasipit.atspace.org/images/nasipit85.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 1st, 2006, 12:21 PM

galing ng bridge nyo! world class!

thanks Markiboi :) I hope that bridge have had a Pinoy architect man lang as one of the designers and not just the usual Japanese designers.

It seems everything big being built here in Butuan are Japanese.

boybleauXx

November 1st, 2006, 12:48 PM

Margies pics as stolen from Francis's blogsite
http://images.hellofrancis.multiply.com/image/3/photos/6/500x500/1/Butuan%20Photos%20006.jpg?et=Dqbw7qWD44K%2Bc7yPGjCi7A

http://images.hellofrancis.multiply.com/image/2/photos/6/500x500/8/Butuan%20Photos%20129.jpg?et=A66KNW9PlcpYexahHKTGBQ

Margies is one of my favorite coffee shops here in Butuan, among my fave includes inhouse signature chocolate monster and that exotic barako cofee with carabao milk and cacao topped with frothy cream. yum!

this cafeine hub in da city offers free wi-fi to boot.

there are other homegrown coffee shops in the city, worthy mentioning also are True Brew and Big Bowl and the swanky La Cafiza

Bob-bxu:

I would still pick my suki, True Brew along JC Aquino Ave....their froccino is surely much better than that of Manila's Figaro....you are correct with their serving size...the servings are big.. especially that club house and that tuna potato salad...it seems more than a meal in size. They may not have that choco monster like that of Margie's...but they have the fluffiest carrot cake I have tasted.

Glen Soco's Coffee Dream of Cebu is also coming to Butuan.
I dont have any ideas yet when they will start setting shop but what I am sure of is that it will be an added perk to this city's growing coffeeholics....together with other coffee hubs in the city like Margie's , True Brew, Moff's Cafe and La Cafiza....i

is Big Bowl a true blue cafe?...havent been there yet

BOB-bXu

November 1st, 2006, 03:35 PM

I am sure it will :)

If I have the capital I would buy a franchise of KOPIROTI for a Butuan outlet. This cafe shop is very affordable yet has unique menu. I have tried one of their shops in Tomas Morato in Quezon City and found their set up very suitable to Butuan.

Their coffee bun is very good

boybleauXx

November 3rd, 2006, 02:35 AM

Butuan braces for growth from big infra projects

BUTUAN CITY -- The fight against poverty is gaining headway in Caraga as big ticket infrastructure and peace-building projects are underway to promote peace, trade and greater access to goods and basic services in the region.

At the recently held Mindanao Super Region Forum-Caraga Leg in Butuan City, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 13 revealed that the region's infrastructure development program is boldly making accomplishments to address its infrastructure bottlenecks.

Construction of the P2.1 billion Second Magsaysay Bridge and Butuan City Bypass Road project, a major landmark project in Caraga, is now running at 92.49 percent actual accomplishment rate as of October.

During an inspection led by Presidential Peace Adviser and Mindanao Super Region Development Champion Jesus Dureza, along with Mindanao Economic Development Council Chair Virgilio Leyretana and officials from DPWH 13 and National Economic Development Authority 13 held at the project site in Barangay San Vicente, Butuan City last week, the main structure at the east side of the main bridge and viaduct is already connected while fixing of stay cables is almost done. Its main bridge structure is scheduled for completion next month.

Alternative crossing

The Second Magsaysay Bridge is a steel cable stayed bridge, the first of its kind in the whole of Mindanao and second in the Philippines (next to the second Mandaue-Mactan Bridge in Cebu).

With a total span of 882 meters, it will become an alternative crossing in Agusan River to connect the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway (Surigao-Agusan-Davao Road) and the Butuan City-Cagayan-Iligan road.

"This bridge is the most beautiful span we have seen that can compete architecturally with other infrastructure projects in other parts of Asia and it is to the credit of local leadership with the support of national government who made this project possible," said Dureza.

He added that the realization of the multi-million bridge project is a result of a super region-like strategy that has long been pursued to develop Mindanao.

At the forum, Dureza said that four of the infrastructure projects placed under the Mindanao Super Region Initiative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are in Caraga. These include the Dinagat Island Road Network, Butuan Airport, Surigao-Davao Coastal Road and Hawilian-Salug-Sinakungan Barangay Road project.

DPWH Caraga Regional Director Romeo Momo said an initial funding of P100 million was recently released to launch construction of the Dinagat Island Road Network, which is seen critical in providing access between urban and rural areas in Dinagat Island.

He said detailed engineering work is being done while its bidding process is set to take off before yearend.

Advocacy

Meanwhile, the construction and improvement of Surigao-Davao Coastal Road is also ongoing. Composed of five road sections, which are the junction Bacuag-Claver Provincial boundary, provincial boundary-Tandag-Marihatag, Marihatag-Barobo-Tagbina-Hinatuan, Bislig-Manay and Manay-Mati, this road will be completed starting this year until 2010 at a total cost of P5.8 billion.

To sustain the development momentum in Caraga, Dureza however urged local stakeholders at the forum to strengthen convergence and invite donors to come to the region.

"We will have to do a lot of advocacy work to put Caraga again on the radar screen of the donors. I urge you to expand convergence efforts and make the Mindanao Super Region as your entry point so that Caraga will get the attention it deserves," Dureza said. The Mindanao Super Region Forum-Caraga Leg is the first of a series of roadshows for the Super Region Initiative in Mindanao. (Medco)

boybleauXx

November 6th, 2006, 08:24 AM

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/LakeMainit.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 6th, 2006, 05:22 PM

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Mindanao Mega Region’s
economic devt shapes up

BUTUAN CITY: Local government (LGU) executives were urged on Sunday to maximize their executive powers in implementing policies that could further explore alternative financing options and increase their ability to raise more revenues.

They were also challenged to use their function that can explore other ways to generate more fund sources under Section 22 of the Local Government Code (LGC), which, up to now, largely remained untapped and unexplored.

“LGUs should maximize their corporate powers that were outlined under the LGC of 1991, rather than relying on the internal revenue allotment [IRA],” said Mindanao Economic Development (MEDco) Chairman Virgilio Leyretana.

He said these corporate powers include the right to engage in a corporate nature of endeavor, acquire and convey real or personal property, enter into contracts and exercise such other powers granted to corporations, but subject to limitations provided in the local government code and other laws.

The MEDco chairman also emphasized the need for LGUs to adopt more corporate measures for governance.

“Harnessing LGU corporate capacities are extremely important as our society is advancing in age. With advancement, the spectrum of local governance also changes,” he noted.

Leyretana encouraged the LGUs to effectively implement corporate governance by participating in the Mindanao Investment Program (MIP), a compendium of priority pro*jects and programs for Min*danao generated through series of extensive consultations with Mindanao stakeholders, line agencies, LGUs and donor community both at the regional and Mindanao-wide levels.

Specifically, the MIP develops investment requirements for Mindanao, based on the peace and development Plan and the Regional Development Investment Programs the MEDco chairman added.

Meanwhile, Mindanao development champion and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus G. Dureza also said on Sunday that full economic development in Mindanao is showing up as various cities, regional and provincial development councils had already submitted their economic and development agenda to the technical working group to the newly created Super Min*danao Mega Region.

boybleauXx

November 7th, 2006, 04:07 AM

mega projects for the mega region

boybleauXx

November 7th, 2006, 06:50 AM

Lake Mainit
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/LakeMainit1.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 8th, 2006, 06:11 AM

Butuan FlyOver Project

Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Two flyovers to rise in city
By Jay Dooma Balnig

THE Department of Public Works and Highways is now studying the possibility of constructing two flyovers in Iloilo City.

Emil Sadain, executive director of the President's Bridge Program has asked David Watson of Mabey and Johnson Ltd. to conduct a feasibility study as well as assess the environmental impact of the flyovers.

One will be put up at the junction of General Luna St. and Jalandoni Street and one at the junction of Diversion Road and General Luna Street.

The infrastructures are part of the 10 flyovers that will be constructed all over the country under the President's Bridge Program of DPWH.

Mabey and Johnson Ltd received the communication of Sadain last Oct. 19, 2006.

Other cities that could avail of the infrastructure are San Fernando, Pampanga, Cebu City, Davao City, Camarines Sur, Butuan City and Bacolod City.

The budget for the project is yet to be released by the DPWH.

The DPWH conducted Tuesday a traffic count in order to determine the volume of vehicles passing the said streets.

boybleauXx

November 8th, 2006, 11:01 AM

hmmmm...where exactly in the city this planned flyover be built?

I suppose its going to be built at the intersection of the new diversion highway and JC Aquino in Liberatad right? or perhaps in Ampayon or in the Rosales Ave. and JC aquino Ave. intersections?

FrancisXavier

November 8th, 2006, 03:17 PM

boybleauXx

November 9th, 2006, 01:33 AM

Francis:

we shall expect to see more of this in the future rising in the bays of Panguil in the Tangub bay bridge in region 10 and the planned Samal bridge in davao area

FrancisXavier

November 9th, 2006, 05:57 AM

You mean cable stayed bridges? Wow!
Actually the u/c 5th bridge in CDO is somehow like a cable stayed(as per the rendering), i just dunno if it(the design) will materialize.

Sinjin P.

November 9th, 2006, 05:58 AM

Thanks for the photos of the u/c bridge boybleau, I didn't expect it to be that grand... :applause:

paulkrps

November 9th, 2006, 11:05 AM

Lake Mainit
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/LakeMainit1.jpg

oh this island i really love. during my younger years, i would this on the way to surigao and just be awed. thanks boy for the pic.

boybleauXx

November 11th, 2006, 04:05 AM

You mean cable stayed bridges? Wow!
Actually the u/c 5th bridge in CDO is somehow like a cable stayed(as per the rendering), i just dunno if it(the design) will materialize.

Francis;

sorry for the late reply, been travelling here in Northern Luzon cities for the past 3 days.

Dongkoy seems very serious finishing off this project despite the previous qualms raised over the 4th bridge regarding the issue on Huluga.

an arched type cable suspension design rather than cable stayed would be better looking considering the narrowness of Cagayan de Oro River.

the Panguil Bay bridge was already endorsed by the Regional Development Council 10 to the NEDA for fund sourcing...it will drastically cut off travel time to Misamis Occidental and then on Zamboanga peninsula by more than 2 hours from Lanao provinces

boybleauXx

November 11th, 2006, 04:13 AM

Thanks for the photos of the u/c bridge boybleau, I didn't expect it to be that grand... :applause:

sinjin:

sorry for my late reply. Been out of Butuan for a few days currently here in Baguio and probably next in Santiago City and Tuguegarao City by tommorow via Cabanatuan City (pending weather conditions).

Butuan 2nd Cable-stayed Bridge is a novel design considering the height of its center tower which is as tall as that of Nanpu Bridge in China.

They could have used two short tower supports just like the ones in Marcelo Fernan Bridge across Mactan Channel, but designers feel it would be dramatic to build a much taller singular tower in the center, considering also the width of the Agusan River where it crosses.

boybleauXx

November 11th, 2006, 04:18 AM

oh this island i really love. during my younger years, i would this on the way to surigao and just be awed. thanks boy for the pic.

hey Paul:

been awhile not reading your posts in this thread...you must have been travelling a lot early on your youth :)

are you in Davao now or overseas?

BOB-bXu

November 11th, 2006, 06:48 AM

sinjin:

sorry for my late reply. Been out of Butuan for a few days currently here in Baguio and probably next in Santiago City and Tuguegarao City by tommorow via Cabanatuan City (pending weather conditions).

Butuan 2nd Cable-stayed Bridge is a novel design considering the height of its center tower which is as tall as that of Nanpu Bridge in China.

They could have used two short tower supports just like the ones in Marcelo Fernan Bridge across Mactan Channel, but designers feel it would be dramatic to build a much taller singular tower in the center, considering also the width of the Agusan River where it crosses.

boy, if you happen to pass by Dagupan, kindly take some photos.

my family came from Dagupan. and have settled for good here in Butuan.

those cities you mentioned above I presume to be progressive too; though they are small compared to Butuan, these northern Luzon cities are definitely on the move too

BOB-bXu

November 11th, 2006, 07:12 AM

Rizal Park trees
http://static.flickr.com/81/280494982_422e460040.jpg?v=0

jameslab8470

November 11th, 2006, 07:29 AM

Rizal Park trees
http://static.flickr.com/81/280494982_422e460040.jpg?v=0

This one was taken at the Almont Hotel, am i right? Is the renovation completed alreadY? last time i was there in Butuan, ginagawa pa rin nila yung uplifting and improvement of interior works ng hotel.

boybleauXx

November 12th, 2006, 01:06 PM

This one was taken at the Almont Hotel, am i right? Is the renovation completed alreadY? last time i was there in Butuan, ginagawa pa rin nila yung uplifting and improvement of interior works ng hotel.

Bob:

Yes, it seems theres a renovation activity going on there. have also noted this new building adjacent to Mancao Square, the new building looks like a mini mall in arrangement.

boybleauXx

November 12th, 2006, 01:12 PM

http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/abpHFfSf2Xe9/__sr_/79c9.jpg?tkn=phU5xVFBAfHj1Xsn&saveas=10-31+to+11-02-05+Agusan+Marsh+-+2nd+Adventure+-+Toog+Tree

boybleauXx

November 12th, 2006, 01:17 PM

Rizal Park trees
http://static.flickr.com/81/280494982_422e460040.jpg?v=0

Our planners should see how Baguio manages her parks...filled with trees!

The Butuan Rizal Park will soon be expanded (as part of the city-wide urban renewal program), if plans wont get a glitch, that PNP building and lot right across the park shall be demolished to give way for the parks expansion along the corners of AD Curato and Aquino.

