parang kulang ata yang list mo sa jollibee davao pre...
is there any in agdao district?

this is for Zamboanga..

Jollibee..

1. Jollibee - Gov.Camins Ave.
2. Jollibee - Mayor Climaco Ave.
3. Jollibee - San Jose Road
4. Jollibee - Veterans Avenue
5. Jollibee - Plaza Pershing
6. Jollibee - Mindpro CitiMall
7. Jollibee - LB SuperMarket
8. Jollibee - Shopper's Central
9. Jollibee - SouthWay Square
10. Jollibee - Yubenco StarMall

McDonald's..

1. McDonald's- La Purisima

Greenwich

1.Greenwich - Mindpro CitiMall
2. Greenwich - Southway Square
3. Greenwich - Gov. Camins Ave.

KFC

1.KFC - Midtown Plaza
2.KFC - Limtown Center

Chowking

1.Chowking - La Purisima
2.Chowking - Southway Square
3. Chowking - Gov. Lim Ave (bombed by terrorists)

patok na patok si jabee talaga. outnumbered si ronald :D 10 to 1

Good Morning Mindanao..!!!

:) I went through the posts kagabi very lively discussion, kung manok lang ang gusto ko yung lechong native nga manok sa mati... pwerte gyud ka lami. ^^ maybe sir paul has something to say about it. :cheers:
kulasas franchisee siguro:D

letme put it this way whether you all agree or not:D jollibee shouldnot be sole subjective indicator but fastfood patronage based on burger and fried chicken consumption per capita a better gauge for me. proliferation of these stores reflect economic health of the locales. their spending capacity aginst how much they earn to afford a burger,etc. my point is if city b has lower jollibee to population ratio, it is probably there are aplenty of other stores in mcDonalds, kfc, chowking greenwhich kenny rogers chicken in the area too.

and it seems like agreeably seen to add an urban feel, people sees urbanity of a plae by how many are there of these and even by which kind of these.

^^ d naman talaga sole indicator yan, informal pa nga... pero tlagang, kung ang isang town may jabee, na, masasabi mo na talagang it has arrived :D

now imagine, town, may dalawang jollibee, that will definetly mean something

^^ lol yeah

my point lang naman was it (judging the economy of a place) is more complicated than a "jollibee store per capita" na method

a town having a jollibee and mcdo as an economic indicator? maybe, but it gets more complicated once were talking about big cities

^^

OT:

I like the way you say "jabee". Hehehe

;16905958']^^ lol yeah

my point lang naman was it (judging the economy of a place) is more complicated than a "jollibee store per capita" na method

a town having a jollibee and mcdo as an economic indicator? maybe, but it gets more complicated once were talking about big cities

baka sa susunod meron ng stats na JPC (jollibee per capita) :lol:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff75/ph_matrix/quake.jpg


For more earthquakes updates visit.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007kmay.php

Mindanao to get 30% of budget
Inquirer
Last updated 10:10pm (Mla time) 12/04/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Mindanao will receive a 30-percent lump sum provision in the 2008 national budget that will be used for projects and programs expected to trigger an island-wide development, according to Speaker Jose de Venecia.

“Mindanao is not the backdoor of the republic but the front door to the tiger economies of Southeast Asia,” De Venecia told the first-ever meeting of the Regional Development Council of Region 10 at the House of Representatives composed of governors, congressmen and regional directors of Northern Mindanao.

De Venecia and Representative Edcel Lagman, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, in a press statement, said Mindanao used to get a measly 10- to 11-percent share through allocations for line departments and frontline agencies.

The increase to 30 percent would help to reverse decades of uneven development that spawned lingering social and economic problems and two major insurgencies, they said.

Representative Rufus Rodriguez said the lump sum would roughly translate into some P180 billion to help finance some of Mindanao’s long-awaited projects and programs to fight poverty and hasten development.


De Venecia said lawmakers, governors and regional directors have to start identifying some 30 to 50 major projects for the region and “introduce specific projects under this provision.”

The RDC discussed the Medium-Term Regional Development Plan of Northern Mindanao, including the major programs and projects it intends to push in the remaining years of the administration.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=104874

--- removed ---

^

You think it's nice to post that in this international forum? :ohno:

^^

Titles of news articles like this should refrain from putting general tags like "Philippine South" and the like. It really misleads people, especially those who are not aware that the insurgencies are limited to a number of places only. Ideally, titles should specify what areas are actually affected so as not to taint the image of the other localities enjoying as much peace and order, if not more, as the locality (generally Metro Manila) from where the news articles emanate.

I see, Ok, I will reconsider.. :)

Mindanaoans’ advocacy for peace continues

By Glenrose on Dec 5, 2007 in News

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City– The recent stand-off which took place at Makati, the country’s primary business center, was a desperate move to overthrow the government and meant to hurt our already improving economy.

Such was the opinion of the members of the League of Cities of the Philippines-National Executive Board (LCP-NEB) when the Magdalo group of soldiers walked out in the middle of a hearing at the Regional Trial Court of Makati and proceeded to take over Manila Peninsula Hotel, last Nov. 29.

The LCP-NEB held its board meeting in the city as part of the activities of the LCP caravan conducted to bring social services and business opportunities to five major cities of the region, namely: Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Marawi, Ozamiz and Tangub from Nov. 28-Dec. 1, this year.

“The unrest in Makati was, however, effectively and quickly resolved and only showed that our institutions are strong and that the rule of law prevailed. Our work will be back to normal and we can now work in peace!” Mayor Bejamin Abalos of Madaluyong City, LCP National President, said.

Ironically, Mindanaoans are celebrating the Mindanao Week of Peace from Nov. 29-Dec. 5, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 127 aimed at raising consciousness for a culture of peace among the peoples of the island with various activities that included the conduct of “Caravan for Peace,” “Walk for Peace,” and convocation programs in elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, among others.

Meanwhile Abalos said he finds it ironic that while the barangay officials have just been sworn to office, the Magdalo group has wanted to bring down the government. “It is the same group of rebel soldiers in the same venue in Makati, although in a different hotel. Yet there is a glaring difference, this time and that is Trillanes is now a Senator,” Abalos remarked.

For her part, Mayor Amelita S. Navarro of Santiago City, LCP-NEB representative of Region 2 said “Perhaps winning is not enough to appease Sen. Trillanes, whatever his desires are. After participating in a democratic process, he still went into trouble with the law. What about the oath he took as a Senator?” she asked.

In the same occasion, Mayor Sammy S. Co of Pagadian City, from Region 9 has called on his constituents not to get involved with the Senator saying what the latter has gone into is his own problems and should not involve the entire country because it will be destructive to our economy.

Moreover, Mayor Rey C. Uy of Tagum City from Region 11 said that what the LCP is doing is for the purpose of uplifting the lives of all Filipinos living in Mindanao. “Any act of destabilization is not welcome. So let’s leave out the people in Manila and work hard on our own.”

As for the Island Garden City of Samal, former Mayor Roger Antalan, brother of the current City Chief Executive, said “People are tired of the demonstrations against the government mounted by the Magdalos. All we want is just to work hard and look for ways to improve their lives through their own efforts.”

“A lot of good things are happening in Mindanao. We want to continue living peacefully and not participate in any move to destabilize the government,” he added. (PIA Region 10)

http://mindanao.wowphilippines.com/cagayandeoro/2007/12/05/mindanaoans-advocacy-for-peace-continues/

^^ di ko naramdaman

Mindanao filmfest kicks off
Published : 2007-12-03

THE 10-day Mindanao Film Festival 2007, Mindanao’s annual filmmaking event, kicked off last night at the Cinema 4 of Gaisano Mall of Davao. The festival lasts until Dec. 11 with various activities.

Working with the theme Fighting a Different War, eight teams are vying for honors including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Production Value, and the People’s Choice Award.

The filmfest is the most recognized and most anticipated annual filmmaking event in Mindanao. Already in its 5th year, the festival aims to provide a venue for independent and aspiring filmmakers and artists, and to promote and boost the film industry in Mindanao.

One of the noted participants is veteran filmmaker and guerilla filmmaking workshop alumnus JP Seniel, who helmed the films Torture (which took home most of the awards in the very first Mindanao filmfest, then known as Guerilla Film Festival), Tandog sa Baryo Sanghay (the runaway winner in the Puting Tabil Short Film Festival in Kadayawan 2005), Asa Ka Adto Pedring, and the documentary on autism Amuma (which was released in New York International Independent Film and Video Festival).

In this year’s festival, JP once again demonstrates his directing prowess and filmmaking ability with Ang Lalis ni Kernel David ug Kumander Goliath, a story about two men holding different perceptions on social issues.

Other films competing are Daba Daba productions’ Taryado, Kwadrado Productions’ Ang Alimyon Sa Among Mga Kalipay, Kadlawon Productions’ Popoy, Uma Productions’ Rhea, Hamugaway Productions’ Tumbahan, Durian Cinema’s Cha-Cha, and Mykill Limbaga’s Kulatado.

Three entries for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) Short Film Competition will also be witnessed this coming Dec. 5 through the initiative of PDEA Regional Director Rolando Bade and PDEA region XI with the cooperation with the Department of Education (DepED). These short films were all made with the theme, ‘Gangsters of Today, Drug Addicts of Tomorrow?’

Exhibition films from Zamboanga and Cotabato will be shown as well during the 10-day screening period of the Mindanao Film Festival. The nine films will simultaneously get its world premiere at the Kontra AGos Film Festival at Indie Sine in Manila on Dec. 6.

City Councilor Edgar Ibuyan, in opening the gala yesterday, said that the film festival proved that Mindanao, Davao in particular, is already equipped to compete with Manila.

Rjay Sta. Teresa, event director, said this year’s theme ‘Fighting a Different War’ envisions in creating awareness among Filipinos of the rich culture and diversity of Mindanao. The theme seeks to erase the misconception that Minda-nao is a land of chaos and armed conflicts. The festival is set to make people see Mindanao in a richer, truer light: that Mindanao is, after all, safe and is fighting a different kind of war, a war with the world’s biggest problems – poverty, marginalization/discrimination, abuse, and exploitation.

The Mindanao Film Festival also aims to encourage aspiring filmmakers and artists in Mindanao to apply guerilla filmmaking techniques and its fundamentals. It wishes to promote the talents and skills of the people down south.

A forum is set at the auditorium of Philippine Women’s College on Dec. 7 with noted award-winning director Maryo J. delos Reyes.

Awarding is set on Dec. 8 at Wheels and More Drive, Auto Shop, along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City. The Mindanao Film Festival is spearheaded by Alchemy of Vision and Light Productions, a Davao-based TV and film production outfit, and Salida Filipina, an art, culture, and education advocate in new media.It is supported by City Government of Davao, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region XI, Philippine Airlines (PAL), Gaisano Mall Of Davao, Ad and Promo Management (APM), Silka, Juicy Cologne, Tiens-Tianshi Phils., Inc., the Philippine Women’s College of Davao (PWC), the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation, Teng Mangansakan and Mindanao Times.

Tickets are available at the ticket booth for only P60.

http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=18715

^

You think it's nice to post that in this international forum? :ohno:

what was it about?

;16907240']^^ di ko naramdaman


Peace is just a state of mind that must be put into action.

If you want to feel and beget peace, begin peace with yourself. :)

Mindanao films go on world premiere in Metro Manila
MindaNews
Saturday, 01 December 2007 00:33

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/30 Nov) – Nine Mindanao films will have their world premiere at the Kontra Agos Film Festival at Indie Sine, Robinson’s Galleria, Ortigas Center on December 5 and 6.

Adjani Arumpac's full length film "Walai" will open the festival at 7 p.m. on December 5.

"Walai" is an exploration of spaces. It prods on the memories of four Muslim women who once lived in the infamous White House in Cotabato City. The documentary seeks narratives in “places...we tend to feel without history.” It traces the past through the women's experience of what has happened inside the wrecked home—nostalgia and fear, loss and love, and birth and death.

