Surigao City, and Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands Provinces - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 2

c0kelitr0

May 10th, 2006, 07:43 AM

Monday, May 08, 2006
Surigao del Norte wins big

By Cleofe Marie M. Faelnar
UP Cebu Mass Comm Intern

The contingent from Surigao del Norte was the big winner in yesterday’s Mantawi Festival, grabbing the grand prizes for the street dancing competition and ritual showdown as well as three special awards.

In all, the Surigao group earned P460,000 in prize money as it also took the best in musicality, best in costume and best in andas awards.

The participants from the municipality of Consolacion, Cebu placed second in the ritual showdown and third in street dancing. It also won best in choreography for its Sarok festival performance.

The group went home with P200,000 in cash prize.

Tribu Guardo of Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu took the second prize for street dancing and the third prize for the ritual showdown. It got P150,000 in prize money.

Thousands gathered at the Cebu Board Walk in Mandaue City starting at noon to watch the fourth Mantawi Festival in honor of their patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker.

Its theme “Taking Roots, Soaring High with Asean” took inspiration from Cebu’s hosting the Asean summit in December.

This year, the Mantawi Foundation Inc. was also put up, with Mayor Thadeo Ouano as the chairman of the board and former councilor Alfonso Albaño as the managing director.

The foundation aims to manage and maintain the high standard of the festival, which drew at least nine competing contingents this year.

“The Mantawi Festival is unique compared with the others because it is historical,” Ouano said in his welcome address.
More than 200 policemen patrolled the area, with the help of a hundred Tedman enforcers to direct traffic.

A police assistance center was also set up.

According to Jojo Dizon, police, fire and penology consultant, the preparations for yesterday’s event were made a week before.

Mobile police cars, a fire truck and an ambulance were also stand by in case of any emergencies.

The festival started with a performance by the Mandaue City School for the Arts, after which Ouano performed a ceremonial handshake with Datu Lambuzzan portrayed by Rey Martinez.

The dancing then kicked off with a performance by the Mantawi Integrated Dance Company, choreographed by Jun Oliver Figueroa.

Some employees of the Mandaue City Hall also performed.

Guest performers came from Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu, Bacolod City and Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon S. Barbers were among the government officials who graced the event.

A fireworks display capped of the festival, which ended about 7 p.m.

c0kelitr0

May 11th, 2006, 02:01 PM

Alfred Vargas goes home to Surigao with QTV Channel 11's Balik-Bayan (http://wutdafcuk.multiply.com/photos/album/15) (click link)

ramvingar

May 11th, 2006, 05:40 PM

Yung Pansukian Resort parang nasa Bali. Ang ganda.

ChocoBud

May 11th, 2006, 10:27 PM

Coke.... I've walked on that Cantiasay Wooden Bridge... it is connecting Brgy. Hanigad and Brgy. Cantiasay... Have you been in Nonoc Island...? :)

c0kelitr0

May 12th, 2006, 04:10 AM

richard fischer

May 13th, 2006, 08:56 AM

Sayak Airport
Surigao's other airport

http://park15.wakwak.com/~redhead/D06.jpg

nice shot ! do we have a pic of the other airport there too ?

ChocoBud

May 13th, 2006, 11:45 AM

^^ yeah i've been there quite a few times...i hope that the Nonoc nickel rehabilitation is on-going as planned...
---------------------

through the grapevine: i have just talked to my sister last night. she's in surigao right now for a long vacation...surigao's first mall is going to be constructed next month, according to the mall developer's accountant, who happens to be her friend. she forgot what it's going to be called though...but instead of a four-cinema complex, they've downscaled it to just two cinemas...well, that's still good enough...
I see... i grew up there for almost 13 years. Lots of undiscovered sceneries remains on that island. I love that place so much.... As far as i'm concerned, there was an attempt to rehabilitate the largest nickel refinery in asia, but it failed due to security problems. Have you been on the refinery?

c0kelitr0

May 15th, 2006, 02:42 AM

^^ failed? but Jin Chuan of China invested more than $1 billion dollars in Nonoc already?

ChocoBud

May 15th, 2006, 06:58 PM

^^ failed? but Jin Chuan of China invested more than $1 billion dollars in Nonoc already?
yes... i think that was wayback 2000-01....i'm not particularly sure on the name of the investor.. There was pre-commissioning already..it just stopped when ASG's tried to infiltrate that island...well..as of the moment...i no longer have news on the rehabilitation of the refinery....
:)

c0kelitr0

May 16th, 2006, 04:43 AM

^^ ah now i know what you mean, the old investor...but Jin Chuan is the new one...if you have scanned the previous pages, there are news about it ;)

c0kelitr0

May 16th, 2006, 06:37 AM

near Suhoton Cave

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Suhoton.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Suhoton1.jpg

c0kelitr0

May 16th, 2006, 06:40 AM

Magpopongko Natural Pools

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Magpopongko.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/NaturalPool.jpg

c0kelitr0

May 16th, 2006, 10:02 AM

Siargao Island

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Siargao.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Siargao2.jpg

c0kelitr0

May 16th, 2006, 11:10 AM

nice shot ! do we have a pic of the other airport there too ?

here's the other airport taken by andrew de castro, may 1, 2006

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoAirport.jpg

KulasKusgan

May 16th, 2006, 05:01 PM

Dinagat Island... (photos by Rhonson Ng)

http://images.rhonson.multiply.com/image/5/photos/8/500x500/1/CRW_7999.JPG?et=ryrPBx53T%2BCKkNoLaskUug

http://images.rhonson.multiply.com/image/4/photos/8/500x500/19/IMG_8001.JPG?et=fwfqpkv4ewtyyVZiGDpNbA

http://images.rhonson.multiply.com/image/4/photos/8/500x500/21/IMG_8016.JPG?et=ZiUiaRtPeJONu0cLnz7mHQ

http://images.rhonson.multiply.com/image/4/photos/8/500x500/11/IMG_7732.jpg?et=TyP78ewYLoTQRRf9ADkq2A

http://images.rhonson.multiply.com/image/4/photos/8/500x500/5/IMG_7715.JPG?et=8LHLgtgK0gkDWuypIcB3NA

in case images wont show up, click here:

http://rhonson.multiply.com/photos

mhe-ann

May 17th, 2006, 06:40 AM

ei, sleepy, long-time no hear... hehehe. nice to see you posting in this thread... dito ang next forumers meet right? :D :jk:

KulasKusgan

May 17th, 2006, 02:32 PM

^^ hi mhe-ann! sana nga sa siargao/dinagat ang ssc national meet. sarap sana mag-surfing lalo na this typhoon session. haha.

mhe-ann

May 18th, 2006, 01:59 AM

nge? typhoon surfing... yay! takot ako malunod. haha.... o cya, sana matuloy tau jan sa siargao. :D

c0kelitr0

May 23rd, 2006, 07:59 AM

Pansukian Tropical Resort

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Architectural.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/13.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/01.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/12.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/07.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/06.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/05.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/03.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/10.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/08.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/09.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/11.jpg

c0kelitr0

May 23rd, 2006, 09:06 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/04.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/p1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/p3.jpg

KiBeN

May 23rd, 2006, 10:34 AM

wow! thanks coke for the pics! hehehe

c0kelitr0

May 23rd, 2006, 12:07 PM

The Big Winners of the Mantawi Festival at the Cebu Board Walk

The contigent from Surigao won the Grand Prize

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Mantawi1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Mantawi2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Mantawi3.jpg

KulasKusgan

May 24th, 2006, 02:07 PM

coke: ive heard about pansukian featured at architectural digest. thanks for those pics. the other philippine architecture featured in that mag was in mid-90's --- the malipano villas in samal, davao.

c0kelitr0

May 25th, 2006, 11:46 AM

Surigao prices of prime commodities remain stable
by Fryan E. Abkilan, Flor Pacleb

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060525.htm&no=13

SURIGAO CITY (May 25) -– In line with the government’s campaign to implement a comprehensive plan to stabilize the prices of basic commodities in the city, Mayor Alfonso Casurra recently bared that prices of basic commodities in Surigao City shows no significant change. This is one effort of the city government in implementing comprehensive plan to stabilize the price of basic commodities.

In a meeting with the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) held recently, Mayor Casurra said the recent price and supply monitoring report of the LPCC shows no significant change in the price of commodities based on their monitoring report done a week ago.

Prices of school supplies in city retailer stores remained the same as compared a month ago. Medicines were reported to have remained steady. Vegetables and crops were also stable. But, cement price rose dramatically by 12 percent and corrugated G.I. sheets by 8.5 percent.

With this development, the City Mayor as Chairman of the LPCC called on the council members to remain vigilant. Additional items were ordered to be added to the Price Watch bulletin board. (PIA Surigao del Norte/PIO-CMO)

c0kelitr0

May 25th, 2006, 11:48 AM

Tandag poised to be abaca-capital of Surigao
by Prime Martho L. Oyan

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060525.htm&no=16

TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR (May 25) -– Tandag, the capital town of this province is aiming to be the abaca-capital of the area.

Under the program “One-Town, One Product” policy, Mayor Alexander Pimentel said his administration is pushing abaca to be the lead livelihood project.

As an initial step of his ambitious project, the “ceremonial planting” took place in May 19 in barangay San Isidro which is one of the 14 chosen barangays as pilot areas.

Key government officials who graced the occasion were Gov. Vicente Pimentel, Jr., Vice Gov. Librado Navarro and some Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members. Also present were elected and appointed municipal officials in Tandag and barangay chairmen of the other 13 barangays.

During his speech, Governor Pimentel said the demand of abaca fiber is so great because consumers are shifting from plastic fiber to abaca. He lauded the officials and agencies for embarking on this livelihood project because he believes this could be some source of livelihood opportunities in line with President Arroyo’s program on job creation.

Gov. Pimentel added that in the long run, the project could greatly help in revenue generation that could fund several infrastructure programs of the government.

Appropriately dubbed as AYEK derived from the nickname of Mayor Pimentel, this is translated as “Abaca usa sa mga Yawe sa Ekonomikanhong Kalambuan.”

As it expands, AYEK targets to cover 300 hectares within the municipality of Tandag. Initially the municipal government released P550,000.00 as starting fund of the project.

SIDLAK Tandag, a cooperative is one of its project proponents. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

c0kelitr0

May 25th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Surigao Norte mayors support Senate-House talk on Chacha
by Fryan E. Abkilan

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060519.htm&no=11

SURIGAO DEL NORTE (May 19) -- As the senate and House leaderships prepare for talks, San Francisco Mayor Nestor Olvis is optimistic that the two chambers will find a middle ground to move the Charter Change ahead.

"They (senate and House) really have to be united for the betterment of our nation, It is now high time for us to move on," said Olvis.

With the recent visit of the Advocacy Commission to the province of Surigao del Norte last Tuesday, May 17, 2006. More and more Local Chief Executives are hopeful that the move of Legislative body to start the talk will serve as a springboard for closer and harmonious cooperation not only in threshing out the issues of Chacha, but in moving the legislative mill forward on key bills to beef up our national security and economic stability. (PIA Surigao del Norte)

c0kelitr0

May 25th, 2006, 11:52 AM

MGB adheres to gov't call to monitor mining firms in Caraga
by Robert E. Roperos

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060525.htm&no=20

BUTUAN CITY (May 25) –- The Regional Office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Surigao City has been closely monitoring all active mining firms in the region, may be exploration, big scale or small scale mining operations and quarries particularly the sand and gravel.

In a statement, MGB-Caraga Regional Director Alilo Ensomo, Jr. said their office is closely monitoring the mining firms in the region in response to the call of the national government to monitor the mining sites operations throughout the country as it carefully reviews and considers the recommendations submitted by the Rapu-Rapu Fact-Finding Commission headed by Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon.

According to Dir. Ensomo, MGB-XIII is monitoring these firms on a quarterly basis for big-scale mining operations through the multi-partite monitoring team (MMT).

Dir. Ensomo added that for exploration companies, quarterly monitoring is also conducted by the multi-sectoral Community Technical Working Group (CTWG), which is an initiative made by their office, aside from the regular semi-annual monitoring conducted by their technical personnel on the exploration and environmental work programs or the Ex/EnWP of these companies.

Ensomo further said a section in their office is in-charge of annual monitoring of quarries and small scale mining operations aside from the monitoring being conducted by the Provincial or City Government Environment and Natural Resources Office or the LGU-ENRO.

In order to have a balance between mining and the environment as a good starting ground for the harmonious working relationship in pushing for the interests of all parties concerned, Ensomo said that measures are being implemented by mining firms through the recommendations from MMTs and CTWGs.

These recommendations, according to Ensomo were deliberated during the monitoring exit conference and are being made part in the agenda of the multi-sectoral Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) quarterly meetings for immediate action and to ensure that commitments made by companies on these recommendations be complied accordingly.

Moreover, Ensomo pointed out that the underlying principle of DENR-MGB Caraga’s operational approaches is the institutionalization of cross-sector partnerships to ensure harmonious working relationship in pushing the interest of all parties concerned. (PIA-13)

MAXTON

May 27th, 2006, 06:29 AM

SUMIGAW PARA SA SURIGAO!!! :lovethem: :lovethem: :lovethem: :lovethem: :lovethem: :lovethem: :dance2: :kiss: :guns1: :cheers1: :cheers1:

scandinavian girl

May 31st, 2006, 06:28 PM

I am exploring the Philippines in these skyscpr.c different threads and in here there are some very beautifull waterpictures. :) Your country is very beautifull indeed :)

Hiiii Sleepwalker.... nice to see you!:)

richard fischer

June 1st, 2006, 09:45 PM

here's the other airport taken by andrew de castro, may 1, 2006

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoAirport.jpg

thanks ! salamat po ! nice shot, nice terminal, typical pilipino style !

c0kelitr0

June 9th, 2006, 11:28 AM

Surigao Norte forms Prov'l Census Coordinating Board

by Fryan E. Abkilan

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060531.htm&no=03

Surigao del Norte (May 31) -- Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers unveiled recently the creation of the Provincial Census Coordinating Board (PCCB) in order to assist the National Statistics Office (NSO) in gathering data that will be needed to the conduct of the 2006 Census of Population (POPCEN) which is slated on November of this year.

This is aimed to provide government planners and policy makers with up-to-date and comprehensive information on the size, composition and distribution of the population at the local levels.