IMPRESARIO

November 12th, 2006, 02:15 PM

http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/abpHFfSf2Xe9/__sr_/79c9.jpg?tkn=phU5xVFBAfHj1Xsn&saveas=10-31+to+11-02-05+Agusan+Marsh+-+2nd+Adventure+-+Toog+Tree

^^^The best skyscraper period! :D

paulkrps

November 13th, 2006, 02:51 AM

hey Paul:

been awhile not reading your posts in this thread...you must have been travelling a lot early on your youth :)

are you in Davao now or overseas?

hi boy, currently here in toronto. got to travel when in was with a visual artists group way back in 1985 to 1987. i was the exhibit coordinator so i would travel with fellow artists and set up exhibits everywhere. so i loved my travel to cdo, butuan and surigao. my most memorable was the philtranco trips from manila to liloan, leyte then transferred to a lantsa for butuan. i didn't know that they would pickup passengers along those coastal towns in southern leyte before going to butuan. then upon arriving butuan with boxes in tow ran to catch up the last trip for davao. these kind of trips made me appreciate the countryside. when i worked in a printing company, i was usually the speaker for their seminars and so again, travel took me to zamboanga, cotabato, cdo, bukidnon, iligan, cebu, etc and also attended trade shows in singapore regularly. i can't exchange it for anything. it's true that travel educates you more than the school.

boybleauXx

November 13th, 2006, 03:34 PM

boybleauXx

November 13th, 2006, 03:46 PM

http://static.flickr.com/83/232506092_52d3ce0626.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/98/232506115_2df3bd2dea.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/90/232506162_071b9e22c0.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/78/189175769_28c52882a8.jpg?v=0

boybleauXx

November 13th, 2006, 03:58 PM

local cofeeholics enjoying local cafe icon True Brew
http://static.flickr.com/66/177348717_a225a838fc.jpg?v=0
but try Margies Kitchen and La Cafiza too for other cofee adventures

boybleauXx

November 13th, 2006, 04:07 PM

http://static.flickr.com/72/189175768_40ca1becd8.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/64/189175770_36bfd2691e.jpg?v=0

boybleauXx

November 13th, 2006, 04:22 PM

http://static.flickr.com/26/57222995_7e1bf40e06.jpg?v=0

Jimbu

November 13th, 2006, 05:01 PM

BOB-bXu

November 14th, 2006, 12:57 AM

wow! beautiful bridge design. i never thought it's nearing completion. this bridge gonna be one of Butuan's icon. :cheers:

the new highway leading to and from the new bridge is also almost complete. it is expectd that new businesses shall be sprouting along this new modern thouroughfare

paulkrps

November 14th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Paul:

Its good that early on you have experienced the lessons of travel not many of us here have learned.

I must say that we should not be foreigners in our own land.
Those places you have gone may have been to distant from home and that travel may be that tedious, but beauty is everywhere along the path, though some of us may see it differently

true, true. boy, in those travels that was where i got to meet lando and the rest of edcads fame. also, the highway to surigao is what i also one of the scenic especially that part of tubod.

i hope when i do go back for vacation, i can retrace those travels again.

i appreciate what you're doing for the butuan thread boy, more power to you.

paulkrps

November 14th, 2006, 01:09 AM

hey all, can someone post the balanghai site?

BOB-bXu

November 14th, 2006, 01:24 AM

An iron sculpture depicting the Balanghai boat within the museum's park
http://image.pbase.com/u10/tekgik/medium/2274127.Museum002.jpg

Paul, I will try looking for that site

BOB-bXu

November 14th, 2006, 01:31 AM

http://balanghai.com/images/54ahb/undak-undak/04.jpg

Butuan of A Thousand Years
Antonio Montalvan II,Philippine Daily Inquirer

ALL history is local, merged into the one we call by the misnomer "national history." A misnomer because what we currently refer to as "national history" is in fact local. "Manila local" for the most part, that is. Until we look beyond that myopia and recognize that the national struggle is a conglomeration of local discourses that, when blended together, form the national discourse of the Filipino people, then we shall remain fragmented, no more than a consortium of regional peoples that only happen to be a state.

And that is why all attempts at local historiography must be a cause for celebration. Much more so when it is the product of fine research. There is such a product, a recent book, the outcome of concerted local efforts. It should open the eyes of Manila historians to what simple pride of place can do.

"Butuan of a Thousand Years," by Butuan historian Greg Hontiveros, recently came off the Ateneo de Manila University Press. The title is a chronological catch-all and hints of what national history has been missing all along. More than a thousand years ago, Butuan already lay along the route of the trade winds that reached a peak in Southeast Asia around 900 to 1100 A.D.

The balanghai or Butuan Boat in the National Museum of the Filipino People at the Luneta is just a tiny speck in the vast historical galaxy with which Butuan has enriched Philippine history. The abundance of artifacts excavated in Butuan over the last few years should move back our historical chronology-to about 200 years earlier.

Hontiveros' description of Butuan's trade connections at once gives an indication of what little we actually know: "So extensive was Butuan's trading links with her Asian neighbors that a quantitative survey of the ceramics discovered would reveal the following: 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.)."

Chinese annals show that as early as October 1003, the Butuan king was already sending trade missions to the Chinese emperor who, at one time, received a gift of native Butuan products and red parrots. In February of 1004, the emperor had the Butuan envoys fetched for the Chinese New Year Festival. In 1007, the Butuan king again sent another mission to China, bringing tortoise shells, camphor, cloves, mother-of-cloves and other native products.

Today, we are either amused at or peeved with the news that, in her state visit to China, President Macapagal-Arroyo brought along her daughters-in-law and grandchildren and their nursemaids. At least, we know that our ancestors were better ambassadors.

We make a lot of bones about European colonizers coming to our shores in search of spices. But it has become clear from belated accounts that Butuan was in the middle of the "spice emporium" long before the Europeans heard of it. Proud Butuan residents have been heard to claim: "Long before there was Philippines, there already was Butuan." Now we know this is true.

The other absorbing part of the Hontiveros book-which sadly even the National Historical Institute has not resolved credibly to this day-is the continuing debate on the site of the first Christian Mass in the Philippines: Was it in Limasawa or Butuan? To answer this question, Hontiveros uses a wealthy array of primary historical sources, mostly acquired from rep**able European archives and libraries.

For the first Mass could neither have been in Limasawa nor Butuan. Pigafetta's "Mazzaua" island was placed at latitude 9§ 1/3' N or 9§ 20' N. There is no island at that latitude between Limasawa and Butuan Bay. Limasawa Island, in fact, is further up north at 9§ 55 00' N.

A team of Filipino geologists and archaeologists conducted a geomorphological study of the Butuan area in 2000 and 2001. The study came up with an astonishing finding, to say the least. The experts determined that in a temporal perspective of 45,000 years of land formation in Butuan, an island once existed in the area roughly corresponding to the Pigafetta latitudes of the so-called Mazzaua (where the first Mass was celebrated on that Easter morning of March 31, 1521). However, centuries of gradual siltation after Magellan's visit fused the island with the mainland.

Those who are in rabid pursuit to resolve the first Mass controversy, and those who so far tend to rely on the "Limasawa arguments," may not have to agree with Hontiveros' data. But, as in a court of law where a previously resolved case can be reopened in the event of new testimony, the burden may now be on the NHI to review the case in the interest of historical truth. Unfortunately, none among our history experts may be able to resolve the impasse. What the NHI can do, however, is to call for Magellan scholars and navigation historians for this is, first and foremost, a navigational issue.

A Manila television host once sneered at this controversy, saying that we shouldn't be bothered about where the first Mass was held, anyway she herself was not in the habit of going to Mass. There are many ways that Manila certainly does not speak for the rest of us in the provinces. There also are many ways by which Manila must listen to us. Reading "Butuan of a Thousand Years" could be one of them. "

BOB-bXu

November 14th, 2006, 06:22 AM

local cofeeholics enjoying local cafe icon True Brew
http://static.flickr.com/66/177348717_a225a838fc.jpg?v=0
but try Margies Kitchen and La Cafiza too for other cofee adventures

I love Margie's Choco Monster. Would prefer Margie's over that of Brew :)

I have now an idea how you look like boy? he he he:lol:

boybleauXx

November 14th, 2006, 07:17 AM

I love Margie's Choco Monster. Would prefer Margie's over that of Brew :)

I have now an idea how you look like boy? he he he:lol:

that was a stolen photo Bob.

I do not look old and certainly I am not bald he he :)

BOB-bXu

November 14th, 2006, 07:29 AM

opps sorry :) my bad :nuts:

I presume connected ka with some government agency in Butuan?

boybleauXx

November 14th, 2006, 07:43 AM

thats ok..I am just an ordinary Pinoy working under this hot Philippine sun.:)

But I must tell you...Butuan is heading for unprecedented growth once all the vital flagship projects and programs are put into place

boybleauXx

November 14th, 2006, 07:51 AM

Greater Butuan Area as viewed from Mt. Mayapay

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/Butuancityhilltop.jpg

bonixx

November 14th, 2006, 08:14 AM

Greater Butuan Area as viewed from Mt. Mayapay

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/Butuancityhilltop.jpg

so impressive too much area for expansion.

boybleauXx

November 14th, 2006, 08:43 AM

Butuan Sprawl

http://pic13.picturetrail.com/VOL473/4138906/8638500/117580481.jpg

paulkrps

November 14th, 2006, 11:35 AM

An iron sculpture depicting the Balanghai boat within the museum's park
http://image.pbase.com/u10/tekgik/medium/2274127.Museum002.jpg

Paul, I will try looking for that site

salamat kaayo bob. anybody here from the atega clan of cabadbaran?

isa nga ideya diay is, maybe you guys can post on the pioneer/old families of butuan.

boybleauXx

November 15th, 2006, 01:52 AM

salamat kaayo bob. anybody here from the atega clan of cabadbaran?

isa nga ideya diay is, maybe you guys can post on the pioneer/old families of butuan.

Paul:

I got this photo of one of the unearthed ancient Balanghais....its one of those carbon dated relics dating to as early 1000 AD
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL64/2014202/3899218/48604553.jpg

boybleauXx

November 15th, 2006, 01:58 AM

Replica of the Golden Tara of Butuan ~ link to Sri Vidjayan Empire
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/tara.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 15th, 2006, 04:33 AM

boy, how is the plan of retrieving the image from Chicago Museum of Natural history going? seems the national museum is inutile with this effort

paulkrps

November 15th, 2006, 10:52 AM

Paul:

I got this photo of one of the unearthed ancient Balanghais....its one of those carbon dated relics dating to as early 1000 AD
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL64/2014202/3899218/48604553.jpg

salamat kaayo boy!

just a question guys or basig namiss lang nako, any planned development for the airport?

boybleauXx

November 15th, 2006, 05:53 PM

hello Paul:

here's the related news re airport project

MINDANAO SUPRA REGION MEGA PROJECTS

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

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

FrancisXavier

November 15th, 2006, 05:55 PM

g0Rs

November 15th, 2006, 06:06 PM

http://www.cowi.com/NR/rdonlyres/AE61C9F5-9054-4911-9467-B75B89267E42/0/thirdairportB3.jpg

murag kani ang ila himuon nga terminal @lew

FrancisXavier

November 15th, 2006, 06:09 PM

2 storey yan diba? butangan nalang unta ug aerobridges..

g0Rs

November 15th, 2006, 06:13 PM

old plan daw na...naa daw bag-o but i haven't seen the rendering pa

FrancisXavier

November 15th, 2006, 06:15 PM

kanang sa article sa pikas page, 386 thousand ra lagi nang budget sa laguindingan...:lol:

boybleauXx

November 15th, 2006, 08:07 PM

I guess its 386 M na siya.....

Laguindingan has had several fund sources, maybe this money is not for the entire works but for a component of the project..

I could imagine the positive impact of these international grade airport projects on NorthWestern to NorthEastern Mindanao seaboard.

Hopefully they will finally include that long overdue Iligan-CDO-Butuan Phase Railroad Project soon too

ikra

November 15th, 2006, 09:59 PM

railroad is so important

boybleauXx

November 16th, 2006, 08:55 AM

the two growth regions should be merged by this railroad

BOB-bXu

November 17th, 2006, 05:24 AM

Mt. Mayapay from afar taken from B737-400 in Bancasi Airport
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/butuan.jpg?t=1163737054

BOB-bXu

November 17th, 2006, 06:03 AM

PAL has been one the frontrunners of the citys development for the past years
http://www.bilmoko.com/ProductImg/palbutuan%20230x230.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 17th, 2006, 06:06 AM

paulkrps

November 17th, 2006, 12:05 PM

Mayor Plaza assures 2nd Magsaysay Bridge to operate 1st quarter next year
by Suzette @ 12:00 pm. Filed under News

BUTUAN CITY– Mayor Democrito Plaza II assured the public that the newly-constructed 2nd Magsaysay Bridge will be operational by January or February next year.

The statement was made by Mayor Plaza during a press conference conducted recently.

Mayor Plaza also said that he is inviting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to lead the inauguration of the P3 billion-project which, according to Sec. Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) during his visit recently, is one of the biggest projects of the national government as embodied in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) of the Arroyo administration.

It was recalled that the construction of the bridge was conceptualized in 2004 and will be operational as scheduled. (PIA)

that will be a grand day for butuan and the rest of the environs. karon pa lang, congrats na inyo diha.

WawaY[625]

November 17th, 2006, 12:55 PM

PAL has been one the frontrunners of the citys development for the past years
http://www.bilmoko.com/ProductImg/palbutuan%20230x230.jpg

wow! A330 ba ang gamit ng PAL sa Butuan?

jameslab8470

November 17th, 2006, 01:59 PM

;10517254']wow! A330 ba ang gamit ng PAL sa Butuan?

NO! hehe... i think edit lang to... hehe... the runway in Butuan City cannot be used for big planes such as the A330.. sobrang liit lang ng runway sa butuan.

Well, we hope that once the Butuan Airport is being reconstructed completely, we can see A330's or A340's in Butuan. :) COOL!

jameslab8470

November 17th, 2006, 02:03 PM

Mayor Plaza assures 2nd Magsaysay Bridge to operate 1st quarter next year
by Suzette @ 12:00 pm. Filed under News

BUTUAN CITY– Mayor Democrito Plaza II assured the public that the newly-constructed 2nd Magsaysay Bridge will be operational by January or February next year.

The statement was made by Mayor Plaza during a press conference conducted recently.