Gutierrez Mangansakan II's full length documentary, "The Jihadist,” will premiere at
9 p.m. on December 6.

“The Jihadist” is an autobiographical documentary on the filmmaker’s struggle as an artist amid the backdrop of the Islamic revolution in Mindanao. His search for his
rightful place in the memory of his homeland yields questions that require him to confront his identity as a Moro and come to terms with his homosexuality.

Mangsakan is an award-winning filmmaker and is an inspiration to many an aspiring filmmaker in Mindanao. He also edited the anthology of essays by young Moro writers, “Children of the Ever-Changing Moon,” launched Thursday at the National Bookstore in SM Davao City.

“Salam Mindanao,” composed of seven short films shot in seven different sites in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), will be shown from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., before Mangansakan’s film.

The films are: Tranquil Times by Loren Lao (documentary); George’s Town by Moises Charles Hollite (documentary); Sulu by Al Jacinto (documentary); Biniton by McRobert Nacrio (narrative); A Step for My Dream by Mona Labado (narrative); Angan-Angan [Dreams] (feature); and Pulubi by Eduardo Vasquez Jr. (documentary);

“Tranquil Times” delves on the good governance efforts of the private sector, civil society and the local government unit of Wao, Lanao del Sur working together to erase remnants of the religious and ethnic clashes of the 1970s. It explores how peace has been achieved in this multi-ethnic town, propelling the once-turbulent municipality into its present agricultural renaissance.

“George’s Town” takes off from George Sabandal, one of about 2,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have sought refuge in the town of Buluan, Maguindanao as a result of the “all-out war” in 2000. Refusing to go back to the place of his origin, he has created a new life for himself and his family in their ideal town.

“Sulu” by Al Jacinto is a film on young writer Arthur Sakalauran Abalos, born of a Muslim mother, who decides to visit Sulu despite the perceived strife and presence of Muslim rebels and Abu Sayyaf terrorists. In Sulu, he meets a former Muslim rebel-turned policeman who tells him about his life story and how he got separated from his family for
more than a decade. He returns to Sulu to start a new life after being reunited with his family. Arthur returns to Manila after a short stay in Sulu, bringing with him memorable stories and truths about the island feared by many as a dangerous place to go.

“Biniton” by McRobert Nacrio is a story depicting the process of preparation and
cooking of a dish called Biniton that is particular to the community of Saniag, Ampatuan. The process of cooking, in the eyes of an old woman, brings to life the hardships they experienced amidst armed conflict at the same time the process of preparation, through the experience of Amel, her grandson walks us through the current situation of their community. How amidst the hardships and diversity in culture they had all managed to bounce back and become united.

“A Step for My Dream” by Mona Labado is a narrative on seven-year-old Abdul who dreams of becoming a leader of his town in Paglat, Maguindanao. He has natural
charisma and easily becomes friends with people even if he hasn’t known them for long. But his grandmother reminds him of their peasant roots which is no match to the traditional ruling family. Undaunted, Abdul sees it as a challenge envisions his future.

“Angan-Angan” (Dreams) by Sheon Dayoc, is a feature on nine -year-old Satra who has been mute for as long as she could remember. But her determination to secure a good
education reverberates clearly amid the strictures of her Yakan culture.

“Pulubi” by Eduardo Vasquez Jr. is a documentary on the transformation of Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan as seen through the metamorphosis of a beggar.

The filmmakers

Loren Hallilah I. Lao is an Instructor at the English Department and Communication Studies Program of Mindanao State University, Marawi City. A lawyer, she is also a Lecturer at the College of Law of the same University. At the same time, she writes fiction and dabbles in filmmaking. She is one of the authors of the recently-launched book, “Children of the Ever-Changing Moon.”

Moises Charles Hollite, born in 1980, initially wanted to pursue a career in music. But having worked as production assistant in four documentaries changed that. Influenced by MTV, George’s Town is his first directorial film.

Al Jacinto is a freelance journalist, a photographer and a budding independent filmmaker. He co-produced a 10-minute documentary-MTV on the poverty situation in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines entitled Pobreza en Zamboanga. And made a full-length film
entitled Sultan in Mindanao and several short photo-documentaries about poverty since 2006.
McRobert Nacario, 24, has worked in various documentaries and feature films. His keen eye for detail is evident in his works making his films a sumptuous visual feast.

Mona Labado, a computer engineering graduate, gravitated to the world of cinema when they were asked to make video projects in college. Together with her friends, she has made a few documentaries and short films. A Step for My Dream is her directorial debut.

Sheron Dayoc is a philosophy graduate of Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Trained at the UP Film Institute, he has produced several documentaries on the untold stories of marginal people and different tribes in Mindanao that has enriched both his personal
and

Eduardo C. Vasquez, Jr., OMI is a Catholic Missionary priest who belongs to the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). He is presently assigned as the parish priest of the San Isidro Parish in Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan. He is the founder and the present director of the “I-watch Team” which produces short video documentaries advocating Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. Fr. Vasquez has earned his Masteral Degree in Pastoral Ministry at the Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo de Manila University where he graduated Cum Laude. In 2003, he earned his diploma on Religious and Social Communication in CREC-AVEX, Ecully, France. (MindaNews)

http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3412&Itemid=50

I think @waway is referring about the quake..

Peace is just a state of mind that must put into action.

If you want to feel and beget peace, begin peace with yourself. :)

my bad, i was referring to the earthquake ..kaso may mga posts na pala after the quake post

;16907290']my bad, i was referring to the earthquake ..kaso may mga posts na pala after the quake post


Sorry. There was no intent to be on that way. Anyway, you feel the earthquake now. :lol:

;16907290']my bad, i was referring to the earthquake ..kaso may mga posts na pala after the quake post

wala man koy nabasa na quake post? may quake pala?

wala man koy nabasa na quake post? may quake pala?

mao ni darry :)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff75/ph_matrix/quake.jpg


For more earthquakes updates visit.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007kmay.php

it was 6.0 (ritcher scale) in Sulawesi siguro noong kumakain tayo sa Figaro darry nag eatquick :lol:

Hindi malakas para ma feel mo yong quake, pero na detect ng equipments nla.


wala man koy nabasa na quake post? may quake pala?

(Last month news)

The Mindanao business agenda

November 08, 2007
Updated 04:10:22 (Mla time)
Joji Ilagan- Bian
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines--The 12-point resolution that the business sector unanimously approved during the recently concluded Mindanao Business Conference in General Santos City indicates that the sector will always be an active partner of the government in developing Mindanao.

ICT as development agent

Truly believing that information and communications technology (ICT) is a catalyst for development, the business sector believes that it is an essential part of the overall roadmap for the island and that sufficient infrastructure facilities must be laid out for connectivity to be enhanced.

In this modern world, connectivity is as important as physical infrastructure because it allows real time interaction between and among players of a certain sector and even between the producer and the market. It has tremendously shrunk the world to just about a line between two people, even if the distance is between the north and south poles.

The cities of Davao, General Santos, Cagayan and Zamboanga are all poised to become the ICT hubs of Mindanao. These are the areas where connectivity is present along with a rich source of human capital to support ICT developments.

Power, power

Another major issue that the business sector raised during the event was finding ways to ensure sufficient and steady power supply in Mindanao.

Reliable power supply will not only lure more investments to the island, but also sustain growth.

It is not only necessary for government to ensure that power investments are placed in areas where needed most (in case of Mindanao it is in the southern part which consumes nearly one-half of the power produced in the island), it is also very important that power is brought to all the points, particularly to areas where development is slow.

We must remember that reliable power, like infrastructure facilities such as roads, is a key to development.

And according to the analysis of government agencies, like the National Power Corp. and the National Transmission Corp., Mindanao will run out of power within the next three years unless major decisions are made today.

It is good that the national government decided to set up the transmission line that will bring the excess power supply produced in the northern part of Mindanao, particularly from the 200-megawatt coal-fired plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, to the rest of the Mindanao grid.

But it is also necessary that new power plants are built in areas where they are needed. But this can only be done if investments in the sector get the much-needed support from government policy-makers.

Efficient shipping services

Considering that Mindanao is a known producer of agricultural products, it is also important to find ways to bring these to the markets in easier and cheaper ways. It is currently more expensive to bring goods from Mindanao to Manila than to send them abroad.

This only shows two things, good port handling facilities are absent and that freight rates are also higher in the domestic shipping sector.

There have been so many attempts to persuade both the government and the industry to find common ground, both in reducing shipping rates and improving port handling facilities. These moves must be realized soon. Otherwise, business will continue to languish and development will not take off.

Improved agriculture

The government and the private sector must also pour more resources into the agriculture sector, considering that it is its strength, with Mindanao accounting for 40 percent of the country’s agricultural output.

While it has improved with the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, its implementation is very much wanting in terms of funding and technical support.

It is high time for both the government and the private sector to join hands and implement a private-sector led development roadmap for the sector. Otherwise, Mindanao’s fertile land will eventually be barren and its seas will dry up.

The other points raised during the event include developing a competitive and sustainable Philippine tuna industry; strong private-public sector partnership to develop tourism; support for the education of the human resource in the region and an environmentally and socially sustainable mining industry.

Every year, the business sector formulates the Mindanao business agenda. We have long lived with rhetoric. It is high time for action.

http://services.inquirer.net/express/07/12/03/html_output/xmlhtml/20071108-99559-xml.html

;16907253']what was it about?


It was about a crudely written news article about massive military operations against NPAs that had people scampering for safety away from the site.

There was even no mention of the specific place and the writer could only mutter ISLAND OF MINDANAO... I want to kick the ass of that newbie journalist for his blunder!

Peace is just a state of mind that must be put into action.

If you want to feel and beget peace, begin peace with yourself. :)

Any logic to this statement or it's just the lack of syntax in the sentence.

US pours P2.1B in Mindanao for education project


ESPERANZA, Sultan Kudarat -- Education of out-of-school youths in Mindanao is getting a boost with a $50 million or about P2.1 billion assistance from the United States Agency for International Development, an American education specialist said here last week.

The fund, benefiting 12 provinces, will be spread out in five years after the program dubbed as the "Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (Equalls)" was extended for another phase.

Philip Purnell, Equalls program specialist, said the program targets to benefit some 100,000 out-of-school youths through the establishment of community learning centers.

"These learning centers will also serve the youths who never had the chance to go to school [due to extreme poverty," he told said.

Hundreds of young people welcomed Purnell when he formally turned over two community learning centers in two different sites of this impoverished town blessed with fertile agricultural lands.

He implored the youths to take advantage of the learning centers so their quality of life will improve.

"With a wonderful location such as rice paddies and surrounding mountains, may the community learning centers inspire your thoughts in forming ideas that will help you achieve your dreams and hopes," Purnell told the beneficiaries.

Aside from offering basic knowledge in different fields of studies like math, science and English, the program provides livelihood skills training to the youth as well as trainings for teachers.

Purnell said youth beneficiaries will be given equivalency tests to determine if they will qualify for college education. Target beneficiaries are those between 12 to 25 years old.

USAid is running the program here in partnership with the Champagnat Community College, the community extension arm of the Notre Dame of Marbel University based in Koronadal City.

Noemi Silva, Notre Dame vice president for academic affairs, assured the school's continued support to the project as it enables out-of-school youths access to education.

The second phase of Equalls kicked off several months ago and targets to establish thousands of community learning centers until 2011.

Covered provinces are Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay in Central Mindanao and South and North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani in Southwestern Mindanao.

At least five provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao -- Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi -- are also included in the program.

A briefer said the United States Peace Corps in the Philippines also participates in the Equalls project through the Tudlo Mindanao (Teach Mindanao) program, which trains elementary and high school teachers in English and Information and Communications Technology as well as provides capacity strengthening for parents-teachers community associations.