The board shall assess the needs of NSO in the province in terms of transportation, communication, security and publicity. They will also conduct an inventory of the transportation and communication facilities available for the use during the census operation, specify the areas of involvement or participation of the agencies within the limits of their resources, assist the City/Municipal Coordinating Board in the conduct of the publicity and information campaign. The board is also expected to support NSO in the census operations to ensure complete coverage of the province then refer to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) matters which cannot be resolved in the PCCB. Moreover, they will also take up matters that may be specified by the NSCB deemed necessary for the conduct of the census.

The members are composed of Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers as the chairman, DepEd Superintendents Dr. Fidela Rosas of Surigao del Norte Division and Ms. Susan Cuizon of Siargao Division as vice-chairpersons. Members are Engr. Policarpio Origenes, District Engineer of the DPWH, PNP Provincial Director Supt. Celso Curitana, PPDO OIC Arturo Cruje, Provincial Assessor Victoria Eder, Provincial Agriculturist Trujelio Pepito, Prov'l Social Service Officer Antonio Tiu, PENRO Claudio Asumen, PSSO-DSWD OIC Rosemarie Catelo, PIA Prov' Information Coordinator Fryan Abkilan, Provincial Statistics Officer Nicasio Hubilla with some representatives from the private sectors namely Ms. Editha Geguna of FPOP, Greggo Uriarte of SUNGCOD and Carmen Cubil of SEDF.

To ensure the successful conduct of the census, Gov. Barbers urged the Surigaonons to support and cooperate in the upcoming 2006 POPCEN. (PIA Surigao del Norte)

c0kelitr0

June 9th, 2006, 11:37 AM

Mining beckons, Gloria tells Chinese traders

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics04_june06_2006

PresidenT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has urged Chinese businessmen to take position in the local mining sector and benefit from its resurgence.

Speaking before a 300-strong Chinese delegation led by Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Mrs. Arroyo said the local mining industry is booming. “The Philippines is well poised as far as mining is concerned. We have a $1 trillion mineral wealth and the Philippines is one of the world’s top five source countries for deposits of copper, gold, iron and nickel.” The President spoke at the closing ceremony of the two-day Philippines-China Economic Forum held at the Manila Hotel yesterday, with 200 company executives from the biggest companies in China among the audience.

One of the companies is Jin Chuan Shanghai Non-Ferrous Metals Corp., a major investor in the $1 billion rehabilitation and reopening of the Nonoc Nickel Mines in Surigao.

Mrs. Arroyo’s statement came as an assurance to multinational mining firms that the government remains committed to the full implementation of the 1995 Mining Law.

For his part, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo will not seek the revision of the mining law, which allows foreign mining companies to operate on a large scale.

The government expects the mining industry to generate $5 billion to $7 billion annually in foreign exchange as well as create a quarter of a million jobs over the next six years.

Mining industry leaders have warned that a total ban will send the wrong signal to potential investors hoping to cash in on the country’s $1 trillion mineral wealth, adding that a balanced policy that will protect the environment while promoting a good business climate is needed.

President Arroyo has earlier urged foreign mining firms to spend at least 3 to 5 percent of direct mining and milling costs on the government’s environmental programs annually and to devote at least 10 percent of their capital expenditures to fund environmental projects.

c0kelitr0

June 16th, 2006, 04:53 AM

Surigao holds 2-day meat processing training

by Fryan E. Abkilan, Margie Ophelia Rosas

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060615.htm&no=04

SURIGAO CITY (June 15) -- The City Veterinary Office, in cooperation with the Provincial Veterinary Office and the Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Unit XIII held a two-day Meat Processing Training Seminar aimed to promote alternative livelihood for the Surigaonons.

The activity covers a one day lecture and another day demo presentation and applications where 30 participants represented by domestic wives and mothers and would-be businessmen from Surigao City barangays of San Isidro, Lipata, Cayutan, Togbongon, Mat-i, Brgy. Luna, San Juan, and Bonifacio participated and had their hands-on training application.

Under this program, the participants learn how to prepare meat processing, the right application of sanitary food handling techniques that would eliminate the risk of food poisoning, the use of the latest technologies to develop the proficiency level required by the processing industry covering topics on safe handling of processing equipment, production of many varieties of sausages, loaves, hams and bacon, and learn the merchandising techniques used in a delicatessen.

With this development, City Veterinary Officer Dr. Allan Quines is optimistic that through this program, families will raise their income and to those interested entrepreneurial students who wished to bring in extra earnings in order to meet their school needs this coming school year.

"The two-day certificate training program also recognizes that adults can learn in many different ways through different means that includes acquiring knowledge and skills through work experience or non-formal training", Quines added. (PIA Surigao del Norte/PIO-CVO)

mhe-ann

June 16th, 2006, 08:38 AM

c0kelitr0

June 23rd, 2006, 04:42 AM

Surigao Norte formulates mineral resource development plan

by Fryan E. Abkilan

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060622.htm&no=15

SURIGAO DEL NORTE (June 22) -- Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers bares the formulation of the Provincial Mineral Resource Development Master Plan (PMRDMP) to generate socio-economic and other relevant data on all metallic and non-metallic mineral occurrences in the province in terms of weight and grade of the mineral deposits.

Barbers said that being a province that anchors its economy on mining, aside from fishery, agriculture and eco-tourism, there is a need to formulate a PMRDMP that will become the direction of the province in all its mining development undertakings.

The said plan aims to enhance the capabilities of the Provincial Technical and Management Group on strategic planning. Delineates the mineral land use and harmonize it with other land uses of the province. It also integrates mining development initiatives with other development thrusts such as development of agriculture, tourism and fishery. PMRDMP also seeks to identify potential investment areas including programs and projects for mining and aid development planners and legislators in defining policies in support to the mining industry.

Gov. Barbers expressed gratitude to some stakeholders in the government, private and the civil society in providing inputs on the plan. (PIA Surigao del Norte)

c0kelitr0

June 24th, 2006, 10:45 AM

Pre-historic Fossils found in Surigao displayed at the Surigao Museum

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoMuseum.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoMuseum2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoMuseum3.jpg

c0kelitr0

June 24th, 2006, 01:54 PM

SRBC CITY MALL
City Boulevard, Surigao City

Status: Under Construction

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoMall.jpg

ChocoBud

June 25th, 2006, 03:33 AM

@cokelitro... do you have updates on the rehabilitation of Nonoc nickel mining....? :)

c0kelitr0

June 25th, 2006, 03:35 AM

^^ yup, it's still ongoing. Jin Chuan Shanghai Non-Ferrous Metals Corp. wants to open the site by 2009...they are employing 10,000 people for the reconstruction...and will hire about 4,000 when they operate...

c0kelitr0

June 26th, 2006, 05:58 AM

http://static.flickr.com/45/170545927_d3473a8e24.jpg?v=0

The Surfers of Siargao now stand among the finest in the World.

c0kelitr0

June 26th, 2006, 10:55 AM

Surigao City Port

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoCityPort1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoCityPort2copy.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SurigaoCityPort3.jpg

c0kelitr0

June 27th, 2006, 10:05 AM

Phivolcs holds Surigao Norte consultations on hazard mapping

by Fryan E. Abkilan

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060627.htm&no=27

SURIGAO DEL NORTE (June 27) –- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recently conducted a consultation meeting on hazard mapping and assessment for effective community-based disaster management (READY Phase I) here, to strengthen the government’s advocacy to protect and save lives and properties in times of calamities.

The activity is in collaboration with Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB). Being one of the identified areas to experience the La Niña Phenomenon in the next few months, the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council and its member agencies responded to the call of the national government to identify areas where hazards may occur.

In order to reduce the possible damaging effects of the calamities that the province may encounter, the READY Phase 1 Project was conceptualized by the Arroyo Administration with support from the UN Country Team for specific assistance on Disaster Risk Reduction (DPR) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM), in order to strengthen the disaster preparedness capacity and capability of vulnerable communities in the country.

Being one of the top priorities, multi-hazard mapping, development of Community-Based Early Warning system (CBEWS) and intensive information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns were introduced in the province of Surigao del Norte. The CBEWS component will be funded by the Bureau of Crises Prevention and Response (BCPR) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project will install 18 stations of rain gauges, 22 stations of water level/staff gauges and three tide gauges for coastal municipalities in the province.

Prov’l Administrator and currently the PDCC Action Officer Adolfo Pantilo is grateful that the Arroyo Administration and other foreign agencies have pledged to sponsor projects such as these that would strengthen the disaster preparedness of the province. (PIA Surigao del Norte)

c0kelitr0

June 30th, 2006, 05:53 AM

new renderings of SRBC City Mall

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SRBCCityMall.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SRBCCityMall2.jpg

c0kelitr0

June 30th, 2006, 05:56 AM

SRBC Corporate Centre

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/SRBCCorporateCenter.jpg

philbern

July 1st, 2006, 01:09 AM

Boy, this mall looks like " Pinakamababang Paaralan ng Togbongon". They should not build this on the boulevard but rather somewhere in the hinterlands. What a setback for Surigao. It's outright ugly!

c0kelitr0

July 1st, 2006, 03:37 AM

beggars can't be choosers...it's better than no mall at all ;)

philbern

July 1st, 2006, 04:04 AM

I think the people of Surigao did not beg for a mall. This mall business has been rejected many times in the past. Gaisano did not succeed in the past. SM and other corporations had been doing some feasibility studies but local businessmen are up in arms against any competition that will dampen their profits. Now, to preempt outsiders, some local businessmen decided to build their own mall with resistance from some local officials. Apparently, they are succeeding. Again, myself being an author of numerous Surigao tourist articles in the past, personally find the location of this building not benefitting the overall planning for its tremendous potential as tourist destination. The boulevard should be zoned for restaurants, hotels, and holiday apartments.

Edmundtanso

July 1st, 2006, 05:39 PM

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/gallery/1522153/1/73156793

c0kelitr0

July 2nd, 2006, 01:43 AM

OMG!! So you already went to surigao! i so envy you...the pics look great!

KulasKusgan

July 2nd, 2006, 02:11 AM

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/gallery/1522153/1/73156793

paradise!!!

Lili

July 2nd, 2006, 05:00 AM

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/gallery/1522153/1/73156793

Beautiful pictures @Edmund. I'm glad to see the pristine waters and the luscious, untouched tropical isles. Share with us your experience on your trip to Surigao.

c0kelitr0

July 2nd, 2006, 06:20 AM

and look at the lush virgin rainforests on the islets! just wonderful!

c0kelitr0

July 2nd, 2006, 06:23 AM

Surigao Norte mineral dev’t plan formulated

http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/02/PROV2006070268261.html

SURIGAO CITY — The Surigao del Norte government led by Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers on Wednesday formulated a mineral resource and development master plan (MRDMP) to generate socio-economic and other relevant data on all mineral deposits in the province, including their weight and grade. Governor Barbers said the MRDMP will become the direction of the province for all its mining development projects as a province whose economy is dependent on minining. The provincial governor said the plan will enhance the capabilities of the provincial technical and management group on strategic planning. Barbers said the project will also identify lands for mining and harmonize their use with other lands for agriculture, tourism and fishery. "The MRDMP also seeks to identify potential investment areas, including programs and projects for mining, and aid development planners and legislators in defining policies in support to the mining industry," Barbers said. (Mike U. Crismundo)

philbern

July 2nd, 2006, 06:36 AM

Yeah, for everyone who likes to visit Surigao, please enjoy it and take care of it. This place is on the verge of Boracay-zing and Surigaonons don't want to make the same mistake of following its tacky path. :)

c0kelitr0

July 3rd, 2006, 07:03 AM

Surigao reclamation project, others to get additional funding

by Samuel Rex S. Chavez

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060630.htm&no=40

SURIGAO DEL SUR (June 30) -- Construction of reclamation project Phase II along the shoreline of Lianga Bay area is expected to resume soon with fresh funding of P100,000.00 which will be allocated for the purpose anytime this year.

Sensing the urgency of putting in place a concrete dike that will outline the entire reclamation area, the Municipal Building Officials headed by Engr. Ulysses Urbiztondo acted to earlier calls by Mayor Felino Pantaleon, Jr. to fast track the implementation of project.

In its first assembly for the ensuing fiscal year, the local chief executive of LGU Lianga led a group of LGU administrators of various government agencies that form part of the local finance committee in consolidating its various programs and project. Initial steps had already been made to proceed with this laudable undertaking.

Meanwhile, the Prospero Pichay Sports and Cultural Center will likewise undergo some minor makeover. With a measly sum of P50,000, a main door made of timber will be constructed. A number of restrooms will also be constructed inside the structure as part of finishing touches.

The gym, one of the most notable landmarks of Lianga in modern times is home to the annual “BB” Pimentel Governor’s Cup, schools’ commencement exercises, beauty pageants, grand reunions, fiesta celebration and countless other civic activities.

Other projects set to get the greenlight are the Diatagon Public Market, Poblacion Drainage System, Sabang-Lawis Bridge, construction of the Municipal Hall rest rooms, and reservoir. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

ergit222

July 3rd, 2006, 10:46 AM

paradise!!!

I believe the place is somewhere in Sohotan Cave in Siargao. You can go only in the cave during lowtides...:)

c0kelitr0

July 8th, 2006, 06:16 AM

Spectacular 11th Kaliguan Festival in Cagwait draws international attention

by Prime Martho L. Oyan

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060707.htm&no=43

SURIGAO DEL SUR (July 7) -– A mammoth crowd of people from all walks of life once again jampacked the Picturesque Cagwait White Beach Resort for the annual 11th Kaliguan Festival held last June 21-25, 2006 in the municipality of Cagwait.

Like the previous years, diverse entertainment activities capped the celebration of the 5-day festivities such as sportsfest, dance showdown and other cultural performances in the beach vicinity.

The main highlight of the affair was the Search for Perlas ng Kaliguan. Some 22 beautiful and talented ladies coming from different cities and urban areas of Mindanao and Visayas vied for the contest.

After series of competitions, Miss Phoebe Christy J. Aparejo representing the surfing town of Lanuza was adjudged the winner and crowned Perlas ng Kaliguan 2006. She also came out as best in the Island Evening Gown competition. Miss Aparejo, also a resident of Lanuza, bagged the cash prize amounting to P60,000.00.