Mayor Plaza also said that he is inviting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to lead the inauguration of the P3 billion-project which, according to Sec. Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) during his visit recently, is one of the biggest projects of the national government as embodied in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) of the Arroyo administration.

It was recalled that the construction of the bridge was conceptualized in 2004 and will be operational as scheduled. (PIA)

Hmmmmm.... I think gusto ni Plaza na madaliin ang inauguration sa @nd Bridge. You know why? Malapit na kasi election (kung may election man). And he wants to open it together with the President as early as 1st quarter. Kasi Baka hindi siya mananalo sa May elections. Mabigat kasi ang kalaban niya. Si Angel Amante.

Gipaninguha ni Mr. D. Plaza na maimplement ang second bridge. Tapos dili siya mag inaugurate? Luoy siya. hehe....

WawaY[625]

November 17th, 2006, 02:06 PM

how is the road connecting Butuan, CDO and Iligan? sana ma develop yang corridor na yan..for sure that will be among the formidable economic corridors of the Philippines

GO Mindanao!

jameslab8470

November 17th, 2006, 02:11 PM

;10517962']how is the road connecting Butuan, CDO and Iligan? sana ma develop yang corridor na yan..for sure that will be among the formidable economic corridors of the Philippines

GO Mindanao!

Are there reports pala on developing the road? The highway is okay. Pero kung grabe ang ulan, expect some zero feasibility sa may agusan - misamis boundary. And also some mud slides on some parts of the misamis oriental.

Dami na din mga bahay2x along the highway. I dont know if they are squatters. But travellers may feel safer kung madami bahay along the road, diba? hehe... We always travel from Butuan to Cagayan, minsan for grocery lang. Nothing new sa highway until now

FrancisXavier

November 17th, 2006, 02:12 PM

FrancisXavier

November 17th, 2006, 02:17 PM

Are there reports pala on developing the road? The highway is okay. Pero kung grabe ang ulan, expect some zero feasibility sa may agusan - misamis boundary. And also some mud slides on some parts of the misamis oriental.

Dami na din mga bahay2x along the highway. I dont know if they are squatters. But travellers may feel safer kung madami bahay along the road, diba? hehe... We always travel from Butuan to Cagayan, minsan for grocery lang. Nothing new sa highway until now

i hope MisOr and Agusan Norte do something to expand the highway from 2 to 4 lanes.. Since Butuan's, CdeO's, and Iligan's part are already 4 lanes. Wala lang.. To give this corridor a more urban look..

WawaY[625]

November 17th, 2006, 02:20 PM

galing nga ng setup dyan eh, 3 major cities within na magkalapit...dapat may plan to develop that area as a growth corridor in such a way na mag complement ang growth ng 3 cities (iligan for industries) CDO and Butuan, well kayo na bahal kung ano ang gusto niyo (lols)

FrancisXavier

November 17th, 2006, 02:22 PM

;10518078']galing nga ng setup dyan eh, 3 major cities within na magkalapit...dapat may plan to develop that area as a growth corridor in such a way na mag complement ang growth ng 3 cities (iligan for industries) CDO and Butuan, well kayo na bahal kung ano ang gusto niyo (lols)

yan na naman ba yung metro metro issue?LOL.. actually Iligan-CdeO corridor is called CIC.. The industry haven of the south..

WawaY[625]

November 17th, 2006, 02:51 PM

yan na naman ba yung metro metro issue?LOL.. actually Iligan-CdeO corridor is called CIC.. The industry haven of the south..

Metro Issue? lols tapos na po ang araw ng patay..matagal na patay ang thread na yun..:hahaha:

davaoeagle

November 17th, 2006, 08:34 PM

;10518078']galing nga ng setup dyan eh, 3 major cities within na magkalapit...dapat may plan to develop that area as a growth corridor in such a way na mag complement ang growth ng 3 cities (iligan for industries) CDO and Butuan, well kayo na bahal kung ano ang gusto niyo (lols)

Masyadong malayo ang Butuan from CDO and Iligan. Iligan and CDO are at least 50 or so kms apart from each other. CDo and Butuan are separated by at least more than a hundred KMs. Sobrang layo.

This is not about metro thingy issue eh!

g0Rs

November 17th, 2006, 08:38 PM

iligan-cdo is 86 kms. apart :)

davaoeagle

November 17th, 2006, 08:49 PM

Ha? Is that how long the stretch is? I thought I drove there in less than an hour.

paulkrps

November 18th, 2006, 01:12 AM

Ha? Is that how long the stretch is? I thought I drove there in less than an hour.

kaya bai, if you're travelling a 160 kph, tunga gyud sa oras. hehehe.

boybleauXx

November 18th, 2006, 02:43 AM

i hope MisOr and Agusan Norte do something to expand the highway from 2 to 4 lanes.. Since Butuan's, CdeO's, and Iligan's part are already 4 lanes. Wala lang.. To give this corridor a more urban look..

within city limits of Iligan, CDO and Butuan....the highways are of four lanes wide but as the highway enters provincial boundaries, they are down to 2 lanes wide lang.

I would opt for a railway for long term plan rather than making the lanes to 4 lanes wide.

It can be recalled that this highway connecting these cities is one of Mindanao's busiest and one of the country's most vital.

building a railroad would surely hasten the conglomeration of these cities

boybleauXx

November 18th, 2006, 02:46 AM

;10517254']wow! A330 ba ang gamit ng PAL sa Butuan?

A319-320 pa lang ang gigamit nila Way.

its only Davao, Gensan and Zamboanga (in Mindanao) that could handle such aircrafts for the time being, hopefully once Butuan airport is expanded to international standards (with that 1.3 Billion fund) we will be seeing a much busier Mindanaoan skies

davaoeagle

November 18th, 2006, 03:16 AM

kaya bai, if you're travelling a 160 kph, tunga gyud sa oras. hehehe.

Not sure though but those drives weren't that long..I got to Iligan so quick each time.:lol: :lol: :lol:

BOB-bXu

November 20th, 2006, 02:35 PM

Not sure though but those drives weren't that long..I got to Iligan so quick each time.:lol: :lol: :lol:

Butuan to Iligan (via CDO) takes about 5 hours and half by car. :)

BOB-bXu

November 20th, 2006, 02:50 PM

http://www.geocities.com/sa2explorer/pics/1pcs.jpg
The 1st LAKAG BUTUAN Urban Race

An 8 hour quest of retracing Butuan's historical spots pitting as many as 20 teams in a test of physical endurance and mental toughness. A familiarity with the city could come in handy, too. Think you're up to it? The objective is to figure out answers to clues involving local and national history, and trivia interspersed with lots of navigating that takes competitors to landmarks of the city's past.

Not just a ‘running race'
The fastest teams may not be the better ones at problem solving than running. Teams will cover anywhere for about 60 kilometers of walking, running, or with a limited access to public transportation at designated control points.

Expect spontaneity
Loads of action and fun! Rack your brains solving the problems that you will encounter. Most of the 8-hour race will be spent running-hiking to clue sites except at designated control points, where you can have access to public transportation.

Race against as much as 20 teams
Weave through rural and urban Butuan to historic sites to solve puzzles and go through obstacles. As much as 20 equally determined teams are gunning for the same prize.

The fee is P600 per team. Team composed of 3 persons. This includes an event patch, race number patch, race map and passport, souvenir shirt, post-event food and awards, as well as random prizes.

Teams are to provide their own uniform, trail food and water.

Race Overview
The object of Lakag Butuan is to visit twelve control points in correct order and cross the finish line. The first team back wins.

The only allowed methods are by foot or local public transportation. Any and all other modes of transportation, including, but not limited to, any form of private transportation- car, motorcycle, are strictly prohibited. Any team using a disallowed mode of transportation will be immediately and summarily disqualified.

Event Start
Race kicks off at exactly 8 am on December 9, 2006 . However, teams are required to check in on December 8, 2006 at exactly 4:00 pm for the checking of their safety equipment. Tents and dinner on the check-in day will be provided by the team.

Uniform
Teams must display their numbers, event patch and team logo on the front of their team shirts, and race number patches on their right shirtsleeves at all times. Failure to do so is a ground for disqualification. Event and race number patches will be provided upon registration . Teams are encouraged to wear matching apparels.

The 1 st Lakag Butuan Urban Race Gear
Here is a tentative list or required gear for The 1 st Lakag Butuan Urban Race. A final list will be posted no later than Race Day, so check back.

Gear check will be performed during the pre-race check in. Competitors will be required to produce and show proficient use of the required gear. There will be random gear checks during the race, and teams will be assigned a penalty for any missing required gear, and disqualified from the race for any missing safety gear. This is to help ensure the safety of all participants in the event.

This list may be periodically updated. It is your responsibility to check back here for any changes right up ‘til the race date.

Please note that you and your team will be required to carry both the required individual and team gear as appropriate for each section of the race. All team members must carry the required individual gear listed as Required for ALL Sections through all sections of the race. If you or your team gets lost or has an alternate piece of gear that you believe will fulfill the requirements of something listed here, please e-mail me at SA2explorer@ gmail.com and let us know. But please let us know well before the race checks in; otherwise, expect us to expect you to have the exact items we list here.

Team Equipment
(Required for ALL Sections)
• Pen or pencil [pens are recommended]
• Waterproof map case – Ziploc or similar bags will suffice [we recommend you bring two or three Ziploc bags]
• First Aid Kit [1 kit per team] *see note below
• Safety pins [4]
• Scissors [1]
• Needle [1]
• Butterfly bandages [4] • Gauze pads [4]
• Adhesive [1 roll] • Triangle bandage or bandana [1]

*Note: This is the required First Aid Kit gear list. Although we have trained medical staff available, your safety is your responsibility. You may be isolated from help for long periods of time and as such, you should be prepared to deal with any medical issues that your team may encounter.

Recommended Equipment
• Extra clothing
• Pen or pencil
• Cell phone [* for emergency use only (Smart and/or Globe Subscriber Only) ]
• Extra cash [for purchase of food/water on the race course]

Prohibited Equipment
• Radio and Any other communication devices aside from the specified equipment to be used only for emergency cases.
• Weapons.
• Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Banned substances-natural and or synthetic.
• Any mode of motorized/vehicular transportation not specifically authorized by the race staff.

We believe this required gear would help keep the race safe and fun for everyone involved.

RULES

The objective of the Rules and Regulation of the Lakag Butuan Urban Race is to set the framework for a competitive race conducted under a safe, fair and sportsmanlike manner. Ecological awareness and sensitivity to the local culture is also emphasized.

It should also be noted that it is impossible to make rules for all eventuality and that there will be specific verbal rules attached to certain stages of the race. It is the responsibility of the teams to take notes of these specific rules.

I. Organization:

• The Lakag Butuan Urban Race is organized by TAGABUKS Scout Mountaineers
• The organization is a firm advocate of environmental awareness and protection as well as respect for people and local cultures and may eliminate any team who deviates from these values.
• The organization has complete discretion in formulating and applying rules and penalties. The organization reserves the right to impose penalties for conduct in violation of the rules and / or contrary to the best interest of the race.
• The Lakag Butuan limits the number of participants/ teams for the race. The organization reserves the right to accept or deny entry of any competitor/teams.
• The registration fee is set at six hundred pesos (P 600.00) per team.
• Registration fee is non-refundable and inclusive of:
i. The general organization of the race
ii. Organization of the field
iii. Installation of safety measures
iv. Equipment for certain disciplines
v. Race kit which includes: Race Passport, Race Maps, Race Book, Event Logo patches, Team No...Patches, Souvenir Event Shirts.
vi. Prizes
vii. Hosted dinner during the awards and closing ceremonies.

• Registration constitute full acceptance of the organization rules and regulation.
• The competitor and their close relations declare having fully accepted the risk of this type of competition and agree not to pursue the organization should any accident occur during the course of the race.
• The organization agrees to meet an obligation concerning the measures to be taken to ensure safety as much as possible and call attention to the impossibility of agreeing to an obligation concerning the result.
• In case of Force Marjuere the race may be postponed or cancelled.
• The competitors accept without restriction that the organization can use all images filmed throughout the race for the promotion of the event.
• Rights to the concept, the regulations, the video images and film of the Lakag Butuan are protected by TAGABUKS Scout Mountaineers.
• The organization issues the accreditation required to cover the race to professional journalists.

II. Teams:

• All competitors must be at least 18 yrs. old or above.
• A team of three people of any gender with the organization.
• All teams must provide for their own uniforms.
• Competitors must constantly wear their team uniform, complete with their sponsors and organizational marking for the duration of the race.
• All teams will be given official equipment which must be used in lieu of their personal gear.
• Violation to any of these rules will be grounds for disqualification.

III. Safety Equipment:

• Each team member must have the following equipment in good working order at all times:
- Pocket knife
- Whistle
• Compulsory team equipment:
- First Aid kit
- One (1) cellular phone with local network (Smart or Globe)

IV. Other Race Equipment:

• Other equipment needed for each of the different disciplines will be provided for by the teams at the start of the race and must be in compliance with the specification indicated by the organization.
• The organization reserves the right to disapprove and/or withhold any equipment that could be detrimental to the safety of the competitor or provide unfair advantage to the team.
• There will be a mandatory equipment check before the start of the race, and random equipment checks along the course of the race.
• The organization reserves the right to randomly check any teams at any time and section of the race.
• The organization will provide a baggage check-in for excess gear, but will only be accessed by the teams after the race.
• Violation to any of these rules will be grounds for disqualification.

V. Prohibited Equipment:

• Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
• Weapons and the like
• Banned substances-natural and or synthetic
• Any other communication devices aside from the specified equipment to be used only for
emergency cases
• Violation to any of these rules will be grounds for disqualification

VI. Uniforms:

• Provided for should the team decide to change uniform during the race. Team Uniforms with organizational marking must be worn at all times for the entire duration of the race.
• One set of organizers patches are
• Violation to any of these rules will be grounds for disqualification.