By joining with private sector alliances, the US government pools not only their financial resources, but their creativity, energy and expertise, it added. (BSS)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2007/12/01/bus/us.pours.p2.1b.in.mindanao.for.education.project..html

it was 6.0 (ritcher scale) in Sulawesi siguro noong kumakain tayo sa Figaro darry nag eatquick :lol:

drinkquick lang man atong gibuhat didto! :lol:

RDC XI to push for Davao railway system, Samal Bridge project
By Glenrose on Dec 5, 2007 in News

Davao City (6 December) — Preparatory activities for the establishment of the Davao Railway System and the Samal Bridge Project are now well on their way after the Regional Development Council XI approved in its recent meeting the creation of a Task Force that will undertake project studies for the establishment of the said railway system and the bridge project.

RDC XI vice chairman Nicasio Angelo J. Agustin said that the Council is leading the efforts in pushing for the Davao Railway System – a project identified in the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP), 2004-2010 as crucial for industrial development of the Davao Region.

Agustin added that the railway system will be initially established traversing the major highway of Tagum City - Carmen - Panabo City - Davao City - Sta. Cruz - Digos City. These areas comprise the “linear urban corridor” that serves as the main hub of economic activities and social integration in the Davao Region. The cities in the “linear urban corridor” are also among the major “growth centers,” intended to strengthen and enhance existing economic zones and market exchange centers. Both “linear urban corridor” and the “growth centers” are part of the medium-term strategies for development outlined in the Regional Physical Framework Plan of the Davao Region.

On the other hand, Agustin noted that the construction of the Samal Bridge has long been recognized by the RDC XI as critical to spur development in the Island Garden City of Samal, as well as, serve as the link to the other growth centers in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental through the proposed roll-on/roll-off port facilities.

The Task Force is set to meet tomorrow, December 7, 2007 to discuss among other things the possible financing options for both projects. The group is composed of the regional directors of DTI XI, DOTC XI, DPWH XI and NEDA XI; Governors and Mayors of the local government units (LGU) of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Tagum City, Panabo City, Digos City, Davao City, IGACOS, and the Municipality of Sta. Cruz. The private sector is represented in the Task Force through the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).


source: http://mindanao.wowphilippines.com/davao/2007/12/05/rdc-xi-to-push-for-davao-railway-system-samal-bridge-project/

^


:applause:

Catholics afraid of Muslim homeland deal (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW120607/content.php?id=074)

DATU BLAH T. SINSUAT, SHARIFF KABUNSUAN — When Christians in Mindanao heard that the government and Islamic rebels had agreed to expand a homeland for Muslims on their island, they panicked.

"We started buying some weapons to defend our families and community," said Berting, a coconut farmer, whose farm sits in the heart of a mainly Muslim province in Mindanao.

Berting, who declined to give his last name, is a Catholic whose grandfather settled in the area nearly 80 years ago when Christian farmers moved to the lush jungles and valleys of mostly Muslim Mindanao.

A conflict between Catholics and Muslims has raged on the island for the past 40 years, resulting in the deaths of 120,000 people. But now the sides said they are close to a final peace deal and might sign an agreement next year.

After a decade of stop-start negotiations, the government and the country’s largest Islamic rebel group — Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) — agreed last month on the boundaries of a proposed homeland for Muslims, who make up around 20% of Mindanao’s population.

The thought chills Berting.

"If things don’t turn out that well, we might sell what we have here and move to my wife’s place in another part of Mindanao. My neighbors were thinking the same thing; we’ll leave this place and resettle elsewhere."

In the 1960s, Muslims and Catholic militia groups fought violent wars over land ownership as the Christian settlers started to outnumber the original inhabitants.

"We don’t want to go back to those days," said Moner Bajunaid, head of an Islamic education organization in Mindanao.

"There must be real efforts by the two sides to allay the fears of the Christian settlers that their Muslim neighbors will reclaim their homes and farms."

Open to all

Local politicians in nearby North Cotabato province, where hundreds of Muslim-dominated villages will be included in a proposed ancestral domain, said Berting’s reaction reflected common fears within the minority Christian communities.

"It’s bad news," Mohagher Iqbal, chief peace negotiator of the MILF, told Reuters at the rebels’ camp.

"We never intended to separate the Muslims and Christians Our doors are open to all," he said.

About 5% of the country’s estimated 89 million population are Muslims, and about 81% are Catholic.

In a two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last month, negotiators for the government and the MILF agreed to mark the land and sea boundaries of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), which refers to the areas that will be covered by the proposed ancestral homeland for Muslims in the South.

The new borders will expand the six provinces and one city covered by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The ARMM was created in 1989 based on an agreement with the older Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

But the MNLF is not happy with the prospect of being supplanted by its breakaway group MILF and the two groups have yet to work out a compromise.

Smoothing over differences with fellow rebels is just one of the potential hurdles to a final, historic deal.

The issue of governance, which has yet to be agreed, could also spell trouble. Powerful Southern-based political clans will likely use force to prevent any loss of influence in one of the most resource-rich areas of the country.

Military commanders with a vested interest in maintaining the conflict to boost their powers and careers may be another factor.

In an apparent sign the rebels were being more pragmatic, Mr. Iqbal said only about half of the 613 villages the government had initially suggested will form part of the BJE because the other areas are too far away.

Mr. Iqbal said the new map will be unveiled in January after the text of the deal is finalized this month.

That prospect frightens many Catholic settlers.

"We don’t want that day to happen," Berting said, showing three rifles he bought on the black market.

"We’ll defend our farms." — Reuters

hmm.... this is gonna be a problem

RDC XI to push for Davao railway system, Samal Bridge project
By Glenrose on Dec 5, 2007 in News

Davao City (6 December) — Preparatory activities for the establishment of the Davao Railway System and the Samal Bridge Project are now well on their way after the Regional Development Council XI approved in its recent meeting the creation of a Task Force that will undertake project studies for the establishment of the said railway system and the bridge project.

RDC XI vice chairman Nicasio Angelo J. Agustin said that the Council is leading the efforts in pushing for the Davao Railway System – a project identified in the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP), 2004-2010 as crucial for industrial development of the Davao Region.

Agustin added that the railway system will be initially established traversing the major highway of Tagum City - Carmen - Panabo City - Davao City - Sta. Cruz - Digos City. These areas comprise the “linear urban corridor” that serves as the main hub of economic activities and social integration in the Davao Region. The cities in the “linear urban corridor” are also among the major “growth centers,” intended to strengthen and enhance existing economic zones and market exchange centers. Both “linear urban corridor” and the “growth centers” are part of the medium-term strategies for development outlined in the Regional Physical Framework Plan of the Davao Region.

On the other hand, Agustin noted that the construction of the Samal Bridge has long been recognized by the RDC XI as critical to spur development in the Island Garden City of Samal, as well as, serve as the link to the other growth centers in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental through the proposed roll-on/roll-off port facilities.

The Task Force is set to meet tomorrow, December 7, 2007 to discuss among other things the possible financing options for both projects. The group is composed of the regional directors of DTI XI, DOTC XI, DPWH XI and NEDA XI; Governors and Mayors of the local government units (LGU) of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Tagum City, Panabo City, Digos City, Davao City, IGACOS, and the Municipality of Sta. Cruz. The private sector is represented in the Task Force through the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).


source: http://mindanao.wowphilippines.com/davao/2007/12/05/rdc-xi-to-push-for-davao-railway-system-samal-bridge-project/


Hope this will be pushed through as soon as possible. Mindanao can't wait any kind of delay, such as this railway.

lots of projects are being endorsed by regional development councils to the national government but still politics makes a major role in the selection of projects for the needed appropriations...:ohno:

MSU to become first university in Mindanao to inculcate peace education in its curriculum (http://mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/journal/item/351/MSU_to_become_first_university_in_Mindanao_to_inculcate_peace_education_in_its_curriculum)
Nov 30, '07 6:37 AM
By MARK D. FRANCISCO

CAGAYAN de ORO City – THE Mindanao State University (MSU) will be the first educational institutional in the country to inculcate peace education in all their subjects from high school to college levels.

The efforts of MSU were largely based on Executive Order No. 570 issued by President Arroyo in 2006 which called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to institutionalize peace education in basic education and teacher education, respectively.

But according to Dr. Ricardo de Leon, MSU president, they are taking a step further.

De Leon said the university is embarking on an ambitious five-year program to inculcate peace education not just in teacher education but in all program offerings of the university.

Yet, de Leon could not wait for the five-year policy development period.

This early, he has already steered key departments in the university to mobilize all their students in preserving Lake Lanao.

“Because of emerging worldwide concerns such as global warming, we must ensure to do our part. And this in a way is also part of peace education because we must also be at peace with nature,” de Leon said.

Part of his plan is to mobilize the students to do some organic farming around the 356 square kilometer-lake.

Earlier, MSU professor Amanah Lao had said that peace journalism is already offered as a major in communication studies at the institution.

To realize their plan, MSU chancellors and regents from all over its 17 campuses in Mindanao attended a three-day seminar workshop to come up with relevant policies in institutionalizing peace education in the university by 2010.

The workshop, held November 29 to December 1 here, was graced by Dr. Toh Swee-hin, an Australia-based peace advocate.

Efforts to inculcate peace education in the MSU main curriculum were financed by the United Nations’ ACT for Peace Programme.

“Our vision is not just to inculcate peace education in the academic curriculum. We also intend to mainstream it in the research and community extension arms of the university,” Suharto Abas, area manager for the United Nations’ ACT for Peace Programme, said.

De Leon agreed.

“My plan is to include the peace education program in the civic welfare training for students (CWTS) which is a prerequisite to all incoming freshmen,” he said.

But de Leon was quick to point out that peace education will be inculcated to even the most unlikely of academic subjects such as physics and chemistry.

“That is why we are inviting all our chancellors and regents in this seminar so they can craft specific modules in their respective campuses,” he said, adding that subsequent seminars will be held and aimed for all college deans and department heads.

lots of projects are being endorsed by regional development councils to the national government but still politics makes a major role in the selection of projects for the needed appropriations...:ohno:

project of this magnitude takes time to implement and is not a walk in the park for those in-charge. but these 2 projects had been in the air for decades already (feasibility studies and all that) and with this development (they are now into financing matters and never before that they tackled this in the past, so the assumption is that they are on track), so i am optimistic that they would meet their 2004-2010 target. siguro kung ngayon lang sinimulan ang plan, you have to give another 5 to 10 years kasi alam mo naman gobyerno natin, but hinog na ang plan na to and this is under BOT financing scheme so no huge appropriations needed. and this involves 5 seriously cooperating cities so hopefully will be seing railways na on this side of earth.

some projects are also pet projects of politicians that they want them included in the MTDP...even if not feasible but justifiable (because of this and that....):cheers:

Meet the champions: Industry clusters


By Joji Ilagan-Bian
Inquirer
Last updated 01:01am (Mla time) 12/06/2007


MANILA, Philippines--Industry clustering has become a popular method of developing and enhancing businesses. Under this scheme, a sector’s resources are consolidated to increase production, improve access to markets, and bring down marketing and promotion costs.

The term was popularized by Michael Porter in his 1990 book, the Competitive Advantage of Nations. Porter said that industry clustering would result in increased productivity, innovation and stimulation of new players.

Paul Krugman also talked about the role of geography in business in his 1991 work, Geography and Trade.

But research shows that the concept has actually been around since 1890.

One of the most popular industry clusters in the world is Silicon Valley in the United States, where small backyard information technology companies have grown into multibillion dollar businesses.

This idea prompted the Exporters Development Council, where I sit as a member representing Mindanao, to join hands with key government agencies like the Departments of Trade and Industry; Agriculture and Fisheries and other offices to promote industry clustering in the country.

Clustering in Mindanao

Industry clustering not only addresses the issue of sourcing raw materials, but is also key to harnessing resources of each industry player by allowing them to act as one body or unit for best results.