Alma Ang representing DENR-PENRO Surigao del Sur grabbed the 1st runner-up title. She got P40,000.00 cash prize. Second runner-up is another Surigaonon from Bislig, Noreen Ly Paler representing League of Provincial Board Members of the Philippines, Surigao del Sur Chapter. Paler received P30,000.00.

Aisa Mel Chrisly Briones who represented the Vice Governors Office of Surigao del Sur was adjudged third runner-up. She received a cash prize of P20,000.00.

Now on its 11th year, the Kaliguan Festival in Cagwait White Beach also dubbed as Waikiki Beach of Surigao del Sur, has become the center of attraction in the province every year, few days after the celebration of Araw ng Surigao del Sur.

Kaliguan Festival, Surigao del Sur’s version of Ati-Atihan has been attracting local and foreign tourists. It is now included in the calendar of activities of the Department of Tourism. (PIA)

c0kelitr0

July 8th, 2006, 06:25 AM

RP formally offers Nonoc

By Lawrence Agcaoili

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business01_july05_2006

The government has made an offer to Chinese investors interested in investing as much as $1 billion to reopen the mothballed nickel mine of Philippine Nickel Corp. in Nonoc Island, Surigao del Norte.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves told reporters that Manila forwarded a proposal to Jinchuan Nonferrous Metals Corp. and Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp. during a visit of company officials late last month.

“We made them an offer and the ball is in their court,” Teves said. Details of the offer were not disclosed.

Teves said the government presented feasibility and financial viability studies to the two Chinese companies.

The entry of Jinchuan and Baosteel into Philnico hinges on the reappraisal of the company’s mining assets, financial restructuring and the mining firm’s plan to settle its obligations to the national government.

The finance chief said the government had already reached a compromise with Philnico.

Philnico is a nickel processing plant in Nonoc Island, Surigao City, which started operations in 1975 and shut down in 1986 due to technical and financial problems. The Nonoc asset was transferred to the Asset Privatization Trust, now known as the Privatization and Management Office.

In September 1989, Philnico, then controlled by the Cabarrus Group before the 1984 government foreclosure, purchased the nickel refinery from the APT.

In May 1995, Pacific Nickel Holding Ltd. (now known as Philnico Holding Ltd.) acquired 90 percent of the shares in Philnico and the rights and interests of Philnico project for close to $300 million.

However, it only managed to pay $1.254 million and owes the government over $260 million, excluding advances. The committed investments by the Chinese investors are being held up by Philnico’s debt, which is now over $300 million.

Representatives of the Chinese companies on June 28 entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Finance and Philnico. The pact calls for the settlement of all issues that prevented the mothballed nickel mine from reopening.

The two Chinese companies have committed to inject as much as $2 billion in investments during the state visit of Chinese Prime Minister Hu Jintao to the Philippines in April last year.

Jinchuan is China’s biggest nickel mining and processing corporation with a nickel reserve of 5.5 million tons, while Baosteel is one of the world’s largest steel companies.

Nonoc Island, with a land area of 5,825 hectares, has more than 144 million metric tons of nickel ore reserves, making it one of the largest in the world. At the height of its operation, the Nonoc Nickel Refinery employed more than 3,000 workers and generated annual revenues between $300 million and $350 million.

jameslab8470

July 15th, 2006, 07:16 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edmundtanso

July 15th, 2006, 04:49 PM

hi everyone! sprry for the late reply. i am glad you guys enjoyed my pictures, the photos doesn't compare to the actual one.

I've seen photos of surigao but never expected it to be so beautiful. we stayed in balaghai resort, it's a new resort in a cove with stilts room and stairs on the balcony to the water. really neat, if you are looking a quiet and beautiful place, this is the place to go. i love the rainforest the most, never seen anything like this in the philippines. the lake and river is awesome also, so clean......

i wanted to go back there again...=)

c0kelitr0

July 16th, 2006, 03:01 AM

and i'm so envious! :D it's been a long time that i have not visited the place. There's also another suhoton-look-a-like group in surigao called Pig-ot...god it's also beautiful there...there's an island with a lagoon much like in the movie The Beach...simply paradise!

c0kelitr0

July 16th, 2006, 03:05 AM

Sudoparim seen as growth gateway in Asia Pacific

By Bong Garcia

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/zam/2006/07/16/news/sudoparim.seen.as.growth.gateway.in.asia.pacific.html

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Efforts for business and development to grow within the Surigaos-Davao Oriental Pacific Rim (Sudoparim) can be accelerated if the growth zone's strategic location for trade and investments in the Asia Pacific region is maximized.

Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) chair Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana called on key stakeholders in Sudoparim to take advantage of its geographic location in the Asia Pacific region.

"It is high time to look further and maximize our strategic location in establishing direct trade and investment linkages with our foreign neighbors like Palau," Leyretana said.

He said that with the active leadership of the private sector and the support of local government units, Sudoparim can establish markets for its goods and services in the Pacific Region, particularly in the Republic of Palau whose 20,000 population is wanting for a supply of agricultural and industrial products.

"We can overcome the misfortune of being isolated from the more advanced cities and provinces in the country by transforming this corridor into a gateway for trade, tourism and investments from our partners in the bigger Asia Pacific Rim," Leyretana said.

"The ongoing thrice weekly flight between Davao and Palau offers a great opportunity for Sudoparim stakeholders to kick off trade and investment exchange in the Pacific," he added.

The Sudoparim growth corridor was established on August 11, 1997 to accelerate economic growth in localities cutting across Caraga and Davao Regions along the Pacific Rim.

Covering 58 municipalities, one city and 926 barangays in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao City and Davao Oriental, this growth corridor is noted for its comparative advantages in the area of natural and mineral resource, agriculture, marine and fishery, mining and tourism.

However, due to geographic isolation, these areas have been confronted with high poverty incidence, inadequate infrastructure facilities and basic social services as well as low investments.

Data from the Board of Investments (BOI) show that from 2000 to 2005, Sudoparim's share of investment is only P24.4 million, representing a lone investment in Surigao del Norte.

No other investment entered within the focus area during the period despite the huge potentials sprawling across the corridor.

At the 7th Davao Business Conference held in Mati, Davao Oriental last month, local officials and business leaders are pushing to revive Sudoparim growth corridor as a mechanism to accelerate socio-economic growth by becoming a gateway for trade, tourism and investments in Mindanao.

"Notwithstanding the past, the present move to revitalize the SUDOPARIM project is a highly welcome initiative that should be supported both by the public and private sectors," Leyretana noted.

He said that through the support of the Mindanao Business Council, the cooperation initiative can once again take off to realize flagship programs and projects already identified under the Sudoparim Strategic Plan for 2000-2004 which include the concreting of the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, construction and rehabilitation of irrigation systems, construction of farm to market roads, integrated fish port development project and investment promotion programs.

Meanwhile, he said the on-going construction of the 66.652 kilometer Manay-Mati Section of the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, which is due for completion in 2007 is expected to support initiatives of revitalizing Sudoparim.

The construction of the road section has been prioritized by the national government under the updated Medium Term Philippine Development Plan for 2005-2010.

c0kelitr0

July 16th, 2006, 03:43 AM

DENR to launch green chain project in Surigao Norte

by Fryan E. Abkilan

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060711.htm&no=28

SURIGAO DEL NORTE (July 11) -– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here revealed the provincial launching of “National Highway and Thoroughfare Green Chain Project,” an ecological undertaking to be participated by all sectors of the society in the planting, care and maintenance of the assigned areas along the national highway.

To strengthen public concern toward environment protection, CENR-Officer Ulpiano Dasilao bared that the project shall be implemented in cooperation with the Local Government Units, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Public Works and Highways and various sectors. Stakeholders such as Non-Government Organizations, Philippine Jaycess, Rotary Club, Religious Sectors, Academe, government Agencies and other groups with emphasis on the spirit of social mobilization thru the “ADOPT –A – STREET/PARK” and/or Grow –A-TREE FOR LEGACY “ concept agreed to plant ornamental trees along the 126 kilometers from Brgy. Lipata, Surigao City to Alegria, Surigao del Norte and Barangay Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte to Barangay Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

The project will be launched simultaneously nationwide on July 22, 2006. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was forged just recently between the implementing agencies and the partner organizations stipulating therein specific responsibilities of all the parties. The project implementation shall also be monitored by the Green Army Brigade which will be organized in different schools in municipalities and barangays in the province. (PIA Surigao del Norte)

c0kelitr0

July 16th, 2006, 04:57 AM

Baoy, Surigao

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/60751282_5056eaaaec_o.jpg

c0kelitr0

July 18th, 2006, 01:23 PM

Chinese firm wants Surigao Norte nickel mine reopened

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=44075

HONG KONG - The shuttered Nonoc mine in Surigao del Norte province with capacity to produce 41,000 tons of nickel annually could be revived by 2008 under a new debt accord arranged by China's Jinchuan Group Ltd., the Philippine government and mine owner Philnico Industrial Corp.

Under a memorandum of understanding, the three parties agreed to a debt settlement which will allow China's largest nickel producer to speed up plans to revive the complex, a company official said on Tuesday.

He said the memorandum had been approved by the Baosteel Group, Jinchuan's partner on the Nonoc project and the China Development Bank, which would provide financing to the project.

Baosteel, China's biggest steel firm, and the bank are also shareholders of Jinchuan.

Jinchuan and Baosteel agreed to invest $1 billion to revive the Nonoc complex last April but there has been little progress since then.

Philnico has sought to settle some $300 million of debts that stemmed from the mid-1990s when the company bought Nonoc Mining from the government.

Jinchuan and Philnico are also in talks on a transfer of the mining rights, the official said.

Jinchuan and Baosteel would finalize a report to revive the Nonoc complex, another Jinchuan official said.

Baosteel, the parent of listed Baoshan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., is also China's second largest stainless steel producer after Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co. Ltd., which uses nickel as a shining and strengthening agent for the output.

Jinchuan operates China's largest nickel mine in Gansu but still needs to import raw material because of expanded capacity.

The firm aimed to produce 120,000 tons of nickel this year, out of its capacity of 150,000 tons a year, the first official said. It produced 90,100 tons last year. Reuters

c0kelitr0

July 28th, 2006, 06:15 AM

Surigao Norte holds tourism general assembly

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060727.htm&no=13

SURIGAO DEL NORTE (July 27) -- Some 200 tourism stakeholder from all over the province recently converged at the Provincial Tourism Council General Assembly held on July 13-14 at the Provincial Convention Center, this city.

The activity was graced with the presence of city Mayor Alfonso Casurra, Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, Congressman Robert Ace Barbers of the 2nd District, Robert Dean Barbers, General Manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority and Fernando Almeda, Jr., Chairman of the Provincial and Regional Tourism Councils.

Guest speakers including DOT Director Leticia Tan who were invited to grace the event shared meaningful inputs to fast track the development of the tourism industry in the province talk about 'Tourism Frontline Service Delivery', while ******* Ebron, Head of Team Korea of the (DOT), discussed on "Tourism Marketing and Promotion".

On the second day of the assembly, Dir. Edwin Trompeta of DOT Region VI presented to the provincial stakeholders the Boracay Experience, The Socio Economic, Environmental and Cultural Impact of Tourism Development while Dir. Ronaldo Tiotuico of DOT Region III talk on the significance of community participation during his lecture on "Community-Based Tourism Development Initiatives".

"The provincial government recognizes the value and importance of the stakeholders in sustaining the success of our tourism industry. For our successful provincial tourism industry strategy, the stakeholders must give their direct and meaningful participation and take the lead in all our efforts", Gov. Barbers said.

Arturo Cruje, Acting Provincial Planning and Development Officer and OIC - Provincial Tourism Officer, on the other hand, said the province's tourism programs are built on a strong industry-government partnership. "The industry's stakeholders should strive to build a successful industry so we can achieve mutual understanding and unity in our efforts", Cruje said.

Among those present in the two-day activity were the owners of the different tourism-related establishments in the city and province, provincial officials, SP members, officials from different line agencies and representatives from the academe and business sectors. The officers and members of the Provincial Tourism Council also came in full force together with the City Tourism Council and City Barangay Tourism Council. Also present were some municipal mayors and vice mayors who came with their respective Sangguniang Barangay Chairmen on Tourism, Municipal Development Planning Officers and designated Tourism Officers.

The PTC is the provincial government's partner in the effort to maintain the province as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines and further aimed to increase international arrivals and raise tourism revenues.

In a related development, PTA General Manager Dean Barbers turned-over a check amounting to Php 5M (five million pesos) for the establishment of the Tourism Assistance and Information Center for Surigao City. The ceremonial turn-over was made after he delivered his message during the PTC Assembly. According to GM Barbers, this center will be strategically located along the Boulevard or at the Luneta Park of the city, to cater the needs of domestic and foreign tourists. After the assembly, GM Barbers proceeded to the municipality of Socorro for the formal; turn-over of the Tourism Assistance Center funded by the Philippine Tourism Authority. (PPDO Special Projects/PIA Surigao del Norte)

c0kelitr0

July 28th, 2006, 06:27 AM

Mindanao's mining attracts investors

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/07/27/bus/mindanao.s.mining.attracts.investors.html

CHINESE investors believe that mining industry is the "ace" of Mindanao, the new Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Li Jinjun said in a briefing with national government officials Monday.

The Chinese envoy confirmed that there are two Chinese firms currently negotiating with the Philippine team specifically in Mindanao and are set to pour in $500 million as a start-up investment.

"Three to five years from now, we are expecting about eight Chinese companies to partner with Philippine mining companies due to the big potentials of the mining industry in this country," Li said.

China's biggest nickel company is already pouring in about $1 billion in Surigao.

Li added that there are four more Chinese investors who expressed interest of tapping Mindanao's mining resources.

Data showed that nickel reserves in Mindanao has a value of $215 billion, copper reserves with $6.49 billion, and $2.01 billion for gold. Mindanao, too, accounts 48 percent of the country's gold reserves and 83 percent for nickel.

China, seeing the potential, has started aggressive negotiations with the Philippine government most especially in some parts of Mindanao.

"However, besides promoting mining industry to Chinese investors, we also see to it that we maintain environmental protection," Li said.

He added that China will never develop mining at the expense of the environment. This has pushed both parties; from the China team as well as the Philippine team, to strictly weigh the costs and benefits of mining in particular areas in Mindanao.

"We are taking a big portion of the mining budget for environmental protection. This is a major component as we invite more Chinese investors to the Philippines," Li added.