Route Map
http://www.geocities.com/sa2explorer/pics/racemap.jpg

REGISTRATION PERIOD IS FROM NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 2, 2006 ONLY
For inquiries:

>> SAMUEL THOMAS RAYPON aka SA2
+639193693845
SA2explorer@ gmail.com
SA2explorer@ yahoo.com. ph

>> PATRICK RUIZ aka PARZ
+639212922720
(085) 225-7893
(085) 341-4834
parz008@yahoo. com

>> VINCENT TAMAYO aka BOTIKS
+639212833973

>> JOY ALEGADO aka BADJOY
+639197389730
badjoy1120@yahoo. com

>> JIM ALAAN aka mcgym
+639283342794
mcgym@ano.cjb. net

>> INAN RATILLA
+639279008450
emailinan@yahoo. com

>> Department of Tourism Caraga Region 13
Tel. No.: (085) 341-8413
Fex No.: (085)225-6040
dotr13@yahoo. com

boju

November 21st, 2006, 12:38 AM

Sasali ka ba BOB? Parang exciting panoorin 'to. Murag Xtra Challenge dati.

BOB-bXu

November 21st, 2006, 05:56 AM

boju, if time allows. will be joining in (to lose some pounds):)

its really fun like that of any race like xtra challenge.

this Urban Race in Butuan is the city counterpart of that previous Magellan Trek held last year which includes climbing Mt. Mayapay..

BOB-bXu

November 21st, 2006, 06:13 AM

http://www.geocities.com/sa2explorer/pics/racemap.jpg

I think the trails would include an Agusan River cruise ? (not sure yet)

paulkrps

November 22nd, 2006, 12:47 PM

^^ hey guys, can you point out where the new bridge is? salamat nga dako.

boybleauXx

November 22nd, 2006, 01:52 PM

the pencil marked circle is the new bridge paul
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/untitled.jpg?t=1164199843

boybleauXx

November 22nd, 2006, 01:57 PM

Expansion of Butuan Airport to start next year
by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (November 22) -- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga Regional Director Engr. Romeo Momo said the expansion of Bancasi Airport here in the city will start next year during a roundtable discussion with the members of the local press held here recently.

The assurance was made by Dir. Momo after local media asked if the project will push through after Sec. Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has presented the expansion of the city's airport as among the priority projects of Mindanao Super Region during a forum held here recently.

According to Dir. Momo, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seriously monitoring all the programs and projects that are embodied in the Mindanao Super Region as presented during her State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.

Dir. Momo also said, the President is looking forward for the immediate implementation of the project in the city especially that Butuan is the regional center of Caraga. "As the region's capital city, it is necessary that transportation facilities are available to improve marketing and trade that is essential in sustaining economic development of the region", Dir. Momo said.

Like the completion of the second Magsaysay Bridge, Momo also confirmed the statement of Mayor Democrito Plaza II in a press conference held recently at the City Hall that basing on their time table, the bridge will be serviceable by first semester next year.

With these developments, Dir. Momo is optimistic that the projects of the Mindanao Super Region can bring total development not only in the island of Mindanao but also to the entire country as well. (PIA-13) [top]

BOB-bXu

November 22nd, 2006, 02:20 PM

^^ ^^ MINDANAO's NEXT INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY^^ ^^

Expansion of Butuan Airport to start next year
by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (November 22) -- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga Regional Director Engr. Romeo Momo said the expansion of Bancasi Airport here in the city will start next year during a roundtable discussion with the members of the local press held here recently.

The assurance was made by Dir. Momo after local media asked if the project will push through after Sec. Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has presented the expansion of the city's airport as among the priority projects of Mindanao Super Region during a forum held here recently.

According to Dir. Momo, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seriously monitoring all the programs and projects that are embodied in the Mindanao Super Region as presented during her State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.

Dir. Momo also said, the President is looking forward for the immediate implementation of the project in the city especially that Butuan is the regional center of Caraga. "As the region's capital city, it is necessary that transportation facilities are available to improve marketing and trade that is essential in sustaining economic development of the region", Dir. Momo said.

Like the completion of the second Magsaysay Bridge, Momo also confirmed the statement of Mayor Democrito Plaza II in a press conference held recently at the City Hall that basing on their time table, the bridge will be serviceable by first semester next year.

With these developments, Dir. Momo is optimistic that the projects of the Mindanao Super Region can bring total development not only in the island of Mindanao but also to the entire country as well. (PIA-13) [top]

I guess Butuan is the most blessed city in terms of big time flagship projects with this 1.3 billion airport modernization and expansion.

hopefully that ambitious 7 Billion peso International Port of Magellan will finally take off from its planning stage:)

paulkrps

November 22nd, 2006, 02:23 PM

the pencil marked circle is the new bridge paul
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/untitled.jpg?t=1164199843

so in that case, will major traffic be diverted to that bridge boy? hope they can build a major highway (6lane or more, 2way) connecting to that bridge.

boybleauXx

November 23rd, 2006, 04:49 AM

BOB-bXu

November 23rd, 2006, 01:33 PM

that highway link to the bridge is almost complete. It is built under the fund of Japanese ODA. Once completed, this 13 Km long modern hi-way will contribute significantly in the reduction of congestion within the central portions of the city.

just how lucky are those property owners along this new highway..

once completed land prices along this new gateway will be soaring. not to mention the prospects of big commercial and residential developers coming in

BOB-bXu

November 23rd, 2006, 01:48 PM

I want an SM City rising along this new gateway

WawaY[625]

November 23rd, 2006, 02:08 PM

saan ba ang lot ng SM sa butuan?

BOB-bXu

November 23rd, 2006, 03:02 PM

way, there's no official note yet wheres the proposed SM. earlier this year there's this property in Ampayon, then another area 'offered' in Libertad..then a group of SM personnel went to the city hall to get the socio-economic profile from the city investments office..this was on the middle part of this year.

there's this unofficial report that SM Prime is eyeing a big property near that cable bridge along the new hi-way...

BOB-bXu

November 23rd, 2006, 03:45 PM

COMMENTARY:
BALLAN'GHAI: A Butuanon word?

By Vicente C. de Jesus / MindaNews / 7 March 2006

BUTUAN CITY -- If we go by Antonio Pigafetta's relation called Nancy-Libri- Phillipps- Beinecke- Yale codex, the word Ballanghai is Butuanon. The Nancy codex is one of three extant French presentation manuscripts; a fourth in Italian is what Filipinos know by way of the classic English translation of James Alexander Robertson which Dr. Martin Torodash has called "a paradigm of modern bibliographical and historical scholarship. "
The word is seen twice in the Mazzaua incident (Pp. 67 & 68 of R.A. Skelton's English edition) and for the 3rd and last time in Pigafetta's vocabulary of 143 Butuanon and Bisayan words, "Some Words of the Aforesaid Heathen Peoples." Pigafetta started compiling this glossary on 28 March 1521 in Mazaua. "There I wrote down," Pigafetta relates, "several things as they call them in their language. And when the king and the others saw me writing, and I told them their way of speaking, all were astonished." How do we know the language in Mazzaua is not Waray or Illonggo, Tagalog, Ilokano? Because Butuanon is the only language out of over 100 (400 in Dr. Jesus Peralta's reckoning) that has the word "masawa" meaning bright, brilliant light. The king of Mazzaua, Raia Siaiu, was the blood brother of the Raia Kolambu of Butuan.
In Ambrosiana, the name given by scholars to the Italian manuscript (here I will use Theodore J. Cachey Jr.'s edition based on Robertson's text), balanghai, lower case b one l, is written five times in the Mazaua episode, once at the battle of Mactan, once at the incident in Chipit (today's Quipit, northeast of Mindanao, east of Sindangan Bay, north coast of the Zamboanga Peninsula), and in the Butuanon/Bisayan vocabulary. (See pp. 35, 37, 41, 62, 66 and 68).
William Henry Scott asserts in his book, wrongly, "Pigafetta recorded the word both as balangai and as balanghai." (See page 4, Barangay). Chairman Ambeth Ocampo of National Historical Institute wrote an article in Inquirer (Monday, 08 Nov. 1999, p. 1) using Scott's balangai. Nowhere in the 4 codices (Ambrosiana, Nancy-Yale, Ms 5650, and Ms 24224) is balangai found.
Balanghai underwent sudden change because of the Spanish tongue's difficulty with the lang sound; it became barangay, exactly what we know today. Cachey says the Tagalog word is balangai and claims the Italian balanghai was derived from the Spanish barangay as asserted by a certain Battaglia in Geografia e storia della letteratura italiana (Torino: Einaudi, 1967, p. 27)—an inversion of fact and reality, making Pigafetta's balanghai later than the Spanish who wrote the corrupted word barangay later in the 17th century.

How is the word pronounced?
Balanghai remains were excavated in Butuan City in the '70s (4 were dug up, 4 more have been located but remain undisturbed in situ). The archaeological wonder* and the word exploded in the national imagination. Filipinos, unfamiliar with Italian, started pronouncing it ba-lang-hai, the h pointedly pronounced with an air of pedantry. This is wrong. H is silent in Italian, French, Spanish, and other Romance languages.
Scott says it should be pronounced "ba-la-ngay. " I disagree. It should be pronounced the same way we pronounce barangay, changing r with l. The French and Italian orthographic combination of gh was Pigafetta's way of signaling his European readers (who would be confronting the foreign word for the first time) it should be pronounced as hard g as in go, not soft g in gem.
It should be pronounced "ba-lang-gay. "
Going back to the subject line, Ballanghai: A Butuanon Word? Is it? Absolutely!
*Until Dr. Ricarte S. Javelosa had offered in 2001 his hypothesis on how the balanghais got buried in Butuan, no one could explain how these wooden boats got preserved. The boats were ubiquitous modes of travel all over the archipelago as the car is today. So it was mystifying it's only in Butuan where balanghai remains have been found. Javelosa has theorized a massive earthquake occurred near Butuan followed by tsunami which brought the boats inland, causing serious damage to the boat. The earthquake also cracked the earth, dammed Agusan River; roiling swelling waters upriver finally breached the "dam" burying the balanghais in mud and debris, creating an oxygen-free environment, killing wood-eating bacteria and stopping chemical processes that would bring about wood decay. Until the tsunami catastrophe of December 2004, Javelosa's leap of imagination seemed pure fantasy.

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Vicente C. de Jesus presented a paper on Mazaua, Magellan's Port, at the U.S. Library of Congress on October 13, 2002 before The Society for the History of Discoveries which counts among its members some of the world's leading minds in the history of navigation, cartography, exploration, geography, etc. Based on his hypothesis, the City of Butuan hired a team of geologists, archaeologists, and led by a geomorphologist to look for an isle at 9 degrees North latitude where the Genoese Pilot said Mazaua is located. In 2001 the team discovered at that location an isle now fused with mainland Butuan composed of the geo-political entities of barangays Pinamanculan and Bancasi. Mystifyingly these two words are Higaonon meaning, respectively, a place where a religious ritual is held and an altar where such ritual is celebrated. Many 16th century artifacts were dug up including a bronze pestle of European provenance but has yet to be dated and directly traced to Magellan. His paper is published on the Net in five different sites. De Jesus describes himself as a “proud Mindanawan and even prouder Butuanon.”)

paulkrps

November 24th, 2006, 12:14 AM

a nice read bob! i hope we have more article of this. thanks.

paulkrps

November 24th, 2006, 12:17 AM

BOB-bXu

November 25th, 2006, 03:32 PM

those properties along that new highway is a door to many opportunities for development as centrifugal urbanization spreads from the center. one may see new subdivisions for both commercial and industrial use.

boybleauXx

November 26th, 2006, 02:23 PM

DoT steps up tourism industry in Caraga
Friday, November 24 2006 @ 03:37 PM GMT

Tourism
The Department of Tourism (DoT) in Caraga region, along with the local government units (LGUs) will launch next month "WOW Pasko sa Caraga" and "Caraga Madyaw Karadiao" here and other parts in Northeastern Mindanao, a tourism official said on Friday.

Leticia Tan, regional director of the DOT , said the best big projects of Surigaonons, Agusanons and Butuanons will duplicate the success of the annual show staged in Intramuros, Manila for three consecutive years now.

The "WOW Pasko sa Caraga" will feature cultural performances, destinations, and products showcases of Caraga Region.

The show will have its grand opening on December 4, where a region-wide "Biyahe Tayo" Local Translation Dance Competition is set to be conducted.

On December 5, a competition on food technology will take place. This will also serve as the Butuan City Day where cultural presentations will be staged by local performers.

Agusan del Norte performers will take the center stage on December 6. Video clips presentation on the Magellan Trek will also be shown for public viewing.

Cultural presentation showcasing the province of Agusan del Sur is scheduled on December 7. Expected performers include the 2006 "Kahimunan" Festival grand champion from the municipality of Sibagat in Agusan del Sur.

Surigao City's "Bonok-bonok" Festival is expected to be featured on December 8, which is scheduled as Surigao City and Surigao del Norte Day, while Bislig City and Surigao del Sur will have their turn to show their cultural presentations on December 9.

To formally culminate the activity, a regional "Daygon" competition is set on December 10.

Tan said the activity is a chance for everybody to know more about Caraga Region that will deepen the awareness and appreciation to Caraga's local culture, history and tourism aspects.

The big project is fully supported by all local chief executives and various socio-civic groups at various provinces and cities in the region. (PNA)

boybleauXx

November 26th, 2006, 02:42 PM

http://www.mindanao.com/oct2006nmin/images/img_3420.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 27th, 2006, 04:47 PM

there is also this new and much bigger church in Sintos. The Immaculate Concepcion Church I guess is much bigger than that of Santo Nino Shrine

boybleauXx

November 28th, 2006, 01:25 AM

P1.3-B expansion of Butuan Airport starts next year
Monday, November 27 2006 @ 05:01 AM GMT

Economic boom in this region's capital city is seen as the government undertakes the construction of the P1.3 billion expansion of Butuan (Bancasi) Airport next year, a region's top public works and highways official on Monday said.

The city government, spearheaded by Regional Development Council (RDC) chair Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza and Mindanao Development Champion Jesus G. Dureza, Department of Public Works and Highways (DSWD) Regional Director Engr. Romeo Momo, said the expansion of Bancasi Airport here is definite.

He said the expansion of the Bancasi Airport in Butuan City is already laid out in the Mindanao Super Region of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's economic development program.