The initiative did not only show how promising businesses in a certain cluster have become, but also the fact that they have cooperated in addressing key issues confronting the industry where they belong.

I would like to cite the successes of the five industries clustered together in the five geographical areas of the Visayas and Mindanao.

The clusters that performed very well in terms of trade and business were recognized and awarded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a ceremony in Malacañang last month. Surprisingly, four of the five awardees came from Mindanao and we should all be proud of their accomplishments.

Sardine canning industry

A good example of a successful industry cluster is the sardine canning industry in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, particularly Dipolog City.

With the Zamboanga Peninsula known as one of the most fertile and biggest fishing grounds in this part of the continent, it is not surprising that sardine canning became one of the biggest industries in the province.

This resulted in the formation of the Isla Sardines of Dipolog Association, a result of government-private sector partnership.

Because of the clustering, the organization was able to demand from raw materials providers reduced rates on volume purchasers and helped processors modernize their equipment and meet international standards.

Caraga food processors

The industry clustering for small and medium enterprises in food processing started in 1999 in the Caraga region. Years later, with the formation of the Caraga Regional Association of Traders and Entrepreneurs in Food, or Create-Food, businesses within the industry clusters received training through the funding of the Philippine-Australia Short-term Training Facility, updating them on modern market strategies and standards that would allow them to penetrate the global arena.

These also paved the way for bigger players to assist the smaller ones in terms of technology and equipment, allowing them to grow together.

Normin veggies

In Northern Mindanao, considered the vegetable capital of Mindanao, industry clustering has taken center stage. With the help of the government and the Growth with Equity in Mindanao-United States Assistance for International Development (GEM-USAID), the vegetable industry created the Normin Veggies and the Normin Corp, two distinct groups that handle different sides of vegetable production.

Normin Veggies takes care of the vegetable production side, looking for new technologies to help growers improve their productivity as well as standards.

Normin Corp. facilitates marketing of the products not only to the Visayas and Mindanao but also to Luzon as vegetables from the region have found their way into the biggest markets in Metro Manila.

Soon, the industry is looking into penetrating the world market, particularly neighboring Asian countries considering the distance and the shelf life of vegetables.

Along the way, the industry clustering concepts not only assure steady supply of vegetables, but also ensure that production gluts will be minimized if not totally eliminated.

The concept also eliminates the layers of traders within the supply chain. The industry was able to form the Normin Veggies Consolidation Center basically, which became the bagsakan of products coming from the farms.

Going bananas in Davao

The Davao Region, Davao del Norte province and the region of Compostela Valley -- the banana capital of the country -- are known as top job providers.

Aside from Cavendish bananas, which have found a niche in Japan and other world markets, the region has also been exporting banana chips to Europe, China and other countries.

The industry clustering has identified the strengths and weaknesses of the industry, the opportunities and obstacles and these issues are slowly been addressed.

In the industry cluster plan between 2005 and 2010, the industry hopes to generate at least $4.46 billion in exports, about 145,000 new jobs, 18,000 hectares of new farms planted and about 882,000 metric tons in annual production.

The challenge that the industry has to face is how it could integrate efforts in improving the competitiveness of the industry players in terms of production, storage, packaging and distribution of the products, particularly those coming from the provinces.

With the help of government agencies and the cooperation from local government units, the private-sector led plan is not far-fetched.

Truly, industry clustering is the key to global competitiveness and Mindanao is leading the way!

Hmmm, mabubuhay pala ang Mindanao without the help of Luzon and Visayas.

Just a nugget! No radical intention. ^^

Hmmm, mabubuhay pala ang Mindanao without the help of Luzon and Visayas.

Just a nugget! No radical intention. ^^

on the other hand....Luzon and Visayas cannot live without Mindanao...

Just a nugget! No radical intention part 2^^

nugget jud ...nuggets of gold

hushhhhhh those nuggets girls...

hmmmm....SSC girls are getting sexier....:)

some projects are also pet projects of politicians that they want them included in the MTDP...even if not feasible but justifiable (because of this and that....):cheers:

i don't know kung sinong pet project is this tagum-panabo-davao-digos railway, but i know the panacan-toril LRT is the pet project of mayor duterte for davao city alone. it is included in his 10 point agenda. kung bakit umabot ng digos at tagum cities that i don't know, maybe the neighboring cities wanted it bigger.

RDC XI to push for Davao railway system, Samal Bridge project
By Glenrose on Dec 5, 2007 in News

Davao City (6 December) — Preparatory activities for the establishment of the Davao Railway System and the Samal Bridge Project are now well on their way after the Regional Development Council XI approved in its recent meeting the creation of a Task Force that will undertake project studies for the establishment of the said railway system and the bridge project.

RDC XI vice chairman Nicasio Angelo J. Agustin said that the Council is leading the efforts in pushing for the Davao Railway System – a project identified in the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP), 2004-2010 as crucial for industrial development of the Davao Region.

Agustin added that the railway system will be initially established traversing the major highway of Tagum City - Carmen - Panabo City - Davao City - Sta. Cruz - Digos City. These areas comprise the “linear urban corridor” that serves as the main hub of economic activities and social integration in the Davao Region. The cities in the “linear urban corridor” are also among the major “growth centers,” intended to strengthen and enhance existing economic zones and market exchange centers. Both “linear urban corridor” and the “growth centers” are part of the medium-term strategies for development outlined in the Regional Physical Framework Plan of the Davao Region.

On the other hand, Agustin noted that the construction of the Samal Bridge has long been recognized by the RDC XI as critical to spur development in the Island Garden City of Samal, as well as, serve as the link to the other growth centers in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental through the proposed roll-on/roll-off port facilities.

The Task Force is set to meet tomorrow, December 7, 2007 to discuss among other things the possible financing options for both projects. The group is composed of the regional directors of DTI XI, DOTC XI, DPWH XI and NEDA XI; Governors and Mayors of the local government units (LGU) of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Tagum City, Panabo City, Digos City, Davao City, IGACOS, and the Municipality of Sta. Cruz. The private sector is represented in the Task Force through the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).


source: http://mindanao.wowphilippines.com/davao/2007/12/05/rdc-xi-to-push-for-davao-railway-system-samal-bridge-project/


Gusto kong unahin muna nila yung bridge. Kahit later na yung railway project...

some projects are also pet projects of politicians that they want them included in the MTDP...even if not feasible but justifiable (because of this and that....):cheers:


Hmmm, very intriguing. Can you elaborate more on that...please?

i don't know kung sinong pet project is this tagum-panabo-davao-digos railway, but i know the panacan-toril LRT is the pet project of mayor duterte for davao city alone. it is included in his 10 point agenda. kung bakit umabot ng digos at tagum cities that i don't know, maybe the neighboring cities wanted it bigger.


Let's extend it a little bit more - from Sta. Cruz to Panabo traversing the city of Davao. I think this was the original plan and has been intended to service the Metro Davao agglomeration. :)

wrong posting

Hmmm, very intriguing. Can you elaborate more on that...please?

not feasible means on the economic side, the rate of return is meager compared to the cost of the project.

e.g.
Construct a concrete 20-kilometer 4-lane highway from town A to town B, where population is sparse and economic activity is just about enough for the 2 towns. -- NOT FEASIBLE

JUSTIFICATION -- In the past 20+ years, town A and town B residents have suffered hardships in commuting resulting to accidents, deaths, highway robbery, etc...plus the lack of road infrastructure hindered the progress of the towns and their agricultural industry suffered. Further, the concreting of the roads will minimize maintenance costs as compared to all-weather macadam road.

:cheers:

^

Thanks for the lecture...though just like every schooled Juan and Pedro in the country, I know what you've been talking about.

Who would ever cast doubt on the viability and justifiability of projects like those mentioned in a country that still wallows in infrastructure scarce in this day and age. When it comes to the proposed railway and the bridge for Davao, these projects have long been deemed as vital to the economy of the region but only got relegated to the backburners for luck of support from the national government. I don't want to rant about this anymore as this is just a futile excercise. Let's just see what the taskforce can pull off for this undertaking and in my case I think I would just have to veer away from the doubting Thomases just like some of us here in this forum.

not feasible means on the economic side, the rate of return is meager compared to the cost of the project.

e.g.
Construct a concrete 20-kilometer 4-lane highway from town A to town B, where population is sparse and economic activity is just about enough for the 2 towns. -- NOT FEASIBLE

JUSTIFICATION -- In the past 20+ years, town A and town B residents have suffered hardships in commuting resulting to accidents, deaths, highway robbery, etc...plus the lack of road infrastructure hindered the progress of the towns and their agricultural industry suffered. Further, the concreting of the roads will minimize maintenance costs as compared to all-weather macadam road.

:cheers:

^^ nice, very detailed explanation there gearx. it shows that most of the projects implemented by the government are more of the "justified" side than the "feasible" one. that's because primarily the government's mandate is to serve... concreting the whole stretch of basilan is an example. with regards to the railway project of davao cities, i guess it's justifiable in the sense that the bus transport, serving 24 hours, could no longer give premium service to the 2 million people traversing these cities. and people need fast transport other than being comfortable and safe. about its feasibility to earn, an international firm and the philippine based javlon international inc. already conducted a thorough research last year and it's just suffice to say that the result is positive otherwise the council/cities should have acted negatively about it. and under the BOT scheme, the business is primarily concentrated to the financing third party, and that's their problem, why bid if it is not feasible di ba? so there, the davao railway is justified and feasible, of course IMHO :)

source of the feasibility study:
http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=10710

exactly right ^^...let me take another example with that of Napocor. Napocor built many power plants from Hydropower, Diesel, Coal, etc....at staggering costs which began during the power crisis in the mid-90s. Napocor's loans was JUSTIFIED because we were at crisis. Now comes the power rates as being billed by Napocor to the Electric Coops and Distribution Utilities such as MERALCO. On the economics aspect, if you buy P1.00, you can re-sell it at P1.05 but not less than P1.00 because you'll be at a loss. In Napocor's case, the cost of putting up the power plants should have been computed at rates FEASIBLE to pay the loans. But this did not happen because Napocor's P1.00 was sold at P0.25 (just an analogy). This is why Napocor's debts increased exponentially as time went by. Of course, the P0.25 was just what the public can afford. Otherwise, Napocor would not get anything from the buying public...

:cheers:

ang masasabi ko lang... parang ganyan ang nangyayari sa buong pinas.
we trade efficiency with EXTRAvagance :ohno:

^^ that's why the BOT scheme is the best option for income generating projects because the government is not business oriented but rather service oriented. you let private firms to build and operate projects for 30 years, no cost from the government... after the said period, it will be given to the government at no cost at all. extravagance only applies to projects funded by the gov't itself that are overpriced neverminding if it is efficient or not.

Spanish, RP firms ink $150M deal on biodiesel projects (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=101710)

Spain's Green Fuel Corporacion and the Philippines' Guidance Management Corp. inked a $150-million joint venture deal for the development of biodiesel projects in the Philippines.

The joint venture, which is open to other local partners from the fuel distribution sector, will have an annual vegetable oil processing capacity of 200,000 tons and a biodiesel plant with a capacity of 110,000 tons per year.

The production involves securing raw materials via mass cultivation of oleaginous plants like coconut, palm and jatropha and crushin, extraction and refining of oil from these materials.

The projects' initial phase will involve the planting of palm in a 60,000-hectare land in Mindanao.

The joint venture is expected to create jobs for some 10,000 families in the area.

"The company's presence in the Philippines, apart from expanding the raw material base required for our projects, opens up the path to Asia region, with enormous economic growth potential, where more than half of the world's population live near a country (the Philippines) that is historically rooted with Spain," said José Luis del Val, Green Fuel Corporación president.