Meanwhile, China is also eyeing Mindanao's tourism sector as it could lure more investors into the country.

The new envoy, alarmed by the decreasing number of Chinese visitors to Mindanao, is planning to drum beat information dissemination about Mindanao to be absorbed by the China market.

"I believe the reason for the decline is the lack of information of the Chinese people about Mindanao," he said.

The ambassador is also planning to create a new column of the Chinese embassy website that would show information about Mindanao.

Other potential investments in Mindanao that the envoy found attractive are the following: education, fisheries, culture, as well as agriculture.

c0kelitr0

July 28th, 2006, 06:38 AM

China eyes ‘multibillion’ investments in Mindanao

Written by Walter I. Balane /MindaNews
Wednesday, 26 July 2006

http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=519&Itemid=50

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 July) -- China is looking at potential "multibillion" investments in Mindanao, including $3 billion in mining in the next five years once cooperation is formalized in the region, Chinese ambassador Li Jinjun told reporters Tuesday. Li identified "huge business opportunities" for Mindanao in tourism, agriculture, fisheries, mining and infrastructure after Sec. Jesus Dureza, of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), and other trade and investment officials briefed him on Mindanao's peace process, the BIMP-East Asia Growth Area, and investment opportunities in Davao City and Mindanao. Li said many Chinese investors have eyed investments here but are just waiting for developments because they were worried about the "little and incorrect information" they know about Mindanao. He said China is concerned about the peace processes in Mindanao and said they are happy to see progress in the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

He said his trip has given him a complete understanding of Mindanao, and will thus start encouraging the investors to consider Mindanao once he returns to Manila. For a start, they will post a section on Mindanao in the website of the Chinese embassy.

Li, however, noted the need to prioritize which of the many opportunities China will embark on.

He said joint efforts have to be done to bring more Chinese tourists to Mindanao. He invited Mindanao's tourism industry to promote in China. He said they are looking at the Chinese tourists who will escape winter in China during the months of November to March every year.

Roberto Teo, head of Davao City's investment office, said that even if only one percent of China's 32 million tourists would come to Mindanao is already be enough. Teo gave a Powerpoint presentation on Davao City dubbed in Chinese.

From 4,503 Chinese visitors to Mindanao in 2001, the number went down to 2,952 in 2005, according to data from the Mindanao Economic Development Council.

Li stressed the need to improve tourism infrastructure to further Mindanao's tourism capacity. He encouraged a meeting between local air transportation officials and their Chinese counterparts to discuss the opening of direct flights between Chinese cities and Davao.

He also cited the possibility of Mindanao providing English language training for Chinese personnel in preparation for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"Agriculture is also an area where there is so much to improve in cooperation," Li said.

He said that with the increasing demand for coconut products in China, he is looking at encouraging Chinese businessmen to invest in planting, growing, and processing of coconuts in Mindanao. Coconut products, one of Mindanao's top exports according to MEDCo in 2005, are not among the Philippines’ top exports to China.

Li also cited the cooperation between China and the Philippines in the development of hybrid rice and corn. He said they are also looking at cooperation in deep water or marine agriculture and processing.

Li said five to eight Chinese mining firms are pouring a total of $3 billion in Mindanao in the next five years. The estimate, he said, included the $1 billion nickel mining in Nonoc, Surigao del Norte, expected to get the go signal by the end of the year. Mindanao reportedly has $215 billion worth of potential mineral reserves.

Li, however, told reporters he will not encourage mining firms to invest in Mindanao at the expense of the environment.

Li also said there is a huge potential for cooperation in infrastructure investment in Mindanao. He said many Chinese investors would be interested about the proposed light rail project in Davao and the 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Sultan Kudarat.

Romeo Serra, Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) chair, briefed Li that there are still no serious takers on the power plant project. Serra cited a report that Mindanao would experience power shortage starting in 2008 because of the increasing energy demand, that is why the plant is an important investment need for Mindanao.

Serra also asked Li to encourage investment in the poor provinces of Sulu and Tawi-tawi, which largely produce carageenan seaweeds. China is reportedly the biggest buyer of Philippine carageenan.

Li said that they could see the closer ties between China and Mindanao. It is only a matter of time, he said, that they can put up a consulate in Mindanao. Li also pledged attendance of Chinese delegations to business conferences in Mindanao this year.

According to data from MEDCo, Mindanao has a trade surplus with China. It exported at least $140 million and imported $25 million worth of commodities based on the top 10 commodities traded as of 2005. As of March this year , China is Mindanao's fourth largest export market.

mhe-ann

July 28th, 2006, 06:55 AM

Red Kite

July 29th, 2006, 12:39 AM

Hi all! I see lots of nice photos and infos on Surigao and neighbouring islands here and am very impressed! What I need though is a decent map of the area so that I can relate all these lovely places to each other and can plan on how to get to them! I cannot find any decent maps of Surigao del Norte or anywhere else in the Phills. Living in the UK we are blessed with very high detail maps.

My wife and I who has relatives in Surigao will be visiting here next january and would like to explore a lot of these lovely places!

Salamat for all the great info! :cheer:

c0kelitr0

July 30th, 2006, 01:10 PM

Burgos, Surigao

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Pacific.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/pacific2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Pacific3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/pacific4.jpg

c0kelitr0

July 30th, 2006, 01:14 PM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Pacific5.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Pacific6.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Pacific7.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Pacific8.jpg

c0kelitr0

July 30th, 2006, 01:25 PM

to the pacific...

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/hehe.jpg

Red Kite

July 30th, 2006, 06:50 PM

Whose the heroic surfer standing on the bow of that boat? :rock:

c0kelitr0

July 31st, 2006, 08:07 AM

Red Kite

July 31st, 2006, 10:34 AM

Thanks coke! I already found that map though! I'd like a good detail map of Surigao del Norte showing all the main towns and smaller islands. Most of them are very basic or only show the city of Surigao.

What's the weather like there in January? I hear it rains a lot in Surigao! :gossip:

c0kelitr0

July 31st, 2006, 10:39 AM

there's no pronounced rainy season but it does rain at least half of the 365 days ;) the weather is unpredictable. best months are march to may and august to october.

c0kelitr0

August 4th, 2006, 09:52 AM

Congratulations to

SURIGAO CITY PORT

This year's CLEANEST AND MOST CHILD-FRIENDLY in the country

mhe-ann

August 4th, 2006, 11:36 AM

child-friendly? whow!!! :applause:

Edmundtanso

August 5th, 2006, 06:20 PM

hey, edmund, ba't ndi ka nagparamdam na umuwi ka pala dito? wala kaming pasalubong tuloy. :jk:

sorry, it was a hectic visit :) brother's wedding and i was only in the philippines for a week. next year i would be back when the turnover of serendra :) i would invite you guys over..

bustero

August 9th, 2006, 03:29 AM

^^uy hapi hapi, wag kalimutan !

hey i'm going to siargao finally, any tips

c0kelitr0

August 20th, 2006, 04:18 AM

World-Class Field of Surfers Set to Converge on Unrivalled Philippine Reef-break

http://www.transworldsurf.com/surf/pressrelease/article/0,19929,1224068,00.html

“Cloud Nine -- A Hidden Jewel”

(Tuesday August 8, 2006): A relatively untouched tropical paradise in the southeast of the Philippines Archipelago is set to host an international field of world-class surfers for the Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine.

Siargao Island; a jungle-drenched jewel with its virgin beaches and warm clear waters will transform as surfers from Australia, Bali, Japan, South Africa and the USA test their skills against arguably the world’s premier right-hand tubing reef-break, the infamous “Cloud Nine”.

An the 12th annual exclusive specialty event held amidst the Philippine’s cyclic typhoon season, the Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine offers a limited round of 32 surfers the chance to compete in one of surfing’s elite arenas.

Scheduled to commence on the 26th September, 2006 and running through to the 1st October, 2006, the unique Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine boasts an astounding USD$11,000 prize purse as well as an exciting second-chance format that will ensure surfers a six-day surfing window for a mere 9 hours of competition surfing. As a result, surfers will be given optimal surfing conditions to test their tube-riding prowess.

Due to Cloud Nine’s proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest water in the world to create flawless hollow barrelling waves.

Last year’s event didn’t disappoint, setting the scene for some of the most memorable competitive surfing ever-seen in the Philippines with Typhoon Lawagon providing competitors with perfect 4-6ft reeling tubes.

2005 event runner-up Josh Fuller (Cabarita, NSW, Australia) described last year’s event as, “the best surfing event I have ever been involved in and the best surf trip I have ever been on.”

Similarly, Dayyan Neve (Manly, Sydney, Aus), who presently leads the arduous 2006 World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings after his impressive runner-up finish at the Mr Price Pro, South Africa, holds a comparable bond with the notorious break.

“Last year’s event goes down as perhaps my most enjoyable surfing experience,” explained Neve.

“It was not only made better by the quality of the waves, but how the event organizers maximized the best conditions for competitors.”

“Cloud Nine begins as an A-frame peak, but once it hits the reef it funnels off into one of the world’s supreme right-hand tubes. I can’t wait for September to come around!”

2003 winner and 2004 event runner-up, Mark Mathews (Maroubra, Sydney, Aus) has had a long-standing ‘bittersweet’ relationship with the reeling reef-break of “Cloud Nine”, enjoying a string of emphatic competitive victories at the same time as feeling the wrath of its shallow reef.

Mathews was forced to withdraw from last year’s event due to a horrific wipe-out incurred during a free-surfing session at the famed right-hander. The world-renowned charger was just inches away from making yet another deep barrel when a solid 6-ft chunk of raw ocean swell drove him off his board into the shallow reef below, resulting in a broken foot and shattering his dream of claiming yet another win at Cloud Nine.

Renowned Balinese surfers Wayan “Betet” Merta, Mustofa Jeksen, and Tipi Jabrik will also travel to the neighbouring Philippines to contest the six-day specialty event and will no push the performance levels of the international field.

“The Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine is such a unique event held in an amazing location” stated Brad Cunningham, Marketing and Sales Manager, Quiksilver SE Asia. “The level of support received from the surfers is a testament to the quality of both the event and the hospitality extended by the people of the Philippines- we are just stoked to be a part of this”.

The "Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine” is proudly supported by the Philippines Government of Surigao Del Norte and the Philippines Department of Tourism.

bustero

August 28th, 2006, 12:43 PM

Just came back from this place and must say this place is absolutely amazing. Made me so happy to be Filipino living in a country as beautiful as this. A bit of an investment in time and money to get to but otherwise truly paradise.

c0kelitr0

September 28th, 2006, 06:14 AM

Surigao City Street Scenes

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1660.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1661.jpg

c0kelitr0

September 28th, 2006, 06:22 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1665.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1667.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1668.jpg

c0kelitr0

September 28th, 2006, 06:40 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1669.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1670.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1671.jpg

c0kelitr0

September 28th, 2006, 07:02 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1674.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1676.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1677.jpg

c0kelitr0

September 28th, 2006, 07:05 AM

Surigao City Hall

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1675.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1678.jpg

c0kelitr0

September 28th, 2006, 07:10 AM

more street scenes...

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1679.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1680.jpg

c0kelitr0

September 28th, 2006, 07:11 AM

Soon to rise...

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1664.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1662.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1663.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 1st, 2006, 03:52 AM

Surigao Bus Terminal

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/100_1782.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/100_1784.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/100_1785.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 1st, 2006, 04:10 AM

Surigao City Port
2006 Winner
Cleanest and Most Child-Friendly Port

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1694.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1693.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1361.jpg
this passenger terminal is equipt with an X-ray machine for checking baggages much like those used in airports

c0kelitr0

October 1st, 2006, 04:43 AM

Surigao del Norte Provincial Capitol Complex

Main Hall
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1682.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1683.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1684.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1685.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1686.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 1st, 2006, 04:45 AM

Surigao Provincial Convention Center

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1681.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1688.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1687.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 1st, 2006, 04:46 AM

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Bldg.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1690.jpg

Provincial Agriculture Office

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1691.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 2nd, 2006, 10:25 AM

Orcollo Takes World Pool League Title

http://www.insidepoolmag.com/billiard-tour-news/orcollo-takes-world-pool-league-title/content/view/3963/76

Dennis Orcollo, the 27 year-old billiards player from Surigao City, Philippines is the 2006 PartyCasino.com World Pool League Champion as he overcame Holland billiard player Niels Feijen in an entertaining final at the NOT Building in central Warsaw on Sunday evening.

The diminutive Orcollo, had played well throughout the three day, six-man tournament and was a deserved winner of the US$20,000 top prize.

He joins the likes of Jim Rempe, Efren Reyes, Thorsten Hohmann, Rodney Morris and Francisco Bustamante as winners of this coveted invitational trophy.

Both players strode into the full arena with an air of determination and with the format now winner breaks it was Feijen who won the lag and nicely cleared the table to take the early lead.

Orcollo squared it though and stole the break as he set up a run out from an excellent long cut on the 2 ball.

Orcollo took the lead in the next and he looked very confident moving the cue ball around the table. There was more of the same in the fourth rack as Orcollo ran out from the break to increase his lead to 3-1.

Feijen regained the table when Orcollo pushed out and left enough of the 1 ball visible for the Dutchman to pot it. He took it on and set up a run out to reduce the lead to a single rack.

A good break from Feijen left him with no pot on the 1 ball though, and he played a snooker. Orcollo managed to connect with the 1 but failed to hit a rail, giving ball in hand. Feijen made no mistakes as he cleared up to level the match at 3-3.

Feijen potted a ball off the break but his safety on the 1 ball was weak and it allowed Orcollo to tuck the cue ball behind the 3 ball. Niels’ escape left the 1 conveniently positioned for Orcollo who potted it to set up a run out. Disastrously though, he missed the green 6 down the rail and Feijen grabbed the chance to dish up the final three balls to regain the lead.

There was no joy for Feijen off his next break and he was forced to push out with the brown 7 obscuring the 1 ball. His push down table was badly weighted and the cue ball seemed to roll off into the pocket to give Orcollo a gift of ball in hand. He didn’t hesitate to run the table to square the match.

There was another ball in hand opportunity in the ninth as Feijen potted the 1 ball but scratched into the middle pocket. The Filipino speedily dispatched the table to take the lead at 5-4.

There was more of the same from Orcollo in the tenth game as he broke and run to put a two rack margin between himself and Feijen.