Momo made the assurance after Sec. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), presented to the city government the expansion of the city's airport as among the priority projects of Mindanao Super Region.

According to Momo, President Arroyo is seriously monitoring all the programs and projects that are embodied in the Mindanao Super Region as presented during her State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, this year.

The region's DPWH chief also said the President is looking forward to the immediate implementation of the project in the city especially in the case of Butuan which is the regional center of Northeastern Mindanao.

"As the region's capital city, it is necessary that transportation facilities are available to improve marketing and trade that is essential in sustaining the economic development of the region", said Momo.

Like the completion of the more than P1-billion second Magsaysay Bridge, Momo also confirmed that basing on their timetable, the state-of-the art 2nd Magsaysay Bridge will be serviceable by the first semester of 2007.

Momo is optimistic that the projects of the Mindanao Super Region can bring total development not only to the island of Mindanao but to the entire country as well.

"We are fast-tracking all infrastructure projects in the region, including the flood system in Butuan City," he said.

The Major Flood Control and Drainage Projects-Cluster II Head Director Philip F. Menez is closely supervising the multi-million peso flood system projects in Butuan City, and its target completion is also ahead of schedule which is early next year, it was learned. (PNA)

Christendom

November 28th, 2006, 11:38 AM

BUTUAN flights from Bacolod opened

Eleven connecting flights from Bacolod were opened by Cebu Pacific starting November 22, the airline company said.

Flights available are from Bacolod to Laoag for P799; to Dumaguete, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Davao (via Cebu) for P999; and to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog and Davao (via Manila) for P1,299.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific marketing director, said that by adding more connecting routes, they are giving passengers more travel options.

Passengers can also avail of a check-through baggage connection service from the origin station to the end-destination of the guest. source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2006/November/24/businessnews1.htm)

BOB-bXu

November 29th, 2006, 06:44 AM

Zyanz, thats totally cool !^^

Now its easy going back and forth between these cities

Finally my sabungero Tito will have easy way going to the city of smiles and back

also my neighborhood tindahan will finally reduce her Piaya price due to easy access

surely I must say, air travel will be a catalyst for the further growth betwen these cities

Katam-is gid ya :)

FrancisXavier

November 29th, 2006, 08:52 AM

manileño

November 29th, 2006, 09:33 AM

COMMENTARY:
BALLAN'GHAI: A Butuanon word?

Filipinos, unfamiliar with Italian, started pronouncing it ba-lang-hai, the h pointedly pronounced with an air of pedantry. This is wrong. H is silent in Italian, French, Spanish, and other Romance languages.

whoa! this is a very interesting piece of info! thanks for posting it Bob.
so now we know balanghai is the italian form of the Butuanon word pronounced as 'balanggay' (origin of Filipino barangay). and that they only started calling it balanghhhay after seeing it written in romanized form with the spelling Pigafetta used that didn't match the Filipino/Spanish orthography. haha. Italian 'balanghai' was then converted to Spanish 'balangay' which later on became 'barangay' to make it easier to pronounce for the peninsulares. :D good stuff!

For those who don't know Pigafetta's language, you pronounce the gh in Balanghai like how you do it with Spaghetti. :D

paulkrps

November 29th, 2006, 11:07 AM

thanks for the juan, oi, musta ka na? it's been awhile since.

WawaY[625]

November 29th, 2006, 11:28 AM

manileño

November 29th, 2006, 11:46 AM

thanks for the juan, oi, musta ka na? it's been awhile since.

ey paulkrps! yea long time no hear. eto nagpupuyat for this paper i need to turn in later. haha. nagpopost din to keep me entertained hehe. anyway, how's it goin in scarborough?

i just have to say im really impressed by this city. :)

paulkrps

November 29th, 2006, 11:52 AM

ey paulkrps! yea long time no hear. eto nagpupuyat for this paper i need to turn in later. haha. nagpopost din to keep me entertained hehe. anyway, how's it goin in scarborough?

i just have to say im really impressed by this city. :)

to all, sorry for the o.t.

juan, scarb is ok.

butuan is a memorable city for me. i have friends here especially those with edcads.

speaking of edcads, boy, do we have any article on this? salamat bai.

Sinjin P.

November 29th, 2006, 11:55 AM

boybleauXx

November 29th, 2006, 04:23 PM

but the thing is, it's via Manila.. it's just like taking a plane ride from Butuan to Manila..then transfer to another aircraft w/c is bound to Bacolod.
It's just you wouldnt need to transfer plane to plane in this promo. The fare is reasonable though..

that's correct Francis, the good about it is that you dont have keep on changing planes making a connecting flight....all at a budget cost

boybleauXx

November 29th, 2006, 04:26 PM

to all, sorry for the o.t.

juan, scarb is ok.

butuan is a memorable city for me. i have friends here especially those with edcads.

speaking of edcads, boy, do we have any article on this? salamat bai.

I will try looking for one Paul...EDCADS was one of the active NGOs involved in the propagation of the Butuan Arts.

Today, the city has formed the Butuan Arts Council composed of government and NGOs whose tasked is the preserveration of the indigenous ancient Butuanon culture

boybleauXx

November 29th, 2006, 04:28 PM

paulkrps

November 29th, 2006, 04:33 PM

I will try looking for one Paul...EDCADS was one of the active NGOs involved in the propagation of the Butuan Arts.

Today, the city has formed the Butuan Arts Council composed of government and NGOs whose tasked is the preserveration of the indigenous ancient Butuanon culture

nice to hear that boy. looking forward to the edcads article if any.

boybleauXx

November 29th, 2006, 04:38 PM

DOT, LGUs launch WOW 'Pasko sa Caraga' in December
Sunday, November 26 2006 @ 02:41 PM GMT

Tourism
The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Caraga region, along with the local government units (LGUs), will launch WOW "Pasko sa Caraga" and "Caraga Madyaw Karadiao" project next month in this region's capital city and other parts in Northeastern Mindanao, a tourism official said..

The best big projects of Surigaonons, Agusanons and Butuanons will duplicate the success of the annual show which is staged in Intramuros, Manila for three consecutive years, the tourism official said.

The DOT in Northeastern Mindanao will spearhead a competition intended to entertain Caraganons this Yuletide Season, especially on Christmas.

The "WOW Pasko sa Caraga" will feature cultural performances, destinations, and product showcases of Caraga Region.

The show will have its grand opening on December 4 where a region-wide "Biyahe Tayo" Local Translation Dance Competition is set to be conducted.

On December 5, a competition on food technology will take place. This will also serve as the Butuan City Day where cultural presentations will be staged by the city's performers.

Agusan del Norte performers will take the center stage on December 6. Video clips presentation on the Magellan Trek will be also shown for public viewing.

Cultural presentation showcasing the province of Agusan del Sur is scheduled on December 7. Expected performers include the 2006 "Kahimunan" Festival grand champion coming from the municipality of Sibagat in Agusan del Sur.

Surigao City's "Bonok-bonok" Festival is expected to be featured on December 8 which is scheduled as Surigao City and Surigao del Norte Day, while Bislig City and Surigao del Sur will have their turn to show their cultural presentations on December 9.

To formally culminate the activity, a regional "Daygon" competition is set on December 10.

Leticia Tan, regional director of the DOT in Northeastern Mindanao, said the activity is a chance for everybody to know more about Caraga Region that will deepen the awareness and appreciation to Caraga's local culture, history and tourism aspects.

The big project is being fully supported by all local chief executives and various socio-civic groups at various provinces and cities in the region. (PNA)

boybleauXx

November 30th, 2006, 09:14 PM

Butuan ~ Symbols and Icons through the Ages

One of the islands earliest Kingdoms with realms extending from the present Surigao Provinces to as interior as the present Bukidnon and Misamis provinces.....Butuan in the 9th to 10th Century AD is a thriving trade center for goods....a conduit from Java and Sumatran Kingdoms to Champa and China....relics of Thai, Khmer and Hindu origins unearthed are strong evidences of heavy trade with other Asiatic kingdoms. By year 1000 AD Butuan sent its first trade mission to the Chinese Imperial court to gain recognition as a direct trade partner of China.
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL598/4010615/8325506/111622955.jpg

http://www.pinoy-newmexico.com/sitebuilder/images/Butuan-235x365.jpg

The 1950's saw a booming city with the burgeoning logging industry....from a sleepy post war town to a city of migrants growing overnight into a bustling city...
http://www.greatestcities.com/9660pic/677/CP6677.jpg/Magsaysay_Bridge-BUTUAN.jpg
Magsaysay Bridge

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL598/4010615/8325506/116440286.jpg

The 1990's to early 2000 saw a resurging city from the slumber of its logging industry to a diversion of its agro economy to agr-industrial economy. The city became the regional capital of a young region..
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL598/4010615/8325506/116438297.jpg

The mid 2000s saw a city aggressive for change...a city leapfrogging to the future....marked by monumental flagship infrastructures in the hope of catapulting this ancient kingdom's reign to its olden heydays....

The Palafox designed Cultural and Historical Park and Boardwalk....part of a total urban renewal project of the city
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1243/4295337/9035609/128097270.jpg

2nd Magsaysay Bridge (Cable-stayed) for completion first quarter 2008
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B3.jpg

Kaiser

December 3rd, 2006, 07:18 AM

ikra

December 3rd, 2006, 11:15 AM

i like the infra projects in butuan

FrancisXavier

December 3rd, 2006, 12:33 PM

uhu, especially the cable stayed bridge..

BOB-bXu

December 3rd, 2006, 04:51 PM

i like the infra projects in butuan

these projects are within the framework of the Mindanao Super Region Plan..

boybleauXx

December 4th, 2006, 04:25 PM

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/RegionalMuseum.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/Regionalmuseumpond3.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/Regionalmuseumbridge.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/RegionalMuseummarkings.jpg

FrancisXavier

December 4th, 2006, 04:26 PM

WOW..The lagoon..

BOB-bXu

December 4th, 2006, 04:59 PM

maayo tana naay mga floating restaurant sa lagoon ba murag pareha dinha sa kagayan. lami mag date dire unya mag labing labing dayon

ikra

December 4th, 2006, 05:39 PM

hahahahaha na mao ra man diayng rasuna para mag labing labing

aranetacoliseum

December 4th, 2006, 07:22 PM

KAKAINGGIT NMN YANG cable-stayed bridge sa BUTUAN.....sana magkaroon ng ganito sa MANILA...........

alvie1000

December 6th, 2006, 02:30 AM

whats is the good spot to visit butuan city,,anyone can till me

BOB-bXu

December 6th, 2006, 03:23 AM

Insurance industry players eye Butuan for expansion
by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (5 December) -- Mindanao is being eyed by key players of the insurance industry for its expansion program since the island is still not being fully tapped.

Vixtor M. Espanol, senior vice president and general manager, Agency Distribution and Marketing, Pru Like U.K. in a press conference said they hope to establish their presence in General Santos City, Butuan, Zamboanga and Bukidnon by early 2007.

Mindanao, he said only contributes 10 percent of their market share where the major size of 45 percent is shared by Metro Manila and Cebu with 25 percent.

But he said they could only establish and operate in the area where they could find the right people as their partner.

He admitted however that the prospect of the industry remains flat as the growth remains at single digit.

He attributed this to the people's perception associating insurance with the pre-need plans which the lately suffered a lot of issues.

The Pru Life U.K. had opened a new branch thru the Borromeo Insurance Agency along Juna Avenue, Matina, Davao City.

Paul Borromeo, president of the Borromeo Insurance Agency said that their presence in Davao City is to evangelize as well as professionalize the industry.

He said they wanted to assure their clients that they get what is expected of the company as well as listen and work for the kind of coverage that their clients want.

He said the Davao agency is currently serving 4,000 clients with over P4 billion of fund assurance.

Pru Life U.K.is an indirect subsidiary of financial services grant, Prudential pic that has an extensive network of life insurance and mutual funds operation around the world. It is active in the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, United States (US) and 12 other Asian countries.

Globally Prudential pic has 21 million customers and approximately 20,000 employees and has US$405 billion of funds under management as of December 31, 2005.

He said their anchor product is the investment scheme. It could be similar to bank assurance except that the investment product is implemented by the insurance company.

He said there is a need for an extensive marketing for the public to really understand the importance of being covered by insurance.

Getting an insurance coverage does not only mean preparing for death but while the person is living, retiring from work or even investing.

In the Philippine, he said only five percent of the population is covered compared to Japan with 105 percent meaning many of the nationals maintain double policy, Singapore has 85 to 90 percent, Germany, close to 90 percent while USA about 75 percent.

"Filipinos has a long way to go and strong advocacy could help them become aware and knowledgeable," he said. (PIA XI)

BOB-bXu

December 7th, 2006, 05:15 AM

Communicator's network tackles peace and dev't

-- Communicating peace and development in Mindanao has woven together some 200 information officers from the national line agencies and local government units in Mindanao during the 7th Mindanao Communicators' Congress recently held in Butuan City.

The theme served as the focus of discussions which included an "Update on the GRP Peace Talks in Mindanao", "Promoting Peace and Development in Mindanao: The AusAID Experience", "Empowering the Evacuees through the ACT for Peace in Mindanao", "Economic Development of Peace Communities through the Growth with Equity in Mindanao."

A photo exhibit featuring noteworthy accomplishments of various officials development assistance (ODA) agencies bolstered the importance of working for and communicating peace in Mindanao.

The MINDACOMNET Congress also recognized the relevance of European Union's assistance in Mindanao foremost is the Upland Development Programme (UDP)with its efforts and gains in transforming lives of upland farmers in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Director General Conrado Limcaoco Jr of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) noted the theme, "Communicating Peace and Development" as timely and relevant in relation to Presidential Proclamation 127, calling for the annual observance of the "Mindanao Week of Peace" from the last Thursday of November to the first Wednesday of December.

In line with the theme, he challenged MINDACOMNET to "implement a sustainable communications project linking all chapters, providing timely and relevant information centered on the 10 point development agenda of government as envisioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

He also lauded the success of MINDACOMNET officers in sustaining the participation and bonding among information officers in Mindanao.