^^Wow a lot of investments are pouring in from Spain, probably because of the recent state visit by Arroyo. Pero what i dont get is why the media are still calling the state visit a junket, when it clearly is raking in multi-million dollar investments

not feasible means on the economic side, the rate of return is meager compared to the cost of the project.

e.g.
Construct a concrete 20-kilometer 4-lane highway from town A to town B, where population is sparse and economic activity is just about enough for the 2 towns. -- NOT FEASIBLE

JUSTIFICATION -- In the past 20+ years, town A and town B residents have suffered hardships in commuting resulting to accidents, deaths, highway robbery, etc...plus the lack of road infrastructure hindered the progress of the towns and their agricultural industry suffered. Further, the concreting of the roads will minimize maintenance costs as compared to all-weather macadam road.

:cheers:

points taken GearX, but these are 'Developmental' projects....and the term developmental in its strictest sense is TO Develop....to facilitate development... and not just to gain short term return of investments....

this does not mean that just because the area is meager in economic activity that they deserve less infrastructure support....and that does not entirely mean the project is not feasible.

you build infra precisely because you want a place to develop.....to harness the potential of the area by opening a doorway for subsequent development...

feasibility isnt at all short term returns.... its also the potentiality for further development.

Our vital highways (Iligan-CDO-Butuan, Sayre, Surigao-Butuan-Davao, etc)
would have not been built if they once thought they will just traverse vast forests and wilderness anyway.

They are built precisely because they would eventually become a tool for consequential growth...not far from where we are now,we may see an urban beltway rising along the ribbons of our hi-ways in between our centers in Mindanao...:)

^

Well said Bob-bxu!

Malanyaon, GMA witness signing of $200M investment for Davao Oriental
http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3466&Itemid=247


CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental (Davao Oriental Information Office) -- Governor Corazon Malanyaon and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who have just arrived in the country from a week-long state visit in Spain witnessed the signing of a joint venture investment worth at least $200 million for the province of Davao Oriental.
Philippine-based company Guidance Management Corporation (GMC) signed an agreement with the Spain-based firm Green Fuel Corporation for a joint venture that will undertake several bio-fuel projects in Davao Oriental.

The agreement was signed at a business meeting last December 4 in Spain's capital, Madrid. The signing was witnessed by President Arroyo, Gov. Malanyaon, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Senator Miguel Zubiri who authored the the Philippine Biofuels Act and top officials of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations.

The project's investment in its initial phase is estimated at $150 million which will be allocated to planting of at least 60,000 hectares of palm in Davao Oriental, creating jobs for some 10,000 families in the province.

Green Fuel Corporation is a biodiesel company whose shareholders include Spanish utility Endesa and Tecnicas Reunidas, one of the world's largest general contractors. The unprecedented and historic link-up between a European and Philippine companies is by far the most comprehensive joint venture agreement signed to date for the Philippine biodiesel industry as the joint venture will develop the entire value chain, encompassing the procurement of feedstock, oil crushing, extraction and refining as well as the production of biodiesel.

The Chairman of GMC, Jack Rodríguez, defined the relations with GFC, as “strategic for the joint development of vertically integrated biodiesel projects in the Philippines”. President Arroyo has pledged her full support for the joint venture, while Senator Zubiri and Governor Malanyaon have underlined their commitment to facilitating the development of this milestone biodiesel project. For his part, the President of GFC, José Luis del Val, stated “that the presence in the Philippines, apart from expanding the raw material base required for our projects, opens up the path to a region, Asia, with enormous economic growth potential, where more than half of the world’s population live, from a country (the Philippines) historically rooted with Spain.”

As part of the agreement, both companies have constituted a joint-venture, open to the incorporation of other local partners from the fuel distribution sector, as well as companies that can add value to the biodiesel production chain, with the objective of securing raw materials (coconut, palm and jatropha oils) via mass cultivation of oleaginous plants, the construction of an oil crushing, extraction and refining unit with an annual vegetable oil processing capacity of 200,000 tons and a biodiesel plant with a production capacity of 110,000 tons per year. This will be followed by the gradual expansion of the company to other countries in Southeast Asia.

The initial steps of the project are directed towards the extraction of coconut oil, of which there are plenty in Davao Oriental, and the planting of a high-yielding variety of oil palm for feedstock, to be followed by the sowing of jatropha, once its economic viability and availability in sufficiently large quantities can be guaranteed.

The project’s investment in its initial phase is estimated at US$ 150 million, which will be allocated to planting 60,000 hectares of oil palm on ancestral and public lands in Davao Oriental, creating jobs for some 10,000 families of indigenous people.

Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon said that she was "grateful no end" to President Arroyo for her "all-out support" to their efforts to sell the province's investment and tourism sites to the world market. She also said that another "big amount of investment" is set to be poured in the province by investors from China who have planned to put up a fish processing plant in Davao Oriental.

However, top officials of the local government here are jubilant upon hearing the news of a big biofuel investment in Davao Oriental. "Good news for the people of Davao Oriental!," says the mayor of the City of Mati, Michelle Nakpil Rabat. Davao Oriental Second District Rep. Thelma Almario said many people in the province will finally get "much needed" employment with the entry of a big biofuel investor here as majority of the people here are heavily dependent on the ailing coconut industry.

ABOUT GREEN FUEL:
Green Fuel Corporación, which counts as shareholders Spanish multinationals Endesa, Técnicas Reunicas, Tepro Consultores and Asturian engineering group TSK, is leading the development of the biodiesel sector in Spain through a vertical integration model, and aspires to convert itself in the global reference in the sector, through the signing of agreements in raw material-producing countries, such as the Philippines, Argentina, Bulgaria or Rumania, among others. The company has initiated a strategic development plan, which will culminate in the construction of 6 biodiesel plants in Spain: Extremadura (already in construction), Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha and Catalonia. Its investment program totals some 350 million Euros distributed among Spain, Portugal, Eastern Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.

ABOUT GUIDANCE MANAGEMENT:
Guidance Management Corporation (GMC) is a Philippine conglomerate with interests in the mining, agriculture, and energy sectors, among others. Its entry into the Philippine biodiesel industry follows the opportunities detected by the company, and which it plans to jointly development with Green Fuel. (Ferdinand Zuasola, Davao Oriental Information Office)

PIA Press Release
2007/12/08
Davao Oriental site of biggest biofuel investment
By Mai Gevera

Davao City (8 December) -- Davao Oriental is the newest investment site between the Philippines and Spain on biofuel sourcing as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed a $200 million palm oil investment venture.

Governor Corazon Malanyaon witnessed the signing between President Arroyo and the Spain-based firm Green Fuel Corporation that will work with the Philippines' Guidance Management Corporation.

It is one the reasons for the President's visit in Spain is to personally get involved in the critical phases of negotiations of the more than P9 billion agriculture-related projects that are set to benefit the Filipino people. Most of the agreements signed are focusing on the large-scale production of Jatropha as an alternative energy source and as a feedstock.

The investment to be made in Davao Oriental is just one of the agriculture-related investments to be started very soon. Davao Oriental will be the home of the 60,000-hectare palm oil plantation that is estimated to alleviate the lives of 10,000 families in the said province.

President Arroyo expressed full support for such investment as this is believed to be so strategic in developing the vertically integrated biodiesel projects in the Philippines.

Once the investment will be established, other value chain are expected to gain a positive effect especially on the procurement of feedstock, oil crushing, extraction, and the biodiesel production.

Even local companies can benefit from the said negotiation since the Green Fuel Corporation and the Guidance Management Corporation agreed to open the incorporation with local companies especially from the fuel distribution sector.

It will open more business opportunities such as the construction of an oil crushing facility that can accommodate 200,000 tons. Another plan is to set up a biodiesel plant that can handle a production of about 110,000 tons per year. The agreement also cited the plan of expanding the company to other parts of Southeast Asia. (PIA XI) [top]

PIA Press Release
2007/12/08
Barangay chief pleased with gov't programs in Diwalwal
by JMD Abangan

DIWATA, Compostela Valley (8 December) -- Mt. Diwata Punong Barangay Francisco Tito expressed gladness over efforts of national line agencies in addressing some socio-economic concerns in the gold-rush.

Barangay Mt. Diwata popularly known as Mt. Diwalwal used to be tagged as a "no man's land" where small mining groups were up against each other for precious gold ore that they could mine in the area.

More than 20 kilometers from the municipality of Monkayo in the province of Compostela Valley Province, Barangay Diwata sits at the 729 hectare gold-rush site where small miners are operating.

Small scale mining area is a parcel of the 8,100 hectares mining reservation area which embraces the provinces of Compostela Valley of the Davao Region and parts of the Caraga Region.

Development of the entire mining area has been placed under government supervision through Executive Order 217 issued on June 17, 2003. (Revised through E.O. 258 on December 13, 2003 reconstituting the National Task Force Diwalwal, designating the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as task force head).

The EO also mandates the creation of the National Task Force Diwalwal (NTFD)under which the Project Monitoring and Coordination Center (PMCC) is working to put on the ground various government interventions to address some of the pressing concerns in the area.

Government line agencies involved in the NTFD-PMCC are grouped into task forces on information, mining development, environment protection, internal security and political matters.

While the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) heads the NTFD at the national level, DENR regional director sits as chair of the PMCC at the regional level.

"Modayeg ko sa angay nga dayegon ug mosaway ko kung angay sawayon. Pero sa tinuod, daghan ng kaayohan nga nahatag sa gobyerno dinhi." (I would commend if worthy but would criticize if needed but in truth, the government has done much here.) he said in a press conference conducted during the media tour Thursday (December 06, 2007).

Tito noted a lot of improvement on peace and order in the area made possible through the close watch of the 28th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The 28th IB has continuously conducted internal security and intelligence operations, enforcement of environmental and natural resources laws while also providing security and rescue assistance when needed.

The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) which heads the Mining and Environment Task Group, has conducted underground verifications and assessment of mining operations, safety inspection and assessment of mine tunnels, investigation of landslides incidents and implemented the Naboc River Rehabilitation Project, among other concerns.

Working under the Mining and Environment Task Group, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), conducts monitoring of firms using cyanide and mercury and looks into the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management program of Barangay Diwata.

The Ecosystem Research and Development Operations of DENR and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Monkayo also work under the Mining and Environment Task Group. They are also implementing their respective projects on environmental protection in Mt. Diwata.

The largest convergence of national line agencies, the Socio-Economic Task Group brings together the departments of Social Welfare and Development, education, trade and industry, labor and employment, agriculture, health.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) are also part of the Socio-Economic Task Group.

Some of the socio-economic interventions in Barangay Diwata include housing project, day care services, counseling services, self-employment assistance, maternal health services, immunization, livelihood skills training particularly on jewelry-making cosmetology, product promotion and enhancement, enterprise development training among youth,

Socio-economic agencies also have conducted and implemented orientation on child labor laws, animal dispersal, seedling distribution, alternative learning system, accreditation and equivalency, workshop on bookkeeping, health survey, healthy lifestyle check seminar.

The Socio-Economic group also gives attention on the plight of the indigenous peoples with the NCIP at the helm, conducting technical review of the ancestral domain claims within the declared mineral reservation area.

NCIP also has conducted assemblies with IPs in the area to heed their concerns as stakeholders of mining development of Mt. Diwata.

NEDA of the same group has made it possible for Barangay Diwata to come up with the Mt. Diwata Barangay Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which mans the Political Task Group has been showing its presence in most occasions when Socio-Economic Group and Information Task Group are undertaking activities in Barangay Diwata.

It is also monitoring the political situation of the area.

With the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as the lead agency, the Information Task Group recently conducted a media tour during in which significant accomplishments of PMCC member agencies were showcased.

Meanwhile, the DENR as PMCC chair is coordinating all projects and activities of the convergence body and regularly forwards reports to NTFD. (PIA XI) [top]

I concur @Bob-bXu

Also, RDCs are also asked to categorize which project are deemed priority and which are not. Priority projects are mostly developmental or infrastructure projects which are intended TO SPUR GROWTH, thus return of investments is not in the agenda. These are usually funded by the National Government.