Orcollo pushed out in the next frame and Feijen got the better of the safety battle. Desperately needing it, Feijen cleared the table to reduce the deficit to 6-5.

The Dutchman pushed out in the next, potting the 2 ball with the yellow 1 obscured. Orcollo clearly liked the situation as he banked the 1 ball into the middle pocket to set up a run out to reach the hill at 7-5.

There was no joy for Orcollo in the next as the 1 ball was blocked out by the 8, forcing him to push out. With a kick shot on the 1 ball the only option, Feijen put him back in and Orcollo left a very tough long pot on the 1 ball for the Dutchman. Feijen missed it and the Filipino deftly caromed the 1 in off the 9.

Just when luck was needed, Orcollo enjoyed probably the biggest slice all week as the 9 ball rolled over the middle pocket leaving the 2 in easy position for the combo.

The 26 year-old stepped up to the plate to sink the match winning 2/9 combination to claim the 2006 PartyCasino.com World Pool League title.

Orcollo leapt with delight at his victory, whooping and dancing around the table as the capacity crowd rose to their feet.

An emotional Orcollo said, ‘I’d like to thank the Philippines community in Warsaw for coming out and supporting me.

“This victory is very, very big for me, I can hardly speak. I’d like to dedicate this win to the people of the Philippines,” he added.

Feijen commented, “I was playing good all week but Dennis had too much for me tonight. It was a great game though.”

c0kelitr0

October 2nd, 2006, 12:49 PM

QUIKSILVER OPEN CLOUD 9

Winner - Ryan Hipwood

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/RyanHipwood.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/tube.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 12th, 2006, 04:43 AM

more street scene...

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1350.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1355.jpg

mhe-ann

October 13th, 2006, 06:56 AM

^^ ok na place, panget lang nung mga wires.

sorry, it was a hectic visit :) brother's wedding and i was only in the philippines for a week. next year i would be back when the turnover of serendra :) i would invite you guys over..

cge. promise mo yan. :D hintayin namin.

Edmundtanso

October 14th, 2006, 03:46 AM

JUst want to share some pictures i took during my visit to Surigao this year.
http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/73156797-M.jpg
http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/73156836-M.jpg
http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/73156852-M.jpg
http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/73156858-M.jpg
http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/73156860-M.jpg
http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/74565817-M.jpg

deheni

October 14th, 2006, 04:50 AM

Ang galing! galing! ng pictures!

Edmundtanso

October 14th, 2006, 06:14 AM

thanks...

Mond87

October 14th, 2006, 06:24 AM

S U R I G A O -----------------------------can't wait to get there...

Mond87

October 14th, 2006, 06:29 AM

Boy, this mall looks like " Pinakamababang Paaralan ng Togbongon". They should not build this on the boulevard but rather somewhere in the hinterlands. What a setback for Surigao. It's outright ugly!

I beg to disagree... that mall looks beautiful... heheh... it faces the sea and the boulevard that makes it look stunning and unique! :)

c0kelitr0

October 15th, 2006, 04:11 AM

some pics i took last september 22-30...

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1443.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1447.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1650.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1518.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1517.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 15th, 2006, 04:20 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1695-1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/000_0020-1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1701.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1705.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1706.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 15th, 2006, 04:28 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1698.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1708.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1700.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1707.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1709.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 15th, 2006, 04:36 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1697-1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1718.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1702.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/112_1711.jpg

c0kelitr0

October 19th, 2006, 09:20 AM

This year's Philippine Chamber of Commerce's

MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITIES

Only 3 cities from Mindanao

1. Koronadal
2. Surigao
3. Butuan

iring_na_lalaki

October 25th, 2006, 02:40 PM

Hello together!

It's my first time writing in this forum... I coincidently found it while searching for "Mt Redondo" near Loreto, Dinagat Island. I'm presently planning my 4th visit to Surigao... :-)

I've been keeping up a website about Surigao City for quite a while now and I noticed that there are lots of photos published in this forum, some "borrowed" from other sites etc., wonder if I could use some of those? As I've been searching for useful infos and photos for my website I'd be happy for any contribution and suggestions.

Please give it a try at www.surigao-city.de

Thank you very much and regards from Germany,
Jorge

Sinjin P.

October 25th, 2006, 03:04 PM

^ Welcome to Skyscrapercity Philippines :wave:

c0kelitr0

October 29th, 2006, 03:45 AM

c0kelitr0

November 5th, 2006, 10:13 AM

Nonoc nickel mines in Surigao to re-open soon, says Bunye

By Joel Guinto
INQ7.net
Last updated 04:12pm (Mla time) 10/28/2006

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=29277

JIANGXI -- The Philippine government is optimistic that a mothballed nickel mine in the southern Philippines will resume operations soon, with a Chinese firm set to provide a one-billion-dollar dollar technical assistance to its operator, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's spokesman said Saturday.

Late Friday, Arroyo witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between China's Jinchuan Corp and the Philippines' Philnico Industrial Corp for the one-billion-dollar assistance, Bunye said.

The presidential spokesman said Jinchuan Corp asked for accreditation as a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) company and sought assistance from local government officials in Surigao Del Norte province, where the Nonoc nickel mines are located.

"These are the two major requests and both of them were assured by the [Philippine] government," Bunye said.

"After having been mothballed for quite a number of years, we are very optimistic about the resumption of operations," he added.

Bunye said the Nonoc mines will be the biggest single Chinese investment in the Philippines.

Arroyo is on the second day of his five day China visit, aimed at strengthening ties between the Philippines and China.

kevinb

November 28th, 2006, 12:37 PM

@Fhoy: How do you manage your time? You're in Manila and yet you can take photos of Surigao? That's so great! Lagi kang nagta-travel!:lol: Pwede sumama sa Surigao next time? Gusto ko pumunta dun eh. Surfing!

JasminJamero

November 29th, 2006, 02:50 AM

I've been there once and it's really great, beauty i rarely see.

kevinb

November 29th, 2006, 07:12 AM

^^ So did my friend say. I want to go swimming and tanning and surfing and hunting there!:D Hunting?:naughty:

c0kelitr0

December 3rd, 2006, 05:01 AM

@kevin, i own a jet! :lol: :jk:

took those last september.

Animo

January 5th, 2007, 07:48 AM

SURIGAO CITY -- Inspired by Singapore's first World status, the local leadership in Dinagat Island said it is aiming to transform their province into a little Singapore someday.

Surigao del Norte Provincial Board Member Elvis Dela Merced said this after being recommended as Interim Vice Governor by the Dinagat Island Association of Local Government Units (DIALGU) composed of seven municipal mayors and vice mayors, seventy municipal councilors and more than 1,000 barangay officials.

Other interim officials endorsed by DIALGU in their letter recommendation submitted to President Arroyo recently were; Geraldine Ecleo Villaroman, daughter of Surigao del Norte First District Representative Glenda Ecleo as interim Governor and eight interim Provincial Board Members most of them are current and former Dinagat local officials.

Dela Merced claimed they will tap the island's rich natural, marine and agricultural resources into sustainable development not only to liberate the island from poverty but to become one of the most progressive island province in the country.

She said the island has the biggest species of prawns or high value fishery products, a soon to be developed cassava plantation deemed the biggest in Mindanao and rich ore deposits of nickel and platinum.

Dela Merced claimed that aside from rich natural resources, Dinagat Island has also the rich manpower resources waiting to be tapped.

She said manpower development has been their priority program and they launched a project called "One Family, One OFW" for technical jobs.

"This means every family in Dinagat at least one family member or OFW working in various tech-voc jobs abroad," Dela Merced continued.

"This is to give them experience and bring home that knowledge from other countries for the benefit of the island through transfer technology," Dela Merced said.

Ongoing projects

The officials lauded President Arroyo for giving priority to Dinagat Island 's 94 kilometers P200-M nodal road concreting project, which will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga Regional Office.

Dela Merced said the P200 million road concreting project will connect all seven in municipalities cutting across Dinagat Island from end to end, which has a total distance of 94 kilometers and is expected to be finished by 2009.

Caraga DPWH Regional Director Romeo Momo confirmed to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that the project will be implemented by first quarter next year 2007.

Other Official Development Assistance (ODA) foreign funded projects on-going for Dinagat island are the P200 million Mega Port Project, the Waha Port in Basilisa town to be implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communications and funded by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

"The port if finished will help Dinagat farmers, fisherfolk, fishpond growers for Baghak Banagan which look like giant shrimps shipped their products to other ports in the country", Dela Merced said.

Also in the pipeline are the P400 million Solar Power Technology Project funded by the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional or the Spanish Government Agency for International Cooperation.

President Arroyo has also included Dinagat Island as priority project recipient in the P3 billion Agrarian Reform Community Development Program.

The P500-million project includes development of different integrated ports within Dinagat, Farm to Market Roads, construction of School Buildings, Health Centers and Agri-Enterprises.

The project is being implemented by MINSSAD and funded by JBIC, Dela Merced said.

"President Arroyo even visited the island last June 17, 2005 during the 14th CARP Anniversary to see to it MINSSAD projects will be implemented accordingly," Dela Merced said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2006/12/27/bus/dinagat.isle.aims.to.be.a.singapore..html

dinabaw

January 5th, 2007, 02:10 PM

WOW GANDA ng SURIGAO ... a SURE GO sa SURIGAO :okay:

philbern

February 24th, 2007, 12:59 AM

I'm planning to build a boutique hotel in mainland Surigao within the next 2 years. This future project is currently on the feasibility study phase with tentative number of rooms between 25-50. Does anyone have stats on the tourist arrivals in the province and clientele profile of hotels in and around the city? Thanks.

c0kelitr0

February 25th, 2007, 05:11 AM

wow, it's been a long time that i have not updated this thread. :D

Lanuza, Surigao del Sur

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Lanuza.jpg

c0kelitr0

February 25th, 2007, 05:23 AM

Bonok-Bonok Festival

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Bonok-Bonok.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Bonok-Bonok2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Bonok3.jpg

TONZI

February 27th, 2007, 11:56 AM

nice pics from bonok bonok festival which also falls on my birthday September 9!

TONZI

February 27th, 2007, 12:03 PM

nice pics from surigao city!!!

ikra

February 27th, 2007, 08:52 PM

bohol is in my list, surigao next lol...

Jarenz

June 6th, 2007, 10:42 AM

Rasputin

June 8th, 2007, 10:11 AM

Abi nakog Boracay katong time nga wala pa cya na develop... LOL.

Jarenz

June 14th, 2007, 05:31 AM

in 2nd and 4th pic theres a similarity in Boracay

g0Rs

June 21st, 2007, 06:04 PM

Ganda ng beach... ang linis

red_jasper

June 22nd, 2007, 01:28 PM

wow, it's been a long time that i have not updated this thread. :D

Lanuza, Surigao del Sur

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Lanuza.jpg

^^ ^^ ^^ VERY NICE PIC!^^ ^^ ^^

kano_love_surigaonon

June 28th, 2007, 09:26 PM

hi coke,

I wish you took picture of the Naked Island too.

ikra

June 28th, 2007, 10:52 PM

Abi nakog Boracay katong time nga wala pa cya na develop... LOL.

lets HOPE that they keep it that way

c0kelitr0

July 11th, 2007, 04:18 AM

Big projects in Surigao bared

Nat' gov't to spend P327 B for Super Region Projects

from Manila Bulletin, July 11, 2007 page 15

paragraph 6
MEDCo identified the multi-billion projects in Surigao del Norte and this city [Surigao City] as the Development of Special Economic Zone of the Philnico Estate, Energization of the Far-flung Barangays, Establishment and Development of a new Urban Center in Surigao City, Establishment of an Environmental Research Center in Surigao State College of Technology, Establishment of Mamanwa Eco-Village, Integrated Tourism Development Program, and Lake Mainit Circumferential Road.

On the same occasion, Director Delia Capiseño of DOTC reported the latest development in the Siargao Airport Development Project. As of March, this year, the project had an accomplishment of 71.84% and is expected to be completed this year.

Officials of the DPWH central office also announced the Siargao Island Circumferential Road Project which involves the concreting of the 82.689-km strategic road sections along the SICR.

The NEDA also proposed projects that will boost the tourism industry of the province such as the Siargao Island Ecotourism Development Project (Suhoton Park) in Suhoton, Surigao del Norte and the Siargao Eco-Tourism Park in Siargao Island

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Peacenotwar

August 13th, 2007, 07:20 PM

Hello to this group ! I am a new member and could use the direction of anyone on this list. I am intending on visiting Surigao City from September 7- October 7, 2007 and am looking for a comfortable place to stay for the month. Does anyone have any suggestions.....on where to stay...and the cost. Thank you

filino

August 28th, 2007, 08:02 AM

there are many hotels under construction now in surigao city. time come, dili nata maglisod pagpangita ug hotel, hinoon maglibog nata ug asa ta. but when you choose near in the heart of the city, theres always Gateway Hotel which has now a swimming pool and Hotel Tavern which is under renovation now but still open but all guests. its restuarants and bars is city's best. most of the hotels under onstruction is a little bit far from the city. three hotels under construction are at Brgy. Mabua. and maharlika resort is now under renovation which is also under new management converting it into three star hotel.

filino

August 28th, 2007, 08:06 AM

FYI: jollibee is planning to open its second branch at surigao city and just recently Mister Donut opened its first restaurant. SRBC Restaurant is soon to open. it is at the Boulevard overlooking the surigao straight.

luisame

August 30th, 2007, 02:37 AM

Big projects in Surigao bared

Nat' gov't to spend P327 B for Super Region Projects

from Manila Bulletin, July 11, 2007 page 15

paragraph 6

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

i would like to ask more info on the development of new urban center of surigao. any info please!!

filino

August 30th, 2007, 03:47 AM

WELCOME TO SURIGAO CITY

THE CITY OF ISLAND ADVENTURES

if you heard any latest news on surigao city developments please post it here...... many suriganon would like to know......

GearX

August 30th, 2007, 04:16 AM

I think we should rename this thread as Siargao and Dinagat....there's another (new) thread for Surigao City. Mods to kindly transfer posts for Surigao City to that thread started by Filino.