"Your attendance to a gathering like this today clearly manifests the unity of Mindanao communicators in pursuing the national agenda for peace and development in Mindanao," he said.

MINDACOMNET has been pursuing programs and activities designed to communicate national and local government initiatives across the island.

Under the auspices of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO), it was created in 1999 with the primary aim of effecting integrated communications program in Mindanao.

"With the need to intensify communications and advocacy efforts of various peace and development imperatives for Mindanao, MINDACOMNET is expected to carry out sustained information, education and communication as well as media-related activities in collaboration with member-information officers of various agencies," Dir.Gen. Limcaoco said.

The Congress was also in line with Administrative Order 127 dated August 16, 2005 which calls on "All national government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and other government corporate entities" to undertake increased information dissemination campaign "to bring government closer to the people."

It also directs LGUs to adopt similar measures to disseminate information regarding their policies, programs and objectives, including their accomplishments and performance." (PIA/jda)

ryanr

December 7th, 2006, 06:39 AM

BUTUAN 2nd CABLE-STAYED STEEL BRIDGE
Soon to be one of its kind with one of the world's longest roadspan....once fully completed

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/th_B1.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B3.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/B2.jpg

all photos courtesy of mamistahay of vizmin.com

:eek: Sweet! I'm glad to see a cable-stayed bridge in Mindanao.:) The government should keep investing more on infrastructure, especially in Mindanao.

So where exactly is this bridge located? Could someone sketch it in Google Earth?

FrancisXavier

December 7th, 2006, 09:21 AM

The best bridge to be in PI

_zner_

December 7th, 2006, 11:28 AM

the bridge is so awesome.. another landmark in Mindanao. :okay:

BOB-bXu

December 7th, 2006, 04:09 PM

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/caragapiczbg.jpg

BOB-bXu

December 7th, 2006, 04:10 PM

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6527/2579/1600/caraga%20spot.jpg

BOB-bXu

December 7th, 2006, 04:56 PM

http://otismall.philcom.ph/images/otisbanner.jpg

The Sidewalk

The Sidewalk is the newest hotspot for people with active lifestyles! Conveniently situated in the Otis Mall Complex, this strip of stalls will house coffee shops, bars and dinning places for you to choose from.

At Night, The Sidewalk will come alive as the shops extend their perimeters and will include the wide parking spaces to accommodate more tables for an open-air evening conversation over coffee and drinks and a selection of food choices!

Lease a space now and be part of The Sidewalk!

BOB-bXu

December 8th, 2006, 05:23 AM

http://www.bcwd.gov.ph/sample/website/slopemap.jpg

BOB-bXu

December 8th, 2006, 05:25 AM

http://mindanao.com/photoblog/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/img_3419.jpg

FrancisXavier

December 8th, 2006, 10:00 PM

Saturday, December 09, 2006
Mindanao road projects to start soon: DPWH

HEAVY equipments of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are expected to start their massive earth-moving activities by March 2007 on a 117.30-kilometer coastal road, which will connect the towns of Sibuco, Siraway, Siocon, Baliguian and Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte.

When completed in October 2009, this P1.326-B project is seen to improve the peace and order situation in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

Having completed the detailed engineering design and the procurement for civil works in September 2006, the construction of the P2.065-B Awang-Upi-Lebak road in Maguindanao province is expected to start in April 2007 and is due for completion in November 2009.

To provide accessibility between the urban and rural centers of Dinagat Island, in Surigao del Norte, the national government will improve its 15-kilometer road for P100-M. Construction is expected to start in April 2007 because it is due for completion in seven months.

The construction of a section (out of the 5 sections) of the P6.278-B Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, which spans from Bacuag, Surigao del Norte to Mati, Davao Oriental, bisecting Surigao del Sur had started in October 2004. This project, which is 60 percent funded by the World Bank and the rest by the government of the Philippines, is due for completion in August 2010.

In fact, the Manay-Mati (Davao Oriental) section has already recorded a physical accomplishment of 59.30 percent. Since engineering preparations are underway, full-blast operations in all the four other sections are expected to start in the early part of 2007.

Seen to propel the development of tourism and provide a wider market for marine agriculture products in the Zamboanga peninsula, the 10.8-kilometer Dapitan City-Dakak road shall be widened at a cost of P210 million out of domestic funds. Civil works are expected to start in April 2007 and completed sometime in August 2009.

In a bid to cut travel time between Tubod, Lanao del Norte and Tangub City by 2 hours and 30 minutes, the Arroyo administration is now trying to fund the P2.7 billion 2-kilometer bridge across Panguil Bay. This project shall be implemented through public-private partnership.

To increase Northern Mindanao's capabilities on job generation, economic opportunities, socio-political stability and to ensure a better quality of life for its denizens, the construction of the P5.386-B Laguindingan Airport Development Project in Misamis Oriental has been scheduled to commence in mid-May 2007.

This project would enable the regional to handle international flights by wide-bodied aircrafts. Financed with a combined National Government and Official Development Assistance (ODA) fund, a new runway of about 2.1 kilometers long and 45 meters wide shall be built along with a state-of-the-art passenger terminal building that could cater to 1.2 million passengers annually.

Since land acquisition is at least 94 percent completed, the contract for the construction of an access road to the project site is to be awarded anytime within the current month. Also within the current month, main civil works procurement is expected to commence.

At an estimated cost of P115 million, some shoreline protection structures shall be built in the Dipolog City Airport starting in the current month. At the same time, fresh asphalt shall be over-laid on its widened 814-meter runway. This project shall be completed in May 2007.

Similar airport improvement projects shall also be carried in the cities of Pagadian, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Ozamis and Cagayan de Oro. The total cost of which would amount to some P1.35-B.

These projects are seen to increase the level of trade, tourism and investments within the sub-regional economic growth area (BIMP-Eaga). Some of airports will be able to improve their capabilities to handle night and extreme weather landings.

Physical improvements to be done by midyear 2007 at the seaport of Cagayan de Oro City have also been allocated some P181-M. Source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/12/09/bus/mindanao.road.projects.to.start.soon.dpwh.html)

I am confused with the press releases.. The 1.35B expansion project includes Pagadian, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Ozamis, Cagayan de Oro and butuan.

But another article says Butuan airport's expansion costs P1.35B.
P1.3-B expansion of Butuan Airport starts next year
Monday, November 27 2006 @ 05:01 AM GMT

Economic boom in this region's capital city is seen as the government undertakes the construction of the P1.3 billion expansion of Butuan (Bancasi) Airport next year, a region's top public works and highways official on Monday said.

The city government, spearheaded by Regional Development Council (RDC) chair Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza and Mindanao Development Champion Jesus G. Dureza, Department of Public Works and Highways (DSWD) Regional Director Engr. Romeo Momo, said the expansion of Bancasi Airport here is definite.

He said the expansion of the Bancasi Airport in Butuan City is already laid out in the Mindanao Super Region of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's economic development program.

Momo made the assurance after Sec. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), presented to the city government the expansion of the city's airport as among the priority projects of Mindanao Super Region.

According to Momo, President Arroyo is seriously monitoring all the programs and projects that are embodied in the Mindanao Super Region as presented during her State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, this year.

The region's DPWH chief also said the President is looking forward to the immediate implementation of the project in the city especially in the case of Butuan which is the regional center of Northeastern Mindanao.

"As the region's capital city, it is necessary that transportation facilities are available to improve marketing and trade that is essential in sustaining the economic development of the region", said Momo.

Like the completion of the more than P1-billion second Magsaysay Bridge, Momo also confirmed that basing on their timetable, the state-of-the art 2nd Magsaysay Bridge will be serviceable by the first semester of 2007.

Momo is optimistic that the projects of the Mindanao Super Region can bring total development not only to the island of Mindanao but to the entire country as well.

"We are fast-tracking all infrastructure projects in the region, including the flood system in Butuan City," he said.

The Major Flood Control and Drainage Projects-Cluster II Head Director Philip F. Menez is closely supervising the multi-million peso flood system projects in Butuan City, and its target completion is also ahead of schedule which is early next year, it was learned. (PNA)

boybleauXx

December 8th, 2006, 11:46 PM

Francis:

The first post was inaccurate. The source referred to as projects to start next year which included the 6.2 Billion SUDOPARIM or the Surigao Davao Pacific Rim Highway.....and the Butuan Airport Expansion costing 1.3 Billion...

MEDCO...who is the authority in the outlining of these projects stated the same amount for the Butuan Airport Expansion of 1.3 Billion and so was the statements released by Sec. Dureza during his visit at the Butuan leg of the Mindanao Super Region Conference held recently...

Butuan Airport Expansion Project officilally costs 1.3 Billion pesos

BOB-bXu

December 9th, 2006, 03:40 AM

P29.1B brings rosy prospects for Mindanao Super Region
Thursday, December 07 2006 @ 11:30 AM GMT

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vision to make Mindanao more developed, productive, prosperous and progressive sees bright prospects as Php 29.1 billion various projects are in full blast in year 2007, a top government official on Thursday said.

Mindanao Development Champion Jesus G. Dureza said that the 6 Regional Development Councils (RDC's), including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) already passed their various projects and programs, particularly on livelihood, employment and economic generations.

"The Mindanao Super Region will play a vital role in ensuring that, despite the pervading issues and challenges, efforts to immediately address Mindanao's development imperatives are accelerated," Secretary Dureza stressed.

He said that multi-billion infrastructures are already in place, and will be in full-blast in year 2007.

The Mindanao Development Champion and Presidential Adviser on Peace process cited some of these projects, such as the Php 5.8 billion Surigao-Davao Coastal Road and the Php 1.3 billion Expansion of Butuan Airport.

Meanwhile, business will be good in 2007 because banana, which ranked the highest in yield among agricultural crops, will remain a major crop in Southern Mindanao region.

Atty. Bienvenido Cariaga, president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) in the southern island said that at least 5,000 hectares of bananas in Davao areas alone will remain an economic drawer.

He said that the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry team headed by former Ambassador Donald Dee have also noted this sterling development during the group's recent visit in Southern Mindanao.

Compared to rice and corn, the net yield of growing exportable bananas annually is at P200,000 per hectares. Crops, like rice and corn, could only give farmers a yearly income of P50,000, he said.

"As of now there is no other farm produce that would yield that much except for banana," he said.

Citing a data from the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of which he is a member, Cariaga said that in a pie chart representing agricultural production, banana claims 65% while the remaining 35% is shared by other crops like coconut, rice, corn, etc.

The same RTWPB data also shows that coconuts comes second best to banana, but the latter is way below, saying "malayo masyado ang gap between the two".

Cariaga also stressed that there is much improvement in the business climate this year.

He attributed this to the remarkably improved business climate, as shown by the fact that more businessmen join prestigious organizations.

He noted that when they (the businessmen) join (the civic groups) they show the capacity to spend, a strong indication that there is more money.

"And when they participate then okay ang economy," he added. (PNA)

BOB-bXu

December 9th, 2006, 07:11 AM

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h121/mamistahay/DSC00398.jpg

BOB-bXu

December 9th, 2006, 10:46 AM

http://www.medco.gov.ph/medcoweb/images/map/minadmreg.jpg

Kaiser

December 9th, 2006, 02:31 PM

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/deejayefem/caragapiczbg.jpg

nice!

FrancisXavier

December 9th, 2006, 03:15 PM

BOB-bXu

December 10th, 2006, 07:56 AM

let's monitor these big projects going on within and around our cities.

Butuan Airport Expansion would I guess mean additional length and width of its runway with provisions for night landing facilities and construction of a taxiway.

The cost is not that big because they dont need to purchase land or right of way issues.

they will also build a new terminal and update is security and install x-ray facilities. last year ATO has installed new VOR (Very High Omnirage Radio systems) for better guidance to approaching and departing aircrafts.

FrancisXavier

December 10th, 2006, 08:01 AM

in short, they're upgrading it to international standards..:)

BOB-bXu

December 10th, 2006, 08:10 AM

in short, they're upgrading it to international standards..:)

correct ka dyan Lew :)

**** update pod be regarding sa airport nato dinha sa Laguindingan..

when na mag start ang construction? I think halos dunganon sa gobyerno pag construct sa mga airports nato dire para dramatic ang effect b4 the elections he he he

Once these airports are built, mulambo gyud ang land transport systems.considering the travel you need to go to Laguindingan at any point from either Iligan or Cagayan. agree ka Lew?

FrancisXavier

December 10th, 2006, 08:25 AM

correct ka dyan Lew :)

**** update pod be regarding sa airport nato dinha sa Laguindingan..

when na mag start ang construction? I think halos dunganon sa gobyerno pag construct sa mga airports nato dire para dramatic ang effect b4 the elections he he he

Once these airports are built, mulambo gyud ang land transport systems.considering the travel you need to go to Laguindingan at any point from either Iligan or Cagayan. agree ka Lew?

Agree...Pero kulba sad atong metro sa taxi ani kay hastang layua..:lol:

regarding the update..Got really no idea.. But i've read somewhere that the bidding to construct the access road is done, and construction starts this january.. Horizontal works on airport proper will be on july, and vertical works on july of 2008....Should everything goes as scheduled.

But we dont know....it might face another delay.

I hope that expansion project there does not emulate LIA's fate.. :lol:
it's really pissing off.

BOB-bXu

December 10th, 2006, 08:34 AM

Agree...Pero kulba sad atong metro sa taxi ani kay hastang layua..:lol:

regarding the update..Got really no idea.. But i've read somewhere that the bidding to construct the access road is done, and construction starts this january.. Horizontal works on airport proper will be on july, and vertical works on july of 2008....Should everything goes as scheduled.

But we dont know....it might face another delay.