On the other hand, most pet projects from politicians are those which are inserted in government agencies' budgets (e.g. DPWH, DAR, DEPED, etc...) which are their bargaining chips during budget hearings at Congress. It is also where the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) come in...and you know what I mean.

:cheers:


points taken GearX, but these are 'Developmental' projects....and the term developmental in its strictest sense is TO Develop....to facilitate development... and not just to gain short term return of investments....

this does not mean that just because the area is meager in economic activity that they deserve less infrastructure support....and that does not entirely mean the project is not feasible.

you build infra precisely because you want a place to develop.....to harness the potential of the area by opening a doorway for subsequent development...

feasibility isnt at all short term returns.... its also the potentiality for further development.

Our vital highways (Iligan-CDO-Butuan, Sayre, Surigao-Butuan-Davao, etc)
would have not been built if they once thought they will just traverse vast forests and wilderness anyway.

They are built precisely because they would eventually become a tool for consequential growth...not far from where we are now,we may see an urban beltway rising along the ribbons of our hi-ways in between our centers in Mindanao...:)

^^ all projects in this government of ours have SOPs, sad but true. from waiting sheds, to roads, airports, bridges, convention centers, everything under the sun. so alam na natin even before pa na conceive ang project na kasama na ang SOP dyan, ma pa government man o sa contractor.

^^ isali mo pa ang revolutionary tax ng mga NPA sa mga NPA infested areas :ohno:

IMO, I might accept the railway traversing the Davao Gulf cities as not economically feasible in the meantime. But the bridge between Samal and Davao City is a project that government must seriously consider as early as now, taking into light the tremendously fast rate the developments in Samal are going at present. The bridge is far, way too far, from being far-fetched.

IMO, I might accept the railway traversing the Davao Gulf cities as not economically feasible in the meantime. But the bridge between Samal and Davao City is a project that government must seriously consider as early as now, taking into light the tremendously fast rate the developments in Samal are going at present. The bridge is far, way too far, from being far-fetched.
yeah samal bridge. but you thaink projected economic growths of tagum and panabo cities would not warrant early anticipation of railway. i think population growth in these cities has to be anticipated as early. there are othere emerging cities and industrialising towns around davao gulf too

I concur @Bob-bXu

Also, RDCs are also asked to categorize which project are deemed priority and which are not. Priority projects are mostly developmental or infrastructure projects which are intended TO SPUR GROWTH, thus return of investments is not in the agenda. These are usually funded by the National Government.
On the other hand, most pet projects from politicians are those which are inserted in government agencies' budgets (e.g. DPWH, DAR, DEPED, etc...) which are their bargaining chips during budget hearings at Congress. It is also where the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) come in...and you know what I mean.
:cheers:
i hope i got what it means and its vey sad reading all along stories of screaming corruptions deeply roted within every processes in the system. i dont blame the leadership for what has become a culture. a culture of politics tha is disgacefully eroding hope ofa better future. its just sad

developental project I think is a noble undertaking. but by how it fared in the politics of funding, mindanaos poor regions neded to play harder. evn before it reaches this stage, there is perceptively subjective and objective manipulations in feasibity studies to justify projects of influential regions. what i dont understand is the redundance of an infrastructur in an area that could only be fairly justified by an overflow of cash from national treasury to finance. would have been acceptable if infra redundance is within a just and fair equitable share of budget appropriations, by any means “spend your share whatever you want to”. but its not. not even a fair go against an area which growth severely restricted bec suport infrastructures wearing out maximum capacities or is obviously strained by high usage an demand.

List of Accredited Hospitals and Clinics In Mindanao


REGION IX

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE

1. DIPOLOG MEDICAL CENTER
Mibang, Sta. Filomena, Dipolog City
Phone (065) 212-2555
Coordinator: STEPHEN YAP. M.D.

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

1. PAGADIAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Balangasan DIstrict , Pagadian City
Phone (062) 214-2442
Coordinator: EDUARDO JAMELARIN, M.D.

ZAMBOANGA CITY

1. BRENT HOSPITAL, INC
Justice RT Lim Blvd., Zamboanga City
Phone (062) 991-2507
Coordinator: GRACIA S. GACRAMA, M.D.

2. WESTERN MINDANAO MEDICAL CENTER
Veterans Ave., Ext. Zamboanga City
Phone (062) 991-2506
Coordinator: ARACELI G. SORIA, M.D.

3. ZAMBOANGA DOCTORS HOSPITAL
Veterans Ave., Zamboanga City
Phone (062) 991-1929
Coordinator: EDWINA CABATO, M.D.

REGION X

BUKIDNON

1. LAVINA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Manuel L. Quezon St., Poblacion, Valencia City
Phone (088) 222-2110
Coordinator: POLICARPO MURILLO IV, M.D.

CAGAYAN DE ORO-MISAMIS ORIENTAL

1. CAGAYAN CAPITOL GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION INC.
Gusa Highway, cagayan De Oro City
Phone (0882) 723-215
Coordinator: MARIA MARGARET QUIBLAT, M.D.

2. CAGAYAN DE ORO MEDICAL CENTER
Nacalaban Tiano, Brother St., Cagayan De Oro City
Phone (0882) 728-307
Coordinator: FRANCISCO OH, M.D.

3. CAGYAN DE ORO POLYMEDIC GENERAL HOSPITAL
Apolinar Velez St., Cagayan De Oro City
Phone (08822) 728-599
Coordinator: RUBEN GO, M.D.

4. MADONNA & CHILD HOSPITAL
Vamenta St., Carmen, Cagayan De Oro
Phone (08822) 723-230
Coordinator: MIGUEL KHO, M.D

SPECIAL CLINIC

FOR OUT PATIENT

CAGAYAN MULTI SPECIALIST DIAGNOSTIC CENTER
Cor. Camp Alagar Rd. Lapsan H-way,
Cagayan de Oro City
Phone (08822) 856-3045
Coordinator; GERARDO CASIÑO, M.D.


OZAMIS CITY-MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL

1. FAITH HOSPITAL
Las Aguadas, Ozamis City
Phone (088) 221-2101
Coordinator: ANGEL FELICIANO, M.D.

2. MEDINA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Jose Abad Santos St., Ozamis City
Phone (088) 521-0125
Coordinator: MAXIMO MINTALLAR, M.D.

3. ST. THERESE HOSPITAL
Layawan, Oroquieta City
Phone (088) 531-1274
Coordinator; ARSIE BUAQUINA, M.D.



REGION XI

DAVAO CITY

1. DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL
118 E. Quirino, Davao City
Phone (082) 221-2101
Coordinator: HONORIO HILARIO, MD

2. RICARDO LIMSO MEDICAL CENTER
Ilustre St., Davao City
Phone (082) 226-2701 / 226-3888
Coordinator: AUGUSTUS SANCHEZ, M.D.

3. SAN PEDRO HOSPITAL OF DAVAO CITY, INC.
G. Guzman Guevarra St., DC
Phone (082) 221-4950
Coordinator; JUDY ANN GATMIN, M.D.

DAVAO DEL NORTE

1. RIVERA MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
7302 San Francisco, Panabo City
Phone (084) 628-5234
Coordinator; RAMON M. RIVERA, M.D.

2. SOMOSO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Quezon St., Panabo City
Phone (084)292-5912
Corrdinator; RIZALDO GONZALES, M.D.

3. TAGUM DOCTORS HOSPITAL
H-way 54, Tagum City
Phone (084) 218-2309
Coordinator; OSCAR DEL ROSARIO, M.D.

DAVAO ORIENTAL

1. ST CAMLLUS HOSPITAL
OF MATI-FOUNDATION, INC.
Madang, Mati, Davao Oriental
Phone (087) 388-3682
Coordiantor; Mr. ALLEN RECLA

DAVAO DEL SUR

1. DIGOS DOCTORS HOSPITAL
Mc Arthur Highway, Digos, Davao del Sur
Phone (082) 553-3484
Coordinator; ENRIQUE DOROMAL, M.D.

2. GONZALES MARANAN CLINIC & HOSPITAL
Quezon Ave., Digos Davao del Sur
Phone (082) 553-2474
Coordinator; ELI MOLINA, M.D.

SPECIAL CLINIC

FOR OUT PATIENT

COMMUNITY HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE HOSPITAL
Anda Riverside, Magallanes Interrior, Davao City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

1. GENERAL SANTOS DOCTORS HOSPITAL
National H-way, General Santos City
Phone (083) 552-3141
Coordinator; Daniel Go Yap, M.D.

2. SOCSARGEN COUNTY HOSPITAL
Bula Lagao Rd., cor Arradaza st., General Santos City
Phone (083) 553-8906
Coordinator; JOSE SF VELASQUEZ, M.D.

3. ST. ELIZABETH HOSPITAL
National H-way, General Santos City
Phone (083) 302-1547
Coordinator; JESUS VENERACION, M.D.

REGION XII

ILIGAN CITY-LANAO DEL NORTE

1. DR. UY HOSPITAL, INC.
19 Roxas Ave., Iligan City
Phone (063) 221-3414
Coordinator; RACHEL VALDEZ, M.D.

2. E AND R HOSPITAL & PHARMACY
Benito St., Labao Ext, Iligan City
Phone (063) 221-1207
Coordinator; EVELYN DUGAY-BANDOJO, M.D.

3. MERCY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Camague, Iligan City
Phone (063) 221-8376
Coordinator; ALMA PALACIO, M.D.

KIDAPAWAN CITY - NORTH COTABATO

1. KIDAPAWAN MEDICAL SPECIALIST CENTER, INC.
Old PC Barracks, Sudapin, Kidapawan City
Phone (064) 288-1762
Coordinator; CHRISTOPHER EMBALSADO, M.D.

2. MADONNA GENERAL HOPSITAL
Quezon Rd., Kidapawan City
Phone (064) 288-1794
Coordinator; ALENJANDRO R. VILLEGAS, M.D.

SULTAN KUDARAT

1. QUIJANO CLINIC HOSPITAL
National Highway, Tacurong City
Phone (064) 200-4177
Coordinator; BELEN K. PASCASIO, M.D.

2. SULTAN KUDARAT DOCTORS HOSPITAL
Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat
Phone (064) 200-3012
Coordinator; SOLEDAD T. EUGENIO, M.D.

BUTUAN CITY - AGUSAN DEL SUR

1. BUTUAN DOCTORS HOSPITAL
Zamora St., Butuan City
Phone (085) 342-8569
Coordinator; OLIVERIO BENAJE, M.D.

2. MANUEL J. SANTOS HOSPITAL
554 Montilla Blvd., Brgy. Diego Silang, Butuan City
Phone (085) 341-2222
Coordinator; TEODORO VESAGAS, M.D.

SURIGAO DEL NORTE

1. GRACE CHRISTIAN CLINIC AND HOSPITAL
Capitol Rd., Surigao City
Phone (086) 231-7530
Coordinator; LIXBERTO CASTRO, M.D.

2. MIRANDA FAMILY HOSPITAL
Km. 1 Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte
Phone (086) 826-8995
Coordinator; JOSEFINO MIRANDA, M.D.

COTABATO CITY

1. COTABATO MEDICAL SPECIALIST HOSPITAL
Quezon Ave., Cotabato City
Phone (064) 421-4145
Coordinator; ROSMARIE AGUSTIN, M.D.

2. SORILLA MEDICAL
& MATERNITY CLINIC/HOSPITAL
National H-way, Tulunan Cotabato City
Phone (0912) 701-8163
Coordinator; GADI NATHAN SORILLA, M.D.



http://www.rxpinoy.com/ofwhealth/visaya.html

please add sa title mo whose accredited list...
accreditation by whom?

^^ i had the same question.

bitaw... @farirah accreditation for WHAT?? ito.:):):)

preceeeding paragraph of the above accredited hospitals.

Where can I avail of
health care services from
MEDICard - OFW Health Passport?