GearX

August 30th, 2007, 04:19 AM

Most of the developments for Surigao are posted in the Surigao Islands thread. Link below.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=236129

Ex!lE

August 30th, 2007, 03:40 PM

anong pinaka magandang buwan magpunta sa Siargao Is.?:)

jameslab8470

September 1st, 2007, 02:25 PM

cooL! it's about time Surigao city having its OWN thead now... way to go filino! make surigaonons proud.

calling surgaonons. posts na!

Rajah_Soliman

September 2nd, 2007, 01:32 AM

enticing thread... but where the hell is Surigao :lol: is Butuan in Surigao or so? ... it would be appreciated if you could post key data here .... :cheers:

davaoeagle

September 2nd, 2007, 02:03 AM

The one thing I love about this city is seafood, seafood, seafood. The problem though was it was so hard to find nice restaurants around. I wish it's a different story now.

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 07:34 AM

enticing thread... but where the hell is Surigao :lol: is Butuan in Surigao or so? ... it would be appreciated if you could post key data here .... :cheers:

surigao city is in caraga region no. 13. it is the capital of surigao del norte the Philippines Surfing Capital. it is one of the most important city in region 13. surigao city is the home of renown BONOK-BONOK FESTIVAL. it is the home of worls biggest nickel deposits and the host of amazing ecotourism destinations. it is the gateway to the world famous surfing destination in the country which is cloud 9. a small yet world class city. once voted as one of asia's most livable city, if im not mistaken it was in the year 2005.

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 07:52 AM

The one thing I love about this city is seafood, seafood, seafood. The problem though was it was so hard to find nice restaurants around. I wish it's a different story now.

i dont kow what year you visited the city. but today, tavern hotel which is now known as hotel tavern is now a home of good restaurants and bars. aside from that, Phil. Gateway Hotel also offers good foods. there are several hotels which is still under construction around the city. some of them already opened its doors. so when your in the city, it's a little different now. some of them owns by korean and american investors. SRBC restaurant located at City boulivard is still underconstruction. it is beside the proposed SRBC Mall.

MtApoStandard

September 2nd, 2007, 07:59 AM

enticing thread... but where the hell is Surigao :lol: is Butuan in Surigao or so? ... it would be appreciated if you could post key data here .... :cheers:
butuan is the seat of government of caraga region. the regions capital. surigao city is capital of the province of sur del norte

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 08:02 AM

a new hotel resort located at brgy. day-asan is already open. it offers wide variety of live\fresh seafoods. all you have to do is to choose and pick.

almont hotel is set to open a 3 star hotel in the city at brgy. lipata, surigao city. since surigao city is sorrounded by beatiful beaches most of the hotels are located near the beach. three brand new hotels, one is already open and the two is still under construction which is own by a korean investor is located at mabua beach at brgy. mabua. Phil. Gateway Hotel added some amenities to cater the needs of its growing clients.

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 08:13 AM

i have lots of new pix here around surigao city. but unfortunately i dont know how to post it. i hope somebody could teach me, so i can share it with you.

IAMME

September 2nd, 2007, 08:17 AM

i have lots of new pix here around surigao city. but unfortunately i dont know how to post it. i hope somebody could teach me, so i can share it with you.
This should help.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=458527 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=458527)

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 08:56 AM

inside the surigao city cathedral:
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6287/08312007001hd4.th.jpg (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=08312007001hd4.jpg)

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 08:58 AM

ohhhhs now i finally made it. but IAMME can i make it bigger?

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 09:17 AM

welcom to surigao city, the city of island adventure:
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6287/08312007001hd4.th.jpg (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=08312007001hd4.jpg)

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 09:55 AM

sorry this is my first time to post:
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/8929/08312007002ji7.th.jpg (http://img162.imageshack.us/my.php?image=08312007002ji7.jpg)

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 10:11 AM

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/4951/08312007003ut5.th.jpg (http://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=08312007003ut5.jpg)

filino

September 2nd, 2007, 10:33 AM

those were some of the pix i've taken thru my celfon. ill post some of it next time

regjeex

September 2nd, 2007, 12:24 PM

those were some of the pix i've taken thru my celfon. ill post some of it next time

YAHOOOO... At last meron na rin Thread ang Surigao. Guys from Butuan POST na kayo sa the so called WORLD CLASS CITY. :banana: :banana:

regjeex

September 2nd, 2007, 12:29 PM

enticing thread... but where the hell is Surigao :lol: is Butuan in Surigao or so? ... it would be appreciated if you could post key data here .... :cheers:

Mura man kag dili taga MINDANAO oi. :bash: I think all of us guys who went to College have subject HISTORY.. maybe absent ka at that day!!! joke joke... PEACE Brother... Pre ang Butuan is part ng Agusan which is a regional center of CARAGA as what James mentioned. And Surigao is a Capital of Surigao del Norte. Which is part ng MINDANAO.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 02:13 AM

YAHOOOO... At last meron na rin Thread ang Surigao. Guys from Butuan POST na kayo sa the so called WORLD CLASS CITY. :banana: :banana:

hehehe wala lang tay patama-ay bro ha, but anyway thank you for your explanation where butuan and surigao are located. hope you can post some of surigao's pix if you have. welcome to this thread!!

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 02:15 AM

Mura man kag dili taga MINDANAO oi. :bash: I think all of us guys who went to College have subject HISTORY.. maybe absent ka at that day!!! joke joke... PEACE Brother... Pre ang Butuan is part ng Agusan which is a regional center of CARAGA as what James mentioned. And Surigao is a Capital of Surigao del Norte. Which is part ng MINDANAO.

hahaha korekorekoreko!!!! asa kaha pud nang davao no?

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 02:18 AM

Montery Meatshop. Surigao City

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7894/08312007005vu7.th.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=08312007005vu7.jpg)

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7894/08312007005vu7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>

davaoeagle

September 3rd, 2007, 02:24 AM

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 02:29 AM

^^

Hey bud, it seems that you're having trouble posting your nice photos here. I am one of those who are eager at seeing more of the goings -on in your booming city of Surigao. Check out this thread for more tips...http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=458527

yeah, and i really appreciate for your help. its my first time to post a photo. sorry for that, even me im not happy for it. hahahaha. i'll try the link you provided anyway

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 02:44 AM

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8945/08312007009nf1.jpg

davaoeagle

September 3rd, 2007, 02:59 AM

^^

That's more like it. Cool!

Can you try redo the other photos there? Thanks

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 03:20 AM

^^

That's more like it. Cool!

Can you try redo the other photos there? Thanks

ok, im trying to upload all the pix i've posted. anyway thanx for your help.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 03:27 AM

i just want to clarify this, being a world class is being voted as one of asia's best. and this not only covers of what intrustructures projects the city may have but it is more on the quality of living and the quality of environment. as the award states that one of asia's most livable city. how could you be a world class if you're living in a polluted city right? livable ba ang polluted city? many highly urbanize city na truely urbanize gyud as in TRUE gyud na higly urbanize like CDO, DAVAO, BAGUIO, CEBU, PALAWAN, etc. and yet the quality of living of being in a green environment is still there. they are responsible enough to there environment. well, i guess this will clarify na everything, this furom is for everybody most especially those who wish to visit surigao city.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 03:41 AM

surigao city is just a small city in caraga region no. 13. but look what we've got even dili me highly urbanize:

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7752/08312007002ms4.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4625/08312007003xy7.jpg

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/2127/08312007005ge9.jpg

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/7708/08312007007pe0.jpg

IMG]http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2488/08312007004dw7.jpg[/IMG]

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1811/08312007019di3.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7283/08312007018ii1.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2176/08312007007kd2.jpg

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/2120/08312007008xi9.jpg

these pix were taken just thru my cellphone. sorry dili kaayo nindot pagkakuha sa mga pix.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 03:45 AM

ug daghan pang mga big name restaurants nga naa na sa city. wala pa lang ko mga pix nga nakuha. anyway i'll post it right away ug naa nko makuha.

davaoeagle

September 3rd, 2007, 04:00 AM

GearX

September 3rd, 2007, 04:04 AM

Surigao forumers should post here their major industries such as PICOP, numerous mining firms et.al.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 04:27 AM

^^

There's more resto chains now obviouly..cool!

That's a treat there Filino. That area within the Seaport looked nice when I was there too. Have any photo/s? What about Lake Mainit?

Another question- Has the hotel near the seaport (the name escapes me!) undergone renovation yet? I was there in 2002 and the building needed to be spruced up badly. We chose to stay there for its proximity to the port where we had to take the fast ferry to Siargao.

it was previously called The Tavern Hotel. but now medyo nag change management sila, they changed the name to HOTEL TAVERN (hehe gibali lang) but the name now is medyo social right? anyway such hotel is now in renovation but still open for guests and bookings. Hotel Tavern now hosts the best restaurants and bars in the the city. i'll take pix on that soon. it is located at the city boulevard near the proposed SRBC Mall. and along the city boulevard you can now find a number of bars. it is the portion of the city that never sleeps.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 04:28 AM

Surigao forumers should post here their major industries such as PICOP, numerous mining firms et.al.

PICOP is located at Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 04:29 AM

but anyway, pix of those mining companies within surigao city and the whole province will be posted here soon

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 04:36 AM

the city streets of surigao. the streets was closed due to the grand parade as the city celebrates its 37th charter day:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7186/08312007023oh6.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/1054/08312007022sd4.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2594/08312007025mm9.jpg

more to come.........promise!!!!

davaoeagle

September 3rd, 2007, 07:04 AM

it was previously called The Tavern Hotel. but now medyo nag change management sila, they changed the name to HOTEL TAVERN (hehe gibali lang) but the name now is medyo social right? anyway such hotel is now in renovation but still open for guests and bookings. Hotel Tavern now hosts the best restaurants and bars in the the city. i'll take pix on that soon. it is located at the city boulevard near the proposed SRBC Mall. and along the city boulevard you can now find a number of bars. it is the portion of the city that never sleeps.

Thanks for the update.:cheers:

dinabaw

September 3rd, 2007, 07:08 AM

davaoeagle

September 3rd, 2007, 07:20 AM

The always had clean streets since then. Even their seaport is way out of the usual environment you see in the country.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 08:26 AM

wow clean street, i havenever been to Surigao City thanks @filino:cheers:

you must visit us. surigao is a city of island adventures. if the heart of the city is not enough for you, then its islands will surely show you everthing.

filino

September 3rd, 2007, 08:37 AM

The alwasy had clean streets since then. Even their seaport is way out of the usual environment you see in the country.

for me, its one of the best and cleanest ports in the country. in caraga region, no one can match its beauty. a port na murag park.

paulkrps

September 3rd, 2007, 12:01 PM

you must visit us. surigao is a city of island adventures. if the heart of the city is not enough for you, then its islands will surely show you everthing.

adto na dinabaw. the last time i was in surigao was 1990 i think. we where on the way to manila via philtranco kaso, but unfortunately there was a storm so we got stuck.

i have good memories of surigao, eating kinilaw there was one of them. the travel from lake mainit to surigao was i think a very scenic best.

Rajah_Soliman

September 3rd, 2007, 03:40 PM

thanks ... there are compelling reasons to give this city a "most livable city" title.. the pictures speak for themselves... :cheers:

the city streets of surigao. the streets was closed due to the grand parade as the city celebrates its 37th charter day:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7186/08312007023oh6.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/1054/08312007022sd4.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2594/08312007025mm9.jpg

more to come.........promise!!!!

filino

September 4th, 2007, 02:08 AM

thanks ... there are compelling reasons to give this city a "most livable city" title.. the pictures speak for themselves... :cheers:

yes, as i've said, being voted as asia's best or one of asia's most livable city doesnt mean na you must have this all infrastructure projects but its more on the quality of living away from those pollution, etc. i just hope that people from other places visiting in this furom should understand the essence why this city, inspite of its size was declared one of the most livable city in asia in the ranks of singapore, osaka, davao, cebu a few to mention.

filino

September 4th, 2007, 04:00 AM

helooooooo.....heres more of city's streets..........

a road going out from the city
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/5574/09032007dk5.jpg

going downtown
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/3006/09032007001fl5.jpg

front of caraga regional hospital
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/618/09032007002ii3.jpg

one of the busy sts of surigao
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/456/09032007003av1.jpg

beside st. paul university (surigao and caraga's first university declared March 20, 2004)
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/838/09032007004zb3.jpg

st. paul university the first university in surigao city and caraga region No. 13
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/1948/09042007002tk4.jpg

second branch of mister donut (beside metro bank)
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7449/09032007005qy9.jpg

the city park...at the heart of the city
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/4720/09032007006xu1.jpg

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/4282/09032007009cj7.jpg

heart of the city (downtown area)
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/1355/09032007007am1.jpg

rizal-borromeo sts....
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/572/09032007008dl0.jpg

san nicolas st......(with jolibee and a side view of st. paul university)
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/9821/09032007010wz5.jpg

going to city public market at rush hours
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3412/09032007011vb9.jpg

front of city cathedral (always busy as ever...attn: traffic enforcers)
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5562/09032007012mf6.jpg

the city cathedral (san nicolas de tolentino chruch)
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8101/09032007013va7.jpg

san nicolas st...
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9702/09032007014oo2.jpg

front of st. paul university & jollibee (i guess it's the biggest jollibee in caraga if not in mindanao and in terms of sales top 5 yan in whole philippines and always yan ha!)
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/9771/09032007015sa8.jpg

city terminal (a view from the exit portion)
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2876/09042007hb4.jpg

city terminal (lisod mag picture oi, maulaw man gud ko hahaha)
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5710/09042007001ix6.jpg

kapuya oi, cant believed i've done it, murag gyud ko ug torista. hahahaha

GearX

September 4th, 2007, 04:10 AM

Surigao town boosts bid as surfing capital

WHILE the flow of tourists to the surfing town of Lanuza in Surigao del Sur remains slow, the opening of an airstrip in the neighboring town of Madrid is seen as a big boost to the tourism revenues of the entire area.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Philip Pichay said Lanuza, which faces the Pacific Ocean, has great waters ideal for surfing and a good number of Australian, American, Japanese and Korean tourists have already discovered the area, but the flow of tourists is hampered by the area’s inaccessibility.

Pichay said his brother, former Rep. Prospero Pichay, tried to remedy the situation by pushing for the construction of the airport at Madrid, and the incumbent congressman hopes it will boost the area’s bid to rival Siargao in the neighboring province of Surigao del Norte as the country’s surfing capital.