I hope that expansion project there does not emulate LIA's fate.. :lol:
it's really pissing off.

actually the expansion of Butuan's Bancasi Airport was announced by the President 2 years ago pa. Its been in the drawing boards for five years (am not sure)..murag dugay na gyud ni na project...and its about time they need to fulfill and complete this project.

regarding the costs of travel from the LIA...am sure they will have dedicated buses from the center going to the airport.

daghan na project ang na shelved..kining Railway Phase One from Iligan-Cagayan padulong dire Butuan...wala pa gyud na mention sa Mindanao Super Region Plan..ambot kung nakalimtan na ba ni nila:ohno:

FrancisXavier

December 10th, 2006, 08:39 AM

actually the expansion of Butuan's Bancasi Airport was announced by the President 2 years ago pa. Its been in the drawing boards for five years (am not sure)..murag dugay na gyud ni na project...and its about time they need to fulfill and complete this project.

regarding the costs of travel from the LIA...am sure they will have dedicated buses from the center going to the airport.

daghan na project ang na shelved..kining Railway Phase One from Iligan-Cagayan padulong dire Butuan...wala pa gyud na mention sa Mindanao Super Region Plan..ambot kung nakalimtan na ba ni nila:ohno:

dili pa tingali shelved oi..
Grabe na ko ka excited sa una kay gi report sa TVPatrol NorMin na mag contract signing na daw between kingdom of spain and RP para aning MRS Phase1 on Dec12, 2005.. Nah, nag Dec10,2006 na lang wa man gihapon..

Hmmmm...besides, i dont think naay pang counterpart ang gobyerno aning project.. Maglisod na man galig pangita ug 900M para sa LIA, kini pa kaha..

Im giving its realization another 10 years... Good enough..

jameslab8470

December 10th, 2006, 12:49 PM

jameslab8470

December 10th, 2006, 12:54 PM

Otis Mall - the sidewalk.. this project is cool! naghinay2x naman sad sugod ang night life sa butuan....

I wonder ngano ang otis, di gihapon kaayo mukita sa ila mga establishments.... gamay ra kaayo tao sa mall. ang sinehan, panagsa ra nay tao... kung naa man, lain ang buhaton... kasulay ko sa sinehan nila once... last december 2006. yung MMFF. pagsulod nako, gamay ra kaayo tao.. i thought daghan kay december man and daghan kaayo tao gaisano... daghan au lamok... pero ang sound system, okay.. and projector, okay... pag gawas nako, gipangutana ko sa babae (yung tig kuha sa tiket) "Sir, tapos na?" pati ang guard ug janitor, nangutana nako.. hehe... ngano nangutana man sila? mag kabalo man unta sila dapat when mahuman ang movie.. hehe...

About sa "the sidewalk"...dapat nindot and pagplano nila.... unta nay bo's coffe club.... at least....

lami ba ang coffee shop duol sa aneco???

BOB-bXu

December 11th, 2006, 04:23 AM

it's good to hear about the expansion of the Airport. Regarding the taxiway, i think, it's not yet time to built a taxiway in Butuan. Butuan is still a small city... Yung davao airport nga eh, wala pa rin taxiway, diba? the important thing lang is that the runway must be extended, overlay it with asphalt. and also the terminal... medium sized terminal would be good, at least two gates. ok na yan... tapos may aerobridges. cool!...

Anyway, does anyone still remember about the access road project sa airport? yung donationg sa fil shinese community sa butuan? it was years ago.. i wonder why d parin nila sinimulan...

in my opinion there should be a taxiway that should be put inplace as early as now. you should see the up trend of inbound and outbound passenger and cargo traffic in recent years. why not build the taxiway now when the costs of building materials, labor, and technology is still within reach.? rather than building it later when it is projected that the costs will probably double or triple. Kakailanganin lang naman in the near future, why not build it now?

Infrastructures has no benchmarks. Thats that mean we are wrong in building a modern cable stayed bridge today just becoz even the big city like Manila does not have one yet? (just a metaphor)

Gensan built an international standard airport, irregardless of whether bigger cities like Iloilo or Bacolod does not have one yet AT that time.

jameslab8470

December 11th, 2006, 10:42 AM

Sa bagay.....:)

jameslab8470

December 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM

Lili

December 12th, 2006, 03:42 AM

So many places to explore in beautiful Philippines!

BOB-bXu

December 12th, 2006, 04:21 AM

May question ako... di pa ako nakauwi ng Butuan, But someone told me that nagsara na yung old building part ng Otis Mall. Is it true? may nakalagay na daw kasi ng Space for Rent... May nakabili daw sa building na yun. A businessman from Surigao. Villar daw ang apeyido nya. But he's not related to a politician. I've heard it from my friend from BIR jan sa Butuan. So the "sidewalk" will not push through??

its wide open. I dont trust rumors, they are products of malice, prejudice and bias.

Last year they say the Ketkais are eyeing a share of Otis Mall..then early this year the Altura's Group of Tagbilaran...then that humor ..Villar?

I dont know why so many humors or perhaps if they are true why many groups would want to have a stake of Otis Mall Complex.

What would be next?

BOB-bXu

December 12th, 2006, 12:25 PM

:(
COMELEC TECH ADVISORY BODY ADMITS
‘Little time for poll automation’

Abalos also says ‘no budget’

By Erwin Oliva
INQ7.net
Last updated 02:06pm (Mla time) 12/12/2006

WITH five months remaining to implement poll automation in highly-urbanized areas, the technical advisory committee to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will need a complete system that requires little tweaking.

“We need to buy a complete system wherein Comelec will only need to do acceptance testing and training. We can't build from scratch,“ Ramon Sales, chairman of the advisory committee and of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).

The CICT chairs the committee, which has, as members, the Comelec, Department of Science and Technology, University of the Philippines, Information Technology Foundation of the Philippines and Philippine Computer Society.

Comelec convened the technical committee to discuss plans to implement automation in six cities and six provinces.

These areas include Mandaluyong, Marikina, Bacolod, Mandaue, Aklan, Siquijor, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, Iligan, General Santos, Zamboanga, and Butuan.

Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos told INQ7.net that the poll body has enough time to execute the partial automation. But at the end of the meeting, he also admitted there “is no budget” for the planned partial automation and that he would have to “make representations to amend the automated election bill.”

He added that, based on their plans, the elections should be fully automated by 2010.

Asked to comment on the ongoing talks on the constitutional convention, Abalos said he does not want to deal with “something that's in the air.”

BOB-bXu

December 12th, 2006, 07:22 PM

New Wing of Butuan Doctors' Hospital Medical Arts Building
http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/s4ibLsoPe1m7/__sr_/c1a6.jpg?tkn=ph4MwfFBT9Wwv4m5&saveas=Butuan+Doctors+today+from+Benjie+T.+Lasam+P3010011

BOB-bXu

December 13th, 2006, 12:55 AM

Agusan Riverine Port
http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/s4ibLsoPe1m7/__sr_/7339.jpg?tkn=phQC1fFB_goL5pQk&saveas=Butuan+Port+Today+from+Benjie+L
This small facility along the river serve as jump off point to and from riverine barangays as well as the municipality of Magallanes.

jameslab8470

December 13th, 2006, 02:48 AM

its wide open. I dont trust rumors, they are products of malice, prejudice and bias.

Last year they say the Ketkais are eyeing a share of Otis Mall..then early this year the Altura's Group of Tagbilaran...then that humor ..Villar?

I dont know why so many humors or perhaps if they are true why many groups would want to have a stake of Otis Mall Complex.

What would be next?

** rumors **

BOB-bXu

December 13th, 2006, 05:10 AM

** rumors **

humorous rumors :)

BOB-bXu

December 14th, 2006, 02:26 AM

11 days to go before Christmas !

boybleauXx

December 15th, 2006, 06:19 PM

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6527/2579/400/849950/Regional%20museum%20bridge.jpg
Butuan City Regional Museum
by deejayfm

This museum is the repository of historical and cultural materials and artifacts that proves Butuan's prehistoric existence and rich cultural heritage since 6th AD...as what the history say...in the beginning there was no Philippines... but there was Butuan.

According to the Chinese Soong Shi (history), Butuan already established trading relations in the kingdom of Champa (now known as South Vietnam) in the early 10th AD, and Sri Vijayan Empire in the 8th - 14th AD and Madjapahit Empire in the 13th-15th AD of Indonesia. Fascinating, too, is the knowledge that the first Philippine tribute mission to China came from Butuan in March 1001, 50 years earlier than Manila.

The discovery of 9 butuan boats or known as balanghai boats boosted Butuan as the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines during the prehistoric times, particularly in the 11th AD. Some of the butuan boats, in which, one of these existed during the 6th AD now placed in National Museum, Manila.

This Butuan City Regional Museum is visited many times by local and foreign tourists to take a look of what's inside. However, taking pictures in the museum are prohibited unless authorized by National Museum, Manila.

BOB-bXu

December 17th, 2006, 11:38 AM

http://static.flickr.com/93/280495456_6d987d8b13.jpg?v=0

jameslab8470

December 17th, 2006, 04:16 PM

^^^ is this really century old tree? this is a tree from the rizal park, diba? matagal na 'tong puno. pero i think it's not (over) 100 years old.

BOB-bXu

December 18th, 2006, 02:27 AM

theres an old painting taken during approx 1900, with that tree in the site..will look for that photo

diehardbisdak

December 18th, 2006, 08:09 AM

flickr pic

Brownman Revival Butuan Concert
http://static.flickr.com/144/324955190_5b15df7e47.jpg?v=0

boybleauXx

December 18th, 2006, 10:00 AM

File Photo from Nasipit International, showing the Nasipit Harbor along Butuan Bay and the Nasipit Industrial Estate
Nasipit Baseport is the seaport of entry to Butuan and the rest of Agusan-Surigao Sur-Davao Norte-Compostela Valley service area. It is complemented by Masao Port and the Riverine Port
http://nasipit.atspace.org/images/Nasipit_Panorama7.jpg

boybleauXx

December 18th, 2006, 10:37 AM

From Caraga ~ Paradise on the Rise
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6527/2579/1600/caraga%20spot1.jpg

boybleauXx

December 20th, 2006, 04:27 PM

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/BXU.jpg?t=1166628262

boju

December 20th, 2006, 11:52 PM

Thursday, December 21, 2006
5 Chinese firms eye plantation in Caraga
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY -- Five big Chinese industrial firms are eyeing to invest in a huge industrial tree plantation project in Caraga Region, the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Benjamen Tumaliuan said the five Chinese industrial firms are looking for vast tracts of land in the region where they could establish a multi-billion-peso tree plantation on medium to long-term investment plans.

"At least one million hectares are needed by these Chinese businessmen that once realized will be billed as the biggest tree farms in Asia," Tumaliuan said.

Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio of the DENR's Planning Policy, Research and Legislative Affairs Division has recently visited the region with representatives from the five Chinese Industrial firms looking for a possible site.

Ignacio said if plans push through it is expected to generate employment in Caraga particularly those living in the hinterlands.

The five Chinese industrialist group leaders interested to invest and who visited Caraga Region recently were Yi Ziang Rui, Vice Director and senior economist of the China Jilin Forest Industry Group C, Ltd., Science and Technology Industrial Development Division, Zhang Xian Cheng, Vice General Manager, senior economist;

China Jilin Forest Industry Group, Zhu Tian Wen, Assistant Manager of the Sino-Philippine Hybrid Commercial Project Hybrid Department, JI L Fubua of the Agriculture Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd., and Zhu Cheng Qing, vice general manager, Chir Jilin Forest Industry Group Co., Ltd.

Tumaliuan said there are at least 391,000 hectares of open land areas suitable for tree plantations in the two Agusan provinces alone.

Other areas, however, could be negotiated with the Indigenous People (IP) under the Ancestral Domain claims for the tree plantation projects.

In the last December 14 meeting with the tribal council leaders about proposals for the tree plantation projects with the multi-sectoral representatives, the tribal chieftains expressed willingness to cooperate with investors but are pushing for Free Prior Consultation and Consent.

Tumaliuan said the government thrust for tree plantation projects would mean involvement of the indigenous people in the whole process respecting the law of the Indigenous People's Act.

"We are looking for a long term and sustainable development of the timber corridor, development that is people and community centered with the investments be given opportunity to gain and survive which means sustainable development to all", Tumaliuan added.

In the 1960's up to early `80's, Caraga Region is the "Timber Capital of the Country" where it supplies nearly 70 percent of the country's quality lumber supply needs ranging from wallboards, lumber supply for construction and furniture and others.

Source: Sunstar (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2006/12/21/bus/5.chinese.firms.eye.plantation.in.caraga.html)

BOB-bXu

December 20th, 2006, 11:55 PM

Thursday, December 21, 2006
5 Chinese firms eye plantation in Caraga
By Ben Serrano

BUTUAN CITY -- Five big Chinese industrial firms are eyeing to invest in a huge industrial tree plantation project in Caraga Region, the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Benjamen Tumaliuan said the five Chinese industrial firms are looking for vast tracts of land in the region where they could establish a multi-billion-peso tree plantation on medium to long-term investment plans.

"At least one million hectares are needed by these Chinese businessmen that once realized will be billed as the biggest tree farms in Asia," Tumaliuan said.

Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio of the DENR's Planning Policy, Research and Legislative Affairs Division has recently visited the region with representatives from the five Chinese Industrial firms looking for a possible site.

Ignacio said if plans push through it is expected to generate employment in Caraga particularly those living in the hinterlands.

The five Chinese industrialist group leaders interested to invest and who visited Caraga Region recently were Yi Ziang Rui, Vice Director and senior economist of the China Jilin Forest Industry Group C, Ltd., Science and Technology Industrial Development Division, Zhang Xian Cheng, Vice General Manager, senior economist;

China Jilin Forest Industry Group, Zhu Tian Wen, Assistant Manager of the Sino-Philippine Hybrid Commercial Project Hybrid Department, JI L Fubua of the Agriculture Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd., and Zhu Cheng Qing, vice general manager, Chir Jilin Forest Industry Group Co., Ltd.

Tumaliuan said there are at least 391,000 hectares of open land areas suitable for tree plantations in the two Agusan provinces alone.

Other areas, however, could be negotiated with the Indigenous People (IP) under the Ancestral Domain claims for the tree plantation projects.

In the last December 14 meeting with the tribal council leaders about proposals for the tree plantation projects with the multi-sectoral representatives, the tribal chieftains expressed willingness to cooperate with investors but are pushing for Free Prior Consultation and Consent.

Tumaliuan said the government thrust for tree plantation projects would mean involvement of the indigenous people in the whole process respecting the law of the Indigenous People's Act.