Associated with MEDICard are over 8,500 accredited doctors and 500 dentists, in 318 hospitals and clinics nationwide. These numbers grow steadily as we continue in our never-ending quest to build the best HMO in the business.

The specialists cover the full range of professions including cardiologists, urologists, endocrinologists, anaesthesiologists and many more.

In this age of specialization, several doctors are better than one!

ok salamat sir paul sa clarification...:cheers::cheers:

bitaw... @farirah accreditation for WHAT?? ito.:):):)


Accreditation by Micky Mouse Company...:jk:

Davao City hosts Mindanao showcase
Manila Bulletin
By GIL M. ABARICO

DAVAO CITY—The Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) will be holding its project showcase and exhibit on Dec. 10-11 at the Davao Convention and Trade Center, featuring various presentations, talks, food technology demonstrations, and an open exhibit.


The project showcase and exhibit component of the event is being organized by the Jonallier Events Planning and Management.

The DIDP is a local government initiative of the four provinces (Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Compostela Valley) and cities (Davao, Tagum, Panabo, Digos, Igacos, and Mati) in the Davao region.

The DIDP board, its governing and highest policy-making body, is headed by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario as chair and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as vice chair.

Other local chief executives of local government units and their respective representative-heads of line agencies constitute its members. Davao City Administrator lawyer Wendel Avisado serves as the DIDP executive director.

DIDP is envisioned to promote and expand an effective and mutually beneficial undertaking through socio-economic cooperation and development, in support of the National Government Agenda for Peace and Development.

It aims to eradicate poverty, environmental degradation, inadequate social services and infrastructure facilities within its covered LGUs

To date, a total of 136 projects and programs had been proposed and contained in the DIDP master plan, broken down into the following sectors: economic development 39; tourism, nine; social development, 29, and infrastructure development, nine.

The Integrated Food Security Program (IFSP), one of the programs of the DIDP master plan, serves as the blueprint to strength agro-industrialization. It also supports the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (RA 8435), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture.

It is geared to reinforce the competitive advantaged in fruit, industrial crops and cutflowers in the region and to pursue opportunities in improving productivity in its existing and potential areas. It is also designed to enhance farmers and fishers income, encourage rural industries and village enterprise, among others.

$ 150-million JV to make biodiesel fuel in Mindanao
Manila Bulletin

Green Fuel Corporación of Spain, a biodiesel company owned by ENDESA and Tecnicas Reunidas, has successfully completed the negotiations for the landmark strategic agreement with Philippine company Guidance Management Corporation (GMC). by far the most comprehensive joint venture agreement signed to date for the Philippine biodiesel industry.


The $ 150-million project will develop the entire value chain, encompassing the procurement of feedstock, oil crushing,

Jack Rodriguez, GMC Chairman, defined the relations with GFC, as strategic for the joint development of vertically integrated biodiesel projects in the Philippines.

President Arroyo has pledged her full support for the joint venture, while Senator Zubiri and Governor Nuñez-Malanyaon have underlined their commitment to facilitating the development of this milestone biodiesel project.

Davao Oriental Governor Nuñez-Malanyaon said she was committed to its full extend my position and office as governor of Davao Oriental to support this project and assure its success.

For his part, the President of Green Fuel Corporación, José Luis del Val, stated that the presence in the Philippines, apart from expanding the raw material base required for our projects, opens up the path to the Asian region, with enormous economic growth potential, where more than half of the world s population live, from a country (the Philippines) historically rooted with Spain.

As part of the agreement, both companies have constituted a joint venture, open to the incorporation of other local partners from the fuel distribution sector, as well as companies that can add value to the biodiesel production chain, with the objective of securing raw materials (coconut, palm and jatropha oils) via mass cultivation of oleaginous plants, the construction of an oil crushing, extraction and refining unit with an annual vegetable oil processing capacity of 200,000 tons and a biodiesel plant with a production capacity of 110,000 ton/year. This will be followed by the gradual expansion of the company to other countries in the AsiaPacific region.

The initial steps of the project are directed towards the extraction of coconut oil, of which there are plenty of plantations in the zone and the planting of a high oil-yielding variety of oil palm used as feedstock, to be followed by the sowing of jatropha, once its economic viability and availability in sufficiently large quantities, can be guaranteed.

The project s investment in its initial phase is estimated at US$ 150 million, which will be allocated to planting 60,000 hectares of palm on the island of Mindanao, creating jobs for some 10,000 families in the zone.

GMC (GMC) is a Philippine conglomerate with interests in the mining, agriculture, energy and restaurant sectors, among others. Its entry into the Philippine biodiesel industry follows the opportunities detected by the company, and which it plans to jointly development with Green Fuel.

:applause::applause::applause::applause:

to all positive developments in Mindanao...time to fulfill the Land of Promises...

gawin na tayo ng bagong title:

Land of Fulfillment :D

In a few years Mindanao will be a primary growth engine in the Philippines

Monday, December 10, 2007
Capitol University brings 'Tales from Mindanao' of Ipag (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2007/12/10/life/capitol.university.brings.tales.from.mindanao.of.ipag.html)
By Jenette Mae B. Torayno

CAPITOL University sponsors the widely acclaimed Integrated Performing Arts Guild (Ipag), with its International touring production, "Tales from Mindanao," on December 8 at the Capitol University Gym.

Tales from Mindanao of Ipag is a tapestry of Mindanao stories, dances, music and rich visuals.


This has been performed in extensive national tours and has represented the country in many world festivals since its premiere in 1992 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Ipag is recognized as a leading Philippine Theatre Company today and has enthralled thousands in over 100 cities worldwide.

It captivates the audience with its awe-inspiring performance. Its recognition is exceptional, having receiving many critical acclaims and good reviews not only in the Philippines but also around the world.

It was founded in 1978 by Steven Patrick C. Fernandez and Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa. It is the resident cultural troupe of MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology of Iligan City.

This project of Capitol University propagates the beauty of Mindanao and skill of local artists.

Proceeds of the project will go to the Museum of Three Cultures of Capitol University, which is set to open in 2008. This museum is a prime cultural and educational showcase of Mindanao history and ethnology.
The university's promotion of the preservation of cultural heritage has been manifested from the support it has given to various cultural groups such as Douglas Nierras' Powerdance, Sining Kambayoka, the Philippine Madrigals, and now the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (Ipag).

Art Write By: Kelly Ramos-Palaganas
Surprising development in Mindanao-wide art contest


I am preparing for a trip to Davao and therefore writing this article earlier than usual, while the kids are asleep, for tomorrow might be a busy day. The Davao trip is to attend the awarding ceremonies and exhibition opening of the Philippine Art Awards 2007. This affair is merely for the regional competition winners in Mindanao; the other regions will have had their own ceremonies as well. Ours will be held on the 5th of December at 4pm in the Grand Aguila Ballroom of the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Lanang, Davao City. The list of winners was emailed to me by my good friend from Davao City, Mr. Abraham Garcia Jr.

And the top ten winners from Mindanao are: Mr. Michael Bacol of Cagayan de Oro with his entry titled “December 28” ; Mr. Errol Balcos of Cagayan de Oro with his entry titled “Project 69: No Cost Housing!” ; Mr. Oscar Floirendo of Cagayan de Oro with his entry titled “Self Portrait”; Ms. Mona Lisa Paderanga of Cagayan de Oro with her entry titled “Recollections” ; Ms. Kelly Ramos-Palaganas (yup, me!), of course Kagay-anon born and bred, with “Pen Pollock (or the Life of a Pen)” ; Mr. Kurt Lloyd Lluch who is from Iligan (and also a finalist last year when the competition wasn’t yet regionalized) with his entry “The Pendulum Swing”; Mr. Marcelino Necosia, Jr. from Bukidnon with his entry “The Unseen World”; Mr. Bryan Cabrera from Davao with “Heard, Seen, and Silence”; Mr. Rodney Yap also from Davao with “Securing Security Within Kingdoms and Borders”; and Mr. Juni Grapa from Dipolog with “Dula sa Panahon.”

Now, if you notice, half of the awardees are coming from our city. If you include the Iligan and Bukidnon winners, which in Abe’s list is also recorded as CDO, perhaps because the regional collection center for artworks is the Museo de Oro in our city, that would make 70% of the awardees as coming from our area here. I don’t know what to make of this data; I am merely reporting it as it is, not to brag about it or anything. Even the lady who gave me a call to inform me that I had won expressed astonishment. We all thought Davao would be the place for this kind of thing to happen, considering that the only two genuine Fine Arts schools in this island of Mindanao are to be found there. What do you make of that?

Incidentally, and while we're on the subject, I have been hearing talk around town of some university or other opening a Fine Arts department and I think it would be a good idea and about time too, especially considering this new surprising development in a Mindanao-wide art competition.

For questions, comments, and suggestions email artnanay@yahoo.com

source (http://themindanaocurrent.blogspot.com/)

In a few years Mindanao will be a primary growth engine in the Philippines



For that, pwede na ibalik ang long time ideology ng Mindanao Independence Movement na pinangulohan ni Reuben Canoy at Colonel Noble noong 1990. Do you still remember this event guys? :lol:

Anyway, just a nugget! No radical intention. (part 3)

For that, pwede na ibalik ang long time ideology ng Mindanao Independence Movement na pinangulohan ni Reuben Canoy at Colonel Noble noong 1990. Do you still remember this event guys? :lol:

Anyway, just a nugget! No radical intention. (part 3)

^^hehehe... ako kay statehood yung kay Cabangbang...:lol::lol::lol:

INQUIRER MINDANAO
Mindanao bloggers unite for peace
By Jeffrey M. Tupas
Inquirer
Last updated 06:07am (Mla time) 12/09/2007


DAVAO CITY, Philippines -- While most gatherings of bloggers are nailed on how to possibly earn huge money from this cyber exchange, which is almost as mundane as updating one’s web log, the first Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit talked about how to strive for peace.

Attended by almost a hundred bloggers from various parts of the island on Oct. 28 at the NCCC mall in Davao City, the summit aimed to promote the diverse cultures and identities of Mindanao in the hope of narrowing gaps that provoke conflict and misunderstanding.

A number of those who came were journalists, writers, artists and students, who even passed a resolution encouraging other bloggers to write about Mindanao as a “contribution to fostering understanding and peace.”

One of the summit’s major supporters, the United Nations Act for Peace Programme, and the Inquirer Mindanao Bureau drafted the resolution.

All shapes and sizes

The summit seeks “to bring together bloggers of all shapes and sizes, of varied beliefs and convictions, to a common venue, and hopefully together come up with answers to this question: What can we accomplish as bloggers to contribute to peace and understanding?” Oliver Robillo, the organizers’ team leader, said.

Robillo said the bloggers must open the windows to what is Mindanao for the world to see and appreciate, contrary to what is often highlighted in local and foreign media.

“Even our fellow Filipinos in Luzon and the Visayas are blind to the reality of our island,” he said.

“Through our collective voices, we will be able to effect certain improvements. By letting our blogs’ readers see our everyday lives, our work, our involvement, our passions --which we write about -- they will be given a glimpse of the true images of Mindanao,” Robillo said.

“By our blogging, the negative publicity surrounding the Philippine South might soon be overcome.”

According to the resolution, the bloggers would exploit the new medium of expression and information exchange to write stories about the “beauty of Mindanao’s people, culture, places, creativity as their contribution to foster understanding and peace on the island.”

Peace agents

“The participants have held Mindanao close to their hearts and are aware of its diverse people, rich cultures and amazing places,” it said. They “recognize the need to continually communicate with one another to know and understand Mindanao and its people through the available technology.”

Now posted at the www.mindanaobloggers.com, more bloggers said they were willing to become peace agents by supporting the resolution.

Fr. Albert Alejo, a peace advocate and one of the speakers, said peace building and promotion could be done in many ways, like writing stories about the goodness of people, especially those who are in the margins of society.

“We have to touch the heart where the violence starts … we have to create more images that touch the heart,” Alejo said.