“Before, tourists who want to go to Lanuza had to go to Cebu, Butuan or Davao, where they get land or water transport to bring them there,” the incumbent lawmaker said. “Now, there will be direct flights.”

Although the airport can only accommodate small aircraft carrying a handful of people, Pichay said he hopes the airport will be completed before the end of the year, just in time for the 5th national surfing open that is scheduled to be held there in November.

He said the Philippine Tourism Authority has provided over P3 million so that the airport is completed in time for the tilt.

“The new airport will raise revenues for Lanuza and nearby towns and for local residents,” said Pichay. “With surfing being alive in Lanuza, business will thrive in the city.”

Aside from surfing, the Lanuza area also boasts of ecotourism destinations, like the Lanuza Marine Park and Sanctuary, Magkawas Falls, Lanuza Wetland Park and Mangrove Forest and Campamento Caves. Macon Ramos-Araneta

filino

September 4th, 2007, 04:13 AM

DAYDREAM LAGUNA RESORT
Luxury Riverside Accomodation & Teppanyaki Restaurant

Naa nay bag-o nga resort hotel ang syudad sa Surigao. Usa ka Opening ug Blessing ang gihimo niadtong biyernes, Agosto 3 didto sa Brgy. Day-asan, ang Day Dream Laguna Resort. Gitambongan kini ni Mayor Pons Casurra, Kagawad Nilo Aldonza ug Kagawad Carlos Gorgod.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4104/daydreamlagunaresortdayhx2.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9003/daydreamlagunaresortdayjl1.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2862/daydreamlagunaresortdayyc8.jpg

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/6766/daydreamlagunaresortdaysp8.jpg

this is the resort that i told you guyz na if you need a fresh seafoods all you have to do is choose and pick then ipaluto dajon according to your taste daw hehehe

filino

September 4th, 2007, 04:30 AM

the Philippine Gateway Hotel
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/3682/gatewayhoteliilj2.jpg

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/8320/gatewayhotelsurigaocityrm8.jpg

the Garden Pavillon Hotel (just one of thier cottages)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/655/pavillionfk7.jpg

filino

September 4th, 2007, 04:51 AM

watch out for this year's

BONOK-BONOK FESTIVAL 2007

September 10, 2007

pix of some previous contingents:

contigent from pampanga luzon:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/1208/pampangabonokpl1.jpg

pic from other contigents:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3568/maradjao3fp0.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8656/maradjao2lr7.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9285/maradjao1aj2.jpg

butuan city is one of the confirmed contingent for this year's festival.

davaoeagle

September 4th, 2007, 06:45 AM

filino

September 4th, 2007, 06:49 AM

one of the best island resort in the city: Basul Island

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/5918/basulbeachno8.jpg

filino

September 4th, 2007, 06:57 AM

mc donalds future location:
http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/2342/09042007007sz7.jpg

mercury drug second branch:
http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/7320/09042007006rm0.jpg

surigao sports complex which is now under renovation/construction. once finished it will be the most modern sports complex in the region and one of the best in mindanao (rubberized race trcts and one of the biggest gym)
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/6659/09042007013qi6.jpg

one of the major st. in the city
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/4610/09042007009mm7.jpg

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/2656/09042007011re4.jpg

BOB-bXu

September 4th, 2007, 07:24 PM

filino

September 5th, 2007, 02:27 AM

city terminal
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2876/09042007hb4.jpg

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5710/09042007001ix6.jpg

hmmmm.....where have all the buses gone?

this "world class" bus terminal badly needs repainting...
its green alright, but not from cogon grass please..

kindly post Pansukian pics..they're nice

and who says its world class, at least bob not like sa uban nga mura dumpsite. what you see in pix is the exit portion nga dili nimo makita ang mga bus kay nasa likod sila naka park. the cogon area is an area for the future shell gas station. well, atleast kini hinlo, not like sa uban dumpsite....

well, you always proudly claim nga highly urbanize "DAW" mo, then i challenge you to post some pix of the Highly Urbanize Butuan City Terminal. di ba langawon lagi ta kay mura man na diha ug dumpsite, sa sulod ug sa gawas.

bob this furom is for those who want to see surigao and not for those people who has nothing to do but "MAGPADUNGOG-DUNGOG" murag si kinsa ug murag unsa ila lugar. highly urbanize daw! haller ok ka lang!!!

davaoeagle

September 5th, 2007, 02:53 AM

BOB-bXu

September 5th, 2007, 06:13 AM

and who says its world class, at least bob not like sa uban nga mura dumpsite. what you see in pix is the exit portion nga dili nimo makita ang mga bus kay nasa likod sila naka park. the cogon area is an area for the future shell gas station. well, atleast kini hinlo, not like sa uban dumpsite....

well, you always proudly claim nga highly urbanize "DAW" mo, then i challenge you to post some pix of the Highly Urbanize Butuan City Terminal. di ba langawon lagi ta kay mura man na diha ug dumpsite, sa sulod ug sa gawas.

bob this furom is for those who want to see surigao and not for those people who has nothing to do but "MAGPADUNGOG-DUNGOG" murag si kinsa ug murag unsa ila lugar. highly urbanize daw! haller ok ka lang!!!

relax lang dodong, I am just making a comment here...just as you did to us before...

well dodong...at least in my end...I did not mention or say that our bus terminal is world class...never also did I say or mention that ours was sqeaky clean...

I am not making a pa "Dungog Dungog" dodong...I am telling you that in matters of forum such as this....you should exercise caution as to the use of Sugar coats to your descriptions..

your description on your bus terminal ( which apears to be more like a jeep terminal ) is an example and I am just making a comment on its tarnished paint and overgrown cogon grasses...

sayang dodong, you almost convinced me that your terminal is world class as what you overhyped and sugar coated in your descriptions....but judging from what it appears....tsk tsk tsk....you better exercise humility and honesty dodong...masuko hinuon si mayor nimo ana...

world class daw..tsk..tsk...you better come here to Butuan and have yourself checked by a Neurologist....the SURF is world class...BUT your city IS NOT...

regjeex

September 5th, 2007, 07:16 AM

surigao city is in caraga region no. 13. it is the capital of surigao del norte the Philippines Surfing Capital. it is one of the most important city in region 13. surigao city is the home of renown BONOK-BONOK FESTIVAL. it is the home of worls biggest nickel deposits and the host of amazing ecotourism destinations. it is the gateway to the world famous surfing destination in the country which is cloud 9. a small yet world class city. once voted as one of asia's most livable city, if im not mistaken it was in the year 2005.

Talaga lang ha! MOST IMPORTANT CITY IN REGION 13 ha. May story ako regarding jan sa bunok bunok festival na yan... kse sabi nila ng mga friends kong taga Surigao... kaya daw tinawag na bunok bunok kse daw madalas ang ulan at ndi daw nila alam kung ano dahilan bat nalang ganun ang Mother Earth. At madalas din ang malalakas na bagyo kse daw bagyo daw din ang ugali ng mga taga Surigao... Totoo kaya ang mga sinasabi nila? well lets find out... world class city ha? :nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: meron kang claims for that? Ni taxi wala nga kayo eh? tignan nyo nga area ng City nyo... baka mas maganda pa ata ang City of Cabadbaran at City of Bayugan and soon the City of San Franciso what ya think? :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: Pag nabasa ng ibang forumers or international forumers at mag hahanap ng claims to be a world class city daw? My Golly!!! Ano bang trade mark ng Surigao? parang wala! ay meron BAGYOOOO! kse pag kini claim nila ung Surfing... eh Siargao yon eh... Beaches around surigao i think the nice one is in Siargao also... Tsaka ndi nman rich in culture ang surigao eh... kse nasisira nga lang ng Bagyo...

regjeex

September 5th, 2007, 07:25 AM

wow clean street, i havenever been to Surigao City thanks @filino:cheers:

Ano ba yan? WORLD CLASS CITY? pero may Tri-sikad in the middle of the City! tsk tsk tsk!:ohno: :ohno: :ohno: Tri-sikad tas dimano pa? tas ung iba ndi colorful.. like Butuan Orange, Red etc... and Taxi is light green same in Mexico and yellow... Sabi nga nila na mas nice pa ang taxi ng Butuan ke sa Davao... well I dont know... thats their experienced. Pero ung sikad in the middle of the city! gosh... full of shame...

filino

September 5th, 2007, 07:33 AM

Talaga lang ha! MOST IMPORTANT CITY IN REGION 13 ha. May story ako regarding jan sa bunok bunok festival na yan... kse sabi nila ng mga friends kong taga Surigao... kaya daw tinawag na bunok bunok kse daw madalas ang ulan at ndi daw nila alam kung ano dahilan bat nalang ganun ang Mother Earth. At madalas din ang malalakas na bagyo kse daw bagyo daw din ang ugali ng mga taga Surigao... Totoo kaya ang mga sinasabi nila? well lets find out... world class city ha? :nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: meron kang claims for that? Ni taxi wala nga kayo eh? tignan nyo nga area ng City nyo... baka mas maganda pa ata ang City of Cabadbaran at City of Bayugan and soon the City of San Franciso what ya think? :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: Pag nabasa ng ibang forumers or international forumers at mag hahanap ng claims to be a world class city daw? My Golly!!! Ano bang trade mark ng Surigao? parang wala! ay meron BAGYOOOO! kse pag kini claim nila ung Surfing... eh Siargao yon eh... Beaches around surigao i think the nice one is in Siargao also... Tsaka ndi nman rich in culture ang surigao eh... kse nasisira nga lang ng Bagyo...

sa surigao maski bagyo walay baha, ang butuan tili tili lang baha to the max

regjeex

September 5th, 2007, 07:34 AM

filino

September 5th, 2007, 07:35 AM

relax lang dodong, I am just making a comment here...just as you did to us before...

well dodong...at least in my end...I did not mention or say that our bus terminal is world class...never also did I say or mention that ours was sqeaky clean...

I am not making a pa "Dungog Dungog" dodong...I am telling you that in matters of forum such as this....you should exercise caution as to the use of Sugar coats to your descriptions..

your description on your bus terminal ( which apears to be more like a jeep terminal ) is an example and I am just making a comment on its tarnished paint and overgrown cogon grasses...

sayang dodong, you almost convinced me that your terminal is world class as what you overhyped and sugar coated in your descriptions....but judging from what it appears....tsk tsk tsk....you better exercise humility and honesty dodong...masuko hinuon si mayor nimo ana...

world class daw..tsk..tsk...you better come here to Butuan and have yourself checked by a Neurologist....the SURF is world class...BUT your city IS NOT...

ang bahooooo. ay may langaw pala dito.............baygon please. make sure sa imo accusation ha, read all my post sa inyo furom......have i stated there any offensive ngaman ana ka mag react?

filino

September 5th, 2007, 07:36 AM

BoB... i think you're wrong... I guess that's TANGKONG......

at least tangkong, inyo dumpsite..... your place speaks what kind of people you have..........

WawaY[625]

September 5th, 2007, 07:40 AM

inspite of its size was declared one of the most livable city in asia in the ranks of singapore, osaka, davao, cebu a few to mention.

declared by who? any links to the source?

regjeex

September 5th, 2007, 07:43 AM

sa surigao maski bagyo walay baha, ang butuan tili tili lang baha to the max

before but now? ah ah ah!:banana: :banana: And at least wala me nag pasigarbo nga world class city or whatever! tuheeeee....

regjeex

September 5th, 2007, 07:46 AM

;15189335']declared by who? any links to the source?

Waway, wala syas source I think. He made his/her own research by his knowledge... hahahaha... I think it was declared by Filisame.... Filino & luisame..... gapaka ulaw lang sya sa dungog sa Surigao... and to think na pag nabasa ni Mayor ng Surigao... na aapektuhan sya of course... this guy/gay, or whatever is F#Cking LIAR.....

regjeex

September 5th, 2007, 07:50 AM

at least tangkong, inyo dumpsite..... your place speaks what kind of people you have..........

HAHAHAHA:banana: :banana: :banana: I can see you head is kind a red now.. hahaha! ops... pigilin mo baka pumutok!!! relaks lang.. just take it easy... "do you undestand the wods tha commin ou ma mouth?" dialogue ni chirs tucker yan ng RUSH OUR! HAIL YEH HAIL YEH... Please come to Surigao the WORLD CLASS CITY in the Philippines or even in ASIA. OR W H A T E V E R!!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Ex!lE

September 5th, 2007, 08:17 AM

oi..may giyera pala dito, akala ko sa Basilan at Jolo lang meron. Keep your cool guys. Lets show to our kababayans that Mindanaoans are peace loving people. :)

dinabaw

September 5th, 2007, 08:20 AM

oo nga baka makita kayo ni master Jhaelinis sige linisin nyo kalat nyo bago dumating siya :D

davaoeagle

September 5th, 2007, 09:12 AM

^^

Regjeex, you might wanna edit out cuss words and namecallings on your posts before the mods get a hold of them. You don't wanna be banned yourself. Butuan thread needs you and so do we in other Mindanao cities. Just a friendly reminder. :cheers:

filino

September 5th, 2007, 10:00 AM

Waway, wala syas source I think. He made his/her own research by his knowledge... hahahaha... I think it was declared by Filisame.... Filino & luisame..... gapaka ulaw lang sya sa dungog sa Surigao... and to think na pag nabasa ni Mayor ng Surigao... na aapektuhan sya of course... this guy/gay, or whatever is F#Cking LIAR.....

Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra

Hon. Alfonso S. Casurra
Mayor of the City of Surigao

City Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra is a lawyer by profession and currently the City Mayor of the City of Surigao, a city of 135,000 people located in CARAGA Region, Mindanao.

A consistent achiever during his academic years, he was born of simple parents and celebrates his birthday every 30th of October, finishing Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science at the University of San Carlos, proceeded to finish Bachelor of Laws at the San Beda College of Law and passed the Philippine Bar Examinations in 1980.

He got into politics by accident. He ran as city councilor in 1988 as a filler to complete the slots of a local political party. Since then, his political career never suffered any set back completing three terms (nine years) as city councilor, six years of which as number one, elected overwhelmingly as city vice mayor, and later assumed the top post and is now serving his sixth year as city mayor.