"We are looking for a long term and sustainable development of the timber corridor, development that is people and community centered with the investments be given opportunity to gain and survive which means sustainable development to all", Tumaliuan added.

In the 1960's up to early `80's, Caraga Region is the "Timber Capital of the Country" where it supplies nearly 70 percent of the country's quality lumber supply needs ranging from wallboards, lumber supply for construction and furniture and others

jameslab8470

December 21st, 2006, 05:16 AM

^^ double post

Kaiser

December 22nd, 2006, 08:49 AM

interior of st. joesph cathedral

http://www.thelandofpromise.com/agusannorte/stjoseph-IMG_5399x.jpg

Kaiser

December 22nd, 2006, 08:52 AM

Santo Nino Shrine in Butuan City

http://www.mindanao.com/oct2006nmin/images/img_3420.jpg

Kaiser

December 22nd, 2006, 08:56 AM

founded this pic @ philskies.net

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/5738/butuangm5.jpg

BOB-bXu

December 22nd, 2006, 11:13 AM

SJIT Main Building, North Montilla Blvd.
http://www.sjit.edu.ph/images/header_fw/main_header_fw_r1_c1.jpg

boybleauXx

December 22nd, 2006, 12:09 PM

http://www.asiatravel.com/philippines/almont/gifs/header.gif

http://www.asiatravel.com/philippines/almont/gifs/dlx_bg.jpg

http://www.asiatravel.com/philippines/almont/gifs/stdlx_bg.jpg

http://www.asiatravel.com/philippines/almont/gifs/pool_bg.jpg

Located 5 minutes away from the city center of Butuan, ALMONT INLAND RESORT is a sprawling 4-hectare spread that has 52 deluxe rooms and 4 suites which are fully air-conditioned with cable TV, refrigerator with mini bar, NDD and IDD telephone, hot and cold running water and bathtub. Each room has a spacious veranda overlooking either the swimming pool or the man-made lake.

The resort has complete conference facilities (Butuan Ballroom which can accommodate 1,800 persons and the Carmen Room which can seat 100 persons) and Manay Maling Restaurant which offers both local and international cuisine.

The resort also boasts of an array of sports facilities (10-hole putting green, horse back riding, biking, tennis and volleyball courts and fishing at the man-made lagoon). The luxurious lagoon inspired swimming pool with man-made waterfalls.

Other services and facilities are airport transfers, babysitting, car service, currency exchange, parking, safety deposit boxes, wakeup call, airline/booking confirmation, city tours and tour packages, company doctor on call, massage service, laundry/pressing services and 24 hour room service.

Rajah_Soliman

December 22nd, 2006, 04:17 PM

how old is this church

Santo Nino Shrine in Butuan City

http://www.mindanao.com/oct2006nmin/images/img_3420.jpg

BOB-bXu

December 23rd, 2006, 06:51 AM

this church is approximately about 10 years old pa lang

BOB-bXu

December 23rd, 2006, 07:01 AM

Saturday, December 23, 2006
Bacolod to get flyover projects
By Roberto L. Bacasong

BACOLOD City is among the several other selected local government units that will benefit of the proposed P250-million flyover project under the Bridge Program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Secretary to the Mayor Rogelio Balo, in an interview Friday, said that the proposed flyover will be constructed at the junction of Lacson and Burgos streets and at the junction of Lacson St. and BS Aquino Drive.

Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit Watch

The other proposed flyovers will be put up in the junction of Manila North Road and Gapan-Olongapo Road in San Fernando City; juction of North Bacalso Avenue and V. Rama Ave., Cebu City; junction of Matina Ave. and Aplaya-Pangi St., Davao City; junction of J. Luna Ave. and A. Soriano Jr.-Cabahug St., Cebu City; junction of Luna St. and Jalandoni St., Iloilo City; junction of Panganiban Ave. and Magsaysay Ave., Naga, Camarines Sur; junction of Jose Aquino Ave., and Montilla Boulevard, Butuan City; and junction of Ledesma St., and Valeria St., Iloilo City.

"This is the project of the National Government through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). If this project will be realized, it will create great impact and improvement to the traffic problem in the city," said Balo.

He added that DPWH started to conduct its first survey in September 2004...........

Kaiser

December 23rd, 2006, 11:11 AM

^^ that's great news! when will the construction start?

BOB-bXu

December 23rd, 2006, 11:52 AM

^^ that's great news! when will the construction start?

there's no public pronouncement yet, pero I feel that flyover will dramatically change the city's urban landscape

hopefully it will not cause any negative effect to the flow of traffic to that area.

nagiging dusty na yung ibang part ng city due to construction here and there

Kaiser

December 24th, 2006, 04:41 AM

^^ Ah ok:) thnx
_______________________________________________________________________________

Iglesia ni Cristo Butuan City
http://static.flickr.com/66/173009284_f1b7c1d33c.jpg?v=0

jameslab8470

December 24th, 2006, 05:27 AM

its good news bout the confirmation regarding the flyover. Pero sayang. Okay kasi ang area. kung lalagyan pa natin ng flyover, mawawala ang itsura sa jolibee centro and crown trifti mart. and also the hospital. Sa tingin ko, madudumihan lang ang butuan city dahil dito. and isa pa, hindi marunong ang government ng butuan na i maintain ang cleanliness sa whole city..

g0Rs

December 24th, 2006, 04:10 PM

http://www.ecardica.com/ecards/postcards%5Cchristmas/Merry%20Christmas.gif

boybleauXx

December 25th, 2006, 02:39 AM

FROM BUTUAN CITY TO THE SSC COMMUNITY OF CITIES....

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/xmas.jpg?t=1167009547

jameslab8470

December 25th, 2006, 02:46 AM

Merry Christmas Butuan! I'm in Butuan right now. Abot ko dire yesterday, december 24. :) Tingala lang lang ko. Karong Christmas sa Butuan, hilom ra. pahilom ng pahilom every Christmas. ngano kaha?

BOB-bXu

December 25th, 2006, 03:27 AM

its because more and more people are realizing the waste of money in buying firecrackers. before, that line along montilla blvd. near timber city academy used to be a firecracker selling area, now its good that the firecrackers are loosing its popularity. hopefully butuan will follow davao in terms of strict prohibition of firecracker use...

BOB-bXu

December 25th, 2006, 06:01 AM

Christmas Gift Ko Po sa Inyo he he he:)
http://www.topexpressions.com/catalog/T1214_TC1BN0000KIS13BUTUARE0000000.MAIN.jpg

bonixx

December 25th, 2006, 07:32 AM

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

ritche

December 25th, 2006, 08:40 AM

founded this pic @ philskies.net

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/5738/butuangm5.jpg

This is like the Dumaguete airport.

ritche

December 25th, 2006, 08:44 AM

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! FROM DUMAGUETE AND ORIENTAL NEGROS TO BUTUAN CITY...

windlady

December 25th, 2006, 11:27 AM

FELICES PASCUA BUTUAN CITY FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY "ASIA'S LATIN CITY"

:dance:

jameslab8470

December 25th, 2006, 02:44 PM

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! Galing lang ako sa city. too many people in the Butuan Historic Park. hehe. (Rizal Park). I took some pix... pero sunod ko na muna i post. kasi dial up lang gamit ko dito... hirap upload. hehe.. dami nag paputok last Christmas.. THEY DOn'T REALLY NOW WHAT CHRISTMAS REALLY IS!!!.. Naiinis talaga ako sa mga taong nagpapaputok sa Christmas.. Fireworks are intended for driving away all evil and bad luck. That is done during the opening of the new year. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus entering into our life, our home. Pero Bakit nagpapaputok sila Christmas? To drive away Jesus from ur hearts?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS BUTUAN!

tj_brewed

December 25th, 2006, 08:59 PM

Merry Christmas Butuan! And advance Happy New Year!

paulkrps

December 26th, 2006, 02:14 PM

merry christmas and a happy new year sa tanang taga butuan.

jameslab8470

December 27th, 2006, 10:16 AM

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decuriosnyt02.jpg

jameslab8470

December 27th, 2006, 10:21 AM

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decuriosnyt01.jpg

Urios at Night

Sto. Nino Shrine
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decstoninoshrine03.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decstoninoshrine02.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decstoninoshrine01.jpg

Rizal Park at Night
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decrizalpark02.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decrizalpark.jpg

Saint Joseph Cathedral
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/deccathedralatnight03.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/deccathedralatnight02.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/deccathedralatnight.jpg

Agusan Capitol
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/deccapitol02.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/deccapitol01.jpg

Others
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmontillablvdatnight02.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmontillablvdatnight.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmcdonyt01.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmayapay01.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagbridgenyt04.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagbridgenyt03.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/declarsianbxu01.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decJCAquino.jpg

jameslab8470

December 27th, 2006, 10:23 AM

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay18.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay17.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay16.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay15.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay14.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay13.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay12.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay11.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay10.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay09.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay08.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay07.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay06.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay05.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay04.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay01.jpg

BOB-bXu

December 27th, 2006, 05:58 PM

looks like the city is ablaze with so many sodium lights^^ i wonder how's the city electric bills costs

BOB-bXu

December 27th, 2006, 06:00 PM

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/jameslab8470/Butuan/decmagsaysay18.jpg

I guess a new city shall rise on this spot

ikra

December 28th, 2006, 01:23 AM

it looks so purrtttyyyy!!!!

jameslab8470

December 28th, 2006, 05:53 AM

I guess a new city shall rise on this spot

Yup. Actually this is the proposed location for the new SM City Butuan. New city will rise nga. hehe

jhunix

December 28th, 2006, 02:27 PM

pwede nyo locate s google earth ang location s sm city butuan:) :)

Ex!lE

December 29th, 2006, 05:24 AM

BUTUAN CITY — To sustain the economic boom in Northern Mindanao, the Regional Development Council approved a P2.355-billion budget for its work and financial plan (WFP) for 2007, it was learned yesterday.

RDC officials said the approved budget is vital in the coordinated efforts of various government line agencies to monitor the implementation of special projects in 2007.

In the recent 73rd RDC full-council meeting in Tangub City, it was noted that the total financial requirements for the implementation of the programmed activities embodied in the WFP amount to R2,354,694,000, of which R1.599 billion is to be provided by Congress, R90 million by the RDCRegional Line Agency (RLA) members which will contribute R5,000 each every year, and R665,694 from contributions of RDC-local government units (LGUs).

Infrastructure, livelihood and food programs are lined up for 2007, RDC officials said.

The RDC in Northern Mindanao is stepping up the implementation of its various projects to support the development of the Super Mindanao Region. These projects are included in the medium-term public investment program for Mindanao (MTPIPM).

The total budget for the major Mindanao Super Region projects stands at R29.1 billion in the next three years.

Myra V. Balandra, regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) who also sits as vice chairperson of RDC in Northern Mindanao, said there are at least six strategies identified for the Mindanao Super Region. These are:

Realizing Mindanao’s agribusiness, aqua and marine culture potentials; establishing an efficient food logistics system linking Mindanao to Luzon, Visayas and the nearby ASEAN neighbors and improving Mindanao’s image to attract more investors in trade and tourism; pursuing responsible mineral development; uplifting social development conditions and building on strong partnerships by promoting convergence and complementation among strategic partners in development; enhancing the capabilities of local government units in development planning and project implementation; pursuing the objectives of the peace agreement; and enhancing executive, legislative and judicial skills towards good governance.

"The collective task of the RDC is to ensure that the projects are realized and properly implemented, given that the list has the full support of the President," Balandra said.

Meanwhile, Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza 11, chairperson of RDC in Northeastern Mindanao, also announced two multi-billion-peso infrastructure projects that are to be completed in the early part of 2007.

Mayor Plaza said these projects are the R1-billion 2nd Magsaysay Bridge and the R427.1-million Magsaysay viaduct. These infrastructure projects will be completed by April 2007.

Under the Mindanao Super Region projects, a R1.312-billion expansion of Butuan Airport is also set to start in 2007, Mayor Plaza also said.

BOB-bXu

December 31st, 2006, 02:37 AM

Yearender report

Merger into super region buoys up Mindanao’s hope (First of two-part series) By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

BUTUAN CITY — The incorporation of Mindanao into a Super Region in the middle of 2006 both renewed and heightened optimism on the island’s ability to improve its economy.

"With President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s all-out effort, backed by strong-willed Mindanao leaders, development and peace lead to a promise fulfilled- progress and development," said Mindanao Development Chaiman and Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza.

Mindanao, the Philippines’ second largest island, has a land area of 102,043 square kilometers and almost 19 million inhabitants.

It is already embracing various vital development projects that took off in the middle of 2006.

The total budget for various development endeavours for Mindanao Super Region, comprising Region’s 9, 10, X1, X11, X111 and ARMM, stands at about Php 29.1 billion for the next three years.

Infrastructures, including roads and bridges and the development of food industries, and the mushrooming of livelihood projects are included in the road map for progress and development for the major Mindanao Super Region in the years ahead.

The neutralization of the communist movement in Northern Mindanao is one of the major factors that enabled the development projects to take off.

A report on internal security, which was recently declassified by Maj. Gen. Jose T.Barbieto, commander of the Army’s Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division (4ID), said the dismantling of the CPP-NPA Front Committee 12 occured in the second quarter of 2006.

He added that within a quarter, government troops reduced to 112 — from 123 — the number of barangays either controlled or influenced by the CPP-NDF-NPA in Carage and Northern Mindanao.

Within that same period, 135 CPP-NPA-NDF personalities were either captured, apprehended or killed, 18 of which were considered prominent/key personalities of the communist movement of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Consequently, government troops seized 13 NPA satellite camps and in the process, recovered a crew-served weapon and 29 high powered and low-powered firearms.

The realization of the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development at the Bishop’s Palace in Butuan City on October 17, 2006, where the various leaders of relegious organizations, non-government organization (NGO) and other agencies of the government forged an agreement for peace and development in Northeastern Mindanao, under the leadership of Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos as founding chairman.

"We are now in the road map for peace and development in this part of Mindanao," said Barbieto. (To be continued)