During his term, the city government garnered prestigious awards like the Kaagapay Seal of Excellence in Local Governance, one of the Peace Cities in the World, Child FriendlyCity, consistent National Finalist as Cleanest City in the Philippines, considered as one of Asia’s Most Livable City and within the top 10 Competitive Cities in the Philippines for two consecutive years. In fact, the City of Surigao ranked No.1 in 2005 in terms of doing business out of 37 small cities in the Philippines. Mayor Casurra received the 2005 University of San Carlos Outstanding Alumni Award and the 2006 Outstanding Alumni of San Nicolas College, now St. Paul University of Surigao. He also received the 2003 Outstanding Public Servant Award by the Civil Service Commission.
Mayor Casurra has been sent to represent the Philippines in several conferences abroad such as the trip to Vancouver, Canada for the Training on Policy Formulation and Advocacy sponsored by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, the Study Visit to Bangkok, Thailand for Building Partnerships in Response to AIDS, the Study Trip on the Waste Treatment Plant in Bukit Tagar, Malaysia and Stockholm, Sweden, the Workshop on Sustainable Approaches To Local Government and Capacity Building in Bali, Indonesia, the Establishment of the Environmental Unit with the League of Cities of Florida, in Orlando, Florida, as lone presentor coming from Asia in the Workshop on Strengthening Decentralization and Local Governance in Cairo, Egypt and was sent on a Training on Effective Good Governance at the Rand Graduate School in Sta. Monica, California, USA in 2002.

On November 29, 2006, the Local Government Academy (LGA), together with Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., the father of the Local Government Code, named Mayor Casurra as the Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines in the 2006 Local Government Leadership Awards held at the Padilla Room of the Senate of the Philippines.
Mayor Casurra is serving his well-deserved last term as the mayor of the City of Surigao after being proclaimed for the third time during the May 2007 elections.

Mayor Casurra is married to Rosemarie Aldas of Bacolod City and they are

"I KNOW AND IM SURE NAA NAPUY MO REACT" ....... :banana: :cheers: :rofl: :lol:

source: http://www.surigaocity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=31

filino

September 5th, 2007, 10:29 AM

filino

September 5th, 2007, 10:45 AM

News and Announcements >> TOP NEWS
2007-2008 AIM Admission Test and Degree Program Schedule

20 Cities Named Philippines’ Most Competitive
AIM Policy Center unveils results of Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project
i> By the AIM Policy Center and Institutional Marketing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIVE METRO cities, five mid-sized cities, and 10 small cities have been cited as the Philippines’ most competitive, based on results of the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP) 2005. The findings of the biennial survey were revealed in a national conference held at the Inter-Continental Hotel Makati on February 13, 2006.

The AIM Policy Center completed the project in collaboration with the United State Agency for International Development (USAID), the Asia Foundation, and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). The PCCRP assesses the capacity of a city to provide an environment that nurtures the dynamism of its local enterprises and industries. It also assesses the general ability of a city to attract investments and entrepreneurs, and to uplift the living standards of its residents. Lastly, the project provides a benchmarking process that will aid individual cities in measuring competitiveness. City competitiveness itself is defined as “the ability of a city to create and maintain an environment that sustains more value creation for its enterprises and more prosperity for its people.”

The PCCRP ranks the competitiveness of various cities using seven major drivers of competitiveness: cost of doing business, dynamism of local economy, linkages and accessibility, human resources and training, infrastructure, responsiveness of local government to business needs, and quality of life. These drivers were adopted from the World Competitiveness Yearbook of the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development.

Sixty-five cities were surveyed in PCCRP 2005, the fourth edition of the project. Cities were categorized into 13 metropolitan cities (cities comprising Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao), 15 mid-sized cities (non-metro cities each with a population greater than 200,000), and 37 small cities (each with a population less than 200,000). Geographically, 30 cities are from Luzon, 14 from Visayas, and 21 from Mindanao.

In his presentation, Policy Center executive director Dr. Federico Macaranas named the following as the most competitive cities for each classification, in alphabetical order.

Metro: Davao, Las Piñas, Makati, Marikina, and Muntinlupa
Mid-size: Bacolod, Batangas, Iligan, Iloilo, and San Fernando, Pampanga
Small: Dagupan, Koronadal, Legaspi, Naga, Olongapo, San Fernando (La Union), Sta. Rosa, Surigao, Tagbilaran, and Tagum

The PCCRP aims to motivate local government leaders to become economic and development managers apart from being providers of outstanding public goods and services. The study is designed to inculcate these in local government leaders as well as businesses and civil society by promoting healthy competition among cities.

The growth of local government units was a prevalent theme in the speeches and remarks during the conference. Keynote speaker Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who pushes for livable communities and urban reform in his agenda, said, “Cities must become pockets of excellence… Each city is not competing against other cities; it is competing against itself. It must surpass its own self.”

Sen. Pangilinan accepts a token of appreciation from AIM president Roberto de Ocampo. Looking on are Ms Martina Vahlhaus of GTZ and Mr. Jon Lindborg of USAID
“All development is local,” declared Mr. Jon Lindborg, USAID mission director. “A growing body of evidence shows that business growth is most supported at the local level.”

Ms Martina Vahlhaus, GTZ program manager, also exhorted local executives to “play a role in encouraging good practice in other cities and boost the local investment climate.”

Methodology

The PCCRP utilizes qualitative and quantitative criteria to assess city competitiveness vis-à-vis the major drivers of competitiveness. Each driver has corresponding indicators. Twenty-three indicators were quantitative, 45 perception-based.

Steve Rood (right), country representative of The Asia Foundation, welcomes the audience. Seated from left are Dr. Macaranas, Ms. Vahlhaus, Sen. Pangilinan, Mr. de Ocampo, and Mr. Lindborg.
Qualitative data. Sixty SME owners and managers per city answered a self-administered survey consisting of 45 questions.
Quantitative data. Fact-based city/provincial data were gathered from official government publications.
Focus Group Discussions. At the end of the survey phase, industry associations, local chamber officials, and businessmen were convened to discuss issues relevant to a city’s overall performance.

The data were derived with the assistance of various academic partners: Angeles University Foundation, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Naga, Ateneo de Zamboanga, De La Salle Lipa, De La Salle Dasmariñas, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Notre Dame of Dadiangas College, Silliman University, St. Louis University, University of San Agustin, University of San Carlos, and Xavier University.

The AIM Policy Center validated the survey results and quantitative data before converting each score for all 70 indicators into a 10-point scale based on national and global benchmarks. Sadly, no city garnered the high-competitiveness score of 8-10. Citing qualitative vs. quantitative scores, Dr. Macaranas observed, “The perception that cities are doing good is higher than the actual competitiveness result.”

Factors of Competitiveness

Based on statistical results and primary information from focus group discussions, the interplay between factors was deemed necessary to become a competitive city. Foremost is the leadership value of local government officials, followed by the presence of a strong support system (business alliances and responsive civil society). Other factors influencing city competitiveness include quality of human resources, presence of good infrastructure, and a stable peace and order situation.

Best Practices of the Most Competitive Cities

1. Basics form the bedrock – roads and bridges, power, water, telecommunications
2. Quick, simplified response from the local government which brings down the cost of business
3. Accurate and timely collection of statistics is valuable. Data build into policymaking, resulting in regulations and ordinances responsive to current and emerging needs.
4. Ideas should move people to action. The constituency must be engaged through online availability of development plans, text facility, radio programs, pamphlets, meetings, and participatory governance.
5. The key to getting people to change their behavior sometimes lies with the smallest details of their immediate situation (Gladwell, The Tipping Point), such as health, cleanliness, etc

The City Competitiveness Program (CCP) of AIM

CCP was established in 1997 with the end goal of helping Philippine urban centers cultivate competitive industries, promote healthy communities, and maximize the competitiveness potential of Philippine cities. Cities are the hubs of national economic development. But in most developing economies, opportunities are concentrated in major growth areas and poverty is perennial in rural areas. If economic opportunities were spread across the country, the problem of rural-urban migration could be alleviated.

Pinoy Cities on the Rise 2005, the official publication of PCCRP, will be available in April 2005. It will highlight the good practices of the most competitive cities. For the first time, the AIM Policy Center will come up with an assessment (at least a one-page summary) for each of the 65 cities. For inquiries, please contact the AIM Policy Center at (632) 8924011 ext 2111 or 2112 or email policycenter@aim.edu.

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

BXU AngelC

September 5th, 2007, 04:01 PM

at least tangkong, inyo dumpsite..... your place speaks what kind of people you have..........

I don't think so...........:ohno: :ohno: :ohno:
i think your the once asal basura.... the way you intimidate and infiltrate our peaceful thread..before,,,,g baslan ka man sab....:bash: :bash: :bash:

BXU AngelC

September 5th, 2007, 04:06 PM

RESPECT BEGETS RESPECT...................:) :) :)

Rajah_Soliman

September 5th, 2007, 05:14 PM

^^

You're doing a good job promoting your city Filino. That's A-okey for the effort. I have been to the cities of Butuan and Surigao and I should say both cities are on same level in terms of developement.

ditto... i don't think there should be a competition (although, i admit I'm impressed with the pictures posted in the surigao thread... i never thought that a beautiful place like that exist in Mindanao.... i love butuan too ;) ;) )

filino

September 6th, 2007, 02:54 AM

I don't think so...........:ohno: :ohno: :ohno:
i think your the once asal basura.... the way you intimidate and infiltrate our peaceful thread..before,,,,g baslan ka man sab....:bash: :bash: :bash:

too much speculations, accusations, etc.......... ining ngaman idahig man nimo ang uban sa nag samok sa inyo thread? ang respect " ini EARN yan hindi BININIGAY".

once and for all, since all the sources you needed has been clearly provided and without QUESTIONS for it is TRUE and PROVEN so maybe ang RESPETO ma earn na. let there be PEACE on this thread... for GOD sake.....

dinabaw

September 6th, 2007, 03:04 AM

Ano ba yan? WORLD CLASS CITY? pero may Tri-sikad in the middle of the City! tsk tsk tsk!:ohno: :ohno: :ohno: Tri-sikad tas dimano pa? tas ung iba ndi colorful.. like Butuan Orange, Red etc... and Taxi is light green same in Mexico and yellow... Sabi nga nila na mas nice pa ang taxi ng Butuan ke sa Davao... well I dont know... thats their experienced. Pero ung sikad in the middle of the city! gosh... full of shame...

:? :? :? if your'e having CvC war w. @Filino i don't give a damn !

filino

September 6th, 2007, 03:15 AM

Ateneo School of Government
APS Building, Rockwell Center, Rockwell Drive, Makati City
WINNING THE WAR ON CORRUPTION
THROUGH TRANSPARENCY, REFORM
AND EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP
Cunegunda Dina b. Anitan
Ateneo School of Government

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Surigao City used to be dubbed as the “Nickel City” in the Philippines given its rich deposits of
nickel ore. The city’s island villages comprised half of its 54 barangays. Despite these vast
resources however, Surigao City remained a struggling city in the northeastern part of Mindanao.
By 2003 Surigao City came to be regarded a developing city. By then it had earned several
recognitions such as “Asia’s Most Livable City award from Asia, Inc., a Hong Kong-based
institution and Rotary International conferred on it the honor of being one of the PEACE Cities in
the World.
This case study aims to look at the experiences of Surigao City in the past two year. It focuses on the
Revenue Generation Strategy adopted by the Local Government Units, as well as on the structural and
attitudinal reforms adopted to support the paradigm shift that the Local Chief Executive believed should be
made to attain the physical and economic development that he envisioned for Surigao City.
To have a better appreciation of the experiences and the processes that the LGU went through, a case
conference was conducted among the department heads of the city as well as interviews with the Mayor
and the City Planning and Development Staff. A review of the accomplishment report and some literature
about Surigao City was likewise undertaken.
The case focused on the local chief executive a strong and exemplary leader who propelled the city into
what it had become, a developing city known not only in the region but internationally. It also discussed the
contribution of the staff and officers of the city government who were highly motivated to support the
Mayor, a visionary leader, with conviction, the relevant skills and knowledge to manage the bureaucracy.
The contributory factors that led to the attainment of the city’s development vision were as follows:
• setting the right direction,
• developing key officers,
• motivating the people behind the bureaucracy,
• putting the appropriate systems in place,
• having relevant laws that helped curtail irregularities thereby facilitating the generation of
resources to fund the plans and programs of the city government.
The Mayor was an effective leader and administrator despite his not belonging to the major political bloc
that enjoyed the numbers in the Sanggunian Panglungsod. He have earned the title of a strict and
unforgiving manager, but what he considered more important was that his constituents were happy and
appreciated the improvements in the city under his able leadership.

RESULTS

By 2003, Surigao City had become one of the leading developing cities in Mindanao,
earning several recognitions in the region as well as internationally. It could now boast of
several accomplishments and had since become a tourist destination. The island villages
were no longer regarded merely as the nickel ore-rich barangays but had become a tourist
destination. Most barangays enjoyed electricity, water and some infrastructure facilities.
The biggest impact resulting from the changes was the significant increase in revenue collections. In 2002,
revenue collections increased by 11 percent relative to 2001 and 50 percent relative to ten years previously.
Despite some delays in the remittance of its IRA share, the city was able to collect 97 percent of its
estimated income for 2002. This was made possible by the sound and efficient collection of revenue by the
city’s fiscal managers. More specifically, the General Fund was able to collect 97 percent of its target,
Economic Enterprises, 96 percent and the Education Fund, 89 percent. These collections enabled the city
government to pursue its plans and programs to improve the living conditions of the Surigaonons.
The staff and officers were happy to deliver their expected output. They were more highly motivated and
happy to be part of the solution to the city’s problems and inadequacies.
The business sector was not complaining as it felt it to be its duty to support the plans and programs of the
Local Government by paying the taxes on time and in accordance with the new rates.
The recognition and awards given by local and international award -giving institutions boosted the morale
of every Surigaonon whose city was acknowledged as one of the PEACE Cities in the world with only 86crime cases in 2002 reflecting a decrease from 166 cases in 2001. The crime solution efficiency was 91
percent. Surigao City also earned its title as one of the Livable Cities in Asia, a recognition given by the
Hongkong based Asia, Inc. Surigao City was also a recipient of the best collection performance award in
Real Property taxes within the region.
The impressive performance of the city encourage other donors like Swedish International Development
Agency (SIDA) to include Surigao City among the recipient of grants and other assistance, a development
which were not evident before the term of the Mayor.

source: http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/94857/gapglobal/pdf/Surigao.pdf