The stories must tell about how government policies and officials further push the poor aside.

“Let us write about corruption because corruption is violence. Let us talk about Malacañang because Malacañang is violence,” Alejo said.

“We have to start writing about the billions of dollars coming in if the final peace agreement is signed between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front … we have to write about this before the money gets squandered by corrupt government officials.”

More Spanish firms want to invest in bio-fuel sector
Manila Standard Today


Investments worth over billions of pesos have been lined up for the development of the bio-fuels industry, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said over the weekend.

Zubiri, principal author of the Biofuels Law, said Coromoto Comunicacion of Spain was looking at investing some $100 million for a bio-diesel plant in southern Bukidnon.

Zubiri said representatives from Coromoto, a Spanish fund management group, would visit the Philippines next week to study the prospect of using jatropha plant as feedstock for a bio-diesel plant.

“They are a big corporation from Madrid and they are planning to enter into jatropha,” he said.

Zubiri also cited the planned investment of JGC Corp. of Japan for a P2-billion bio-fuel processing plant in San Mariano, Isabela.

JGC is a global engineering construction company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. The company designs and builds plants and other projects for a wide range of industries, including petroleum refining, gas processing petrochemicals and nuclear energy.

Another Spanish company, Abengoa Bionergy, had expressed interest in investing $175 million in the local bio-fuels industry, Zubiri said. The company, which owns and operates five ethanol facilities throughout the US and Europe, plans to put up a similar plant in Ozamis City.

“They are looking at an area of 48,000 hectares for its planned investment,” he said.

Spanish bio-diesel firm Bionor Transformacion S.A. also wants to invest $200 million to develop at least 100,000 hectares of land into jatropha plantations. The investment includes the construction of a bio-diesel plant.

Green Fuel Inc., another Spanish firm, plans to invest $100 million to $150 million for a biodiesel plant in Davao Oriental. Alena Mae S. Flores

Monday, December 10, 2007
Davao City receives award for smoke-free initiative
The Manila Times


Davao City was among the recipients of the 2007 Smoke-Free Awards at the recent Asean Workshop on the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 8 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The article 8 of the FCTC, which is the world’s first global health treaty, aims to rid all public places of tobacco smoke.

Domilyn Villareiz, MD, of the World Health Organization (WHO), Manila in behalf of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, received the award for Davao City.

In her presentation during the workshop, Villareiz stressed that even before the Philippine national tobacco control legislation was enacted in 2004, Davao City was already implementing its own comprehensive antismoking ordinance that prohibits smoking in public transport, public accommodations, entertainment establishments and other public places since 2002. Villareiz says that Duterte, known for his no-nonsense, tough style of governance has publicly declared that, “It is politically insulting and incorrect to smoke in front of people.”

In addition to Davao, other local governments, government officials and NGOs from Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Laos have led the way in creating FCTC-compliant smoke-free areas were also bestowed the 2007 Smoke-Free Award.

Commending the efforts of anti-tobacco advocates in the region, Senator Prakit Vathesathogkit of Thailand, one of the event’s notable speakers says, “Smoke-free areas are one of the most important components of tobacco control, together with tax and marketing restrictions.”

Speaking on the life-saving component of the initiative, Burke Fishburn, WHO Regional Coordinator for the Tobacco-Free Initiative of the Western Pacific Region points out, “There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke that is why the WHO has long emphasized that the implementation of 100-percent smoke-free environments is the only strategy proven to provide an acceptable level of protection from the dangers of second-hand smoke exposure.”

The workshop for the implementation of Article 8 of the FCTC was a collaborative initiative of the WHO, the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, the Action on Smoking and Health and the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.
--Perry Gil S. Mallari

bipor ay porget:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/card.jpg

Minimal impact expected in Mindanao urban areas (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW121307/content.php?id=073)

DAVAO CITY — Local officials and individual drivers yesterday said the public transportation protest action in Mindanao’s urban centers today will not have an impact compared to similar strikes in previous years.

Just the same, the Traffic Management Center in this city is prepared in case the strike will generate support from the 7,000 jeepney drivers.

Traffic center chief Celso T. Gempesaw has met with traffic enforcers and officials from the Land Transportation Office to draw up contingency measures, including the deployment of buses to ferry stranded commuters.

Edil Gonzaga, spokesman for Transport of Southern Mindanao for Solidarity, Independence and Nationalism-Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Transmission-Piston), earlier vowed full participation from jeepney drivers in today’s transport strike.

But based on random interviews, many drivers here noted they will not join the strike since "this will boil down to nothing."

In Cagayan de Oro City, the Solidarity of Transport Alliance in Region 10 (Starex) said it will join the nationwide protest but another major transport group, Transport Federation of Cagayan de Oro said its members will serve usual routes.

"About 80% of jeepney operators and drivers here have confirmed that they will be joining us," claimed Armando Naul, secretary-general for Starex.

He said bus operators have yet to confirm their participation in the protest.

The current minimum fare here is P6.50 for the first four kilometers and P0.50 for every kilometer thereafter.

Starex representatives have claimed the present fares were based on an average fuel price of P36 per liter.

Meanwhile, the regional office of the Department of Education said it will await instructions from the central office in Pasig City if classes will be suspended today due to the transport strike.

Officials said, however, that unlike in Metro Manila and other major cities, Cagayan de Oro’s public and private schools are near residential areas, thus only schools in remote areas will be affected.

In Central Mindanao, bus companies, tricycle drivers and van operators were still undecided as of yesterday if they will join the nationwide strike. Most cities in the region are served by tricycles, not by jeepneys.

"If the barricade proves strong tomorrow, then most likely we will join the strike," said a dispatcher of a major transport company in General Santos City.

The managements of Yellow Bus, Inc. and Husky Transport Services, which serve the Central Mindanao-Davao route, have yet to issue a formal announcement on the matter.

"Any positive development after the strike will benefit all. Most likely, all we would do tomorrow is show support by giving any amount that we can afford for the strikers’ sustenance," said Alex Dollente, Husky Transport Services operations manager.

In Zamboanga City, the Federation of Land Transportation Association of Zamboanga will decide if it would hold a strike next week, saying this will give the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board time to act on their petition for fare hike.

Eduardo M. Mingala, president of the transport sector here, told BusinessWorld they are seeking an P8 minimum fare from the existing P6.50 per passenger due to increasing gasoline prices.

"It is just high time to increase the fare because the gasoline increased from P36 per liter in January to the current rate of P46 per liter," he said.

Meanwhile, the government should consider the proposal to nationalize the oil industry since deregulation has not seemed to work for the benefit of the consumers, the president of the Davao business chamber said.

Domingo T. Duerme told members of the Davao media: "They have continued to ask for price increase, but at the end of the year, they still report high profits."

He added that while the oil deregulation law has worked for the airline industry, the same does not hold for the other transportation sectors. Competition, particularly with the introduction of no-frills budget flights have pushed down airline industry fares.

Mr. Duerme said the government should look into the taxes imposed on petroleum products. — Mindanao Bureau

Smart acquires Mindanao company

By Lenie Lectura
Reporter

SMART Broadband Inc. (SBI), the wireless broadband unit of Smart Communications Inc., is acquiring some assets of Mindano-based Cruz Telephone Co. Inc. (Cruztelco).

Besides allowing the company to expand its services in Mindanao, the acquisition will enable the wireless broadband provider to offer wireless Internet to customers, Smart spokesman Ramon Isberto said.

Undertaken last month, the conditional sale agreement will enable Cruztelco to transfer its physical plant, equipment and facilities in the Philippines’ second-largest island. The transaction, worth P371.30 million, also includes the transfer of Cruztelco’s corresponding local exchange carrier (LEC) permits to SBI.

Once finalized, SBI, which is authorized to operate data-leased channel network service, international leased line service and other value-added services, will operate in Surigao City; Butuan City, Cabadbaran and Nasipit in Agusan del Norte; Tagum City in Davao del Norte; Bayugan, Prosperidad and San Francisco in Agusan del Sur; Cagayan de Oro, Medina and Balingasag in Misamis Oriental.

The agreement—a copy of which was obtained by BusinessMirror—was signed September 6, 2007 by Smart president Napoleon Nazareno, SBI president Roland Peña and Cruztelco president Julio Cruz and his spouse Priscila.

However, the agreement will be formalized only after it secures the green light from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), as indicated in a provision under the Public Service Act.

Early this month, SBI and Cruztelco asked the telecommunications regulator to approve the sale and transfer of the properties of Cruztelco in the Cluster 3 areas to SBI.

“Petitioners pray that the Commission issue an order granting approval for Cruztelco to sell and transfer to SBI, and for SBI to acquire and assume from Cruztelco, all the rights, privileges, including the authority of Cruztelco to operate LEC services in the Cluster 3, and accordingly, for the transfer from Cruztelco to SBI of the certificate of public conveniences and necessities and provisional authorities (PAs), which evidence Cruztelco’s authority to operate the said LEC services in the Cluster 3 areas,” the petition to the NTC said.

Under the September agreement, once the NTC approves the sale and transfer of the LEC service of Cruztelco in the Cluster 3 areas to SBI, the parties will execute the definitive agreements that will pave the way for the implementation of the conditional sale deal.

In an interview, Cruztelco vice president for operations and marketing Enrico de los Reyes said the proceeds will be partly used to finance the company’s investments in the next generation network (NGN).

“Our goal is to be NGN ready by 2010. We will comply with the government’s mandate,” de los Reyes said, adding that Cruztelco may pour in P70 million in initial investments to roll out the NGN.

Negotiations with SBI to sell Cruztelco’s assets in Cluster 3 started early this year, according to de los Reyes.

“It was a business decision on the part of Cruztelco why the company entered into an agreement with SBI. Most likely the proceeds will go to Cruztelco because the owners of Cruztelco have other businesses,” added the official.

Cruztelco is a member of the Philippine Association of Private Telephone Companies (Paptelco), a group which, along with other phone giants Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Globe Telecom, Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc., Bayan Telecommunications Inc., promised to help the government in building a broadband network.

SBI’s wireless broadband service, branded SmartBro, meanwhile is an integrated part of the PLDT Group’s strategy to be at the forefront of “broadbanding” the country.

SmartBro is a fixed wireless solution to provide broadband Internet access. It rides on the nationwide cellular network of Smart to wirelessly deliver broadband Internet service to a subscriber’s personal computer, eliminating the need for a phone line.

SmartBro has grown its wireless broadband subscriber base to about 210,000 at the end of June 2007, adding 88,000 new subscribers in the first six months of the year. Revenues from wireless broadband grew 211 percent, from P300 million in the first half of 2006 to about P930 million in the first half of 2007.

Smart now has over 2,610 wireless broadband-enabled base stations providing high-speed internet access to over 500 cities and municipalities all over the country.

EC extends P880-M aid for Mindanao programs (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=2007121376)
By Reinir Padua
Friday, December 14, 2007


The European Commission (EC) has approved 14 million euros (P880 million) in grants for poverty alleviation and reconstruction of conflict-torn areas in Mindanao.

The grants were granted under the EC’s 2007 development program, according to Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the EC delegation to the Philippines.

“The European Community is bent on helping the Philippines in its economic, social and political reform processes by providing support to deepen dialogue on governance with and among all sectors of society, to promote trade and investment flows, and to help restore peace and security in Mindanao,” MacDonald said.

According to the EC, the 2007 Action Program is the first contribution under its Indicative Program for assistance to the Philippines from 2007 to 2010, which amounts to 61 million euros (P3.8 billion).

MacDonald said these programs were developed after consultations with the government and civil society groups to support the Philippines’ Medium Term Development Plan 2004–2010.

He said the 2007 program covers three areas:

• The Strategic Projects Facility, which will contribute to improving governance as a condition to achieve Millennium Development Goals, and will cost 6.5 million euros (P410 million);

• The Trade-Related Technical Assistance, which will enhance the capacity of selected government agencies and non-state entities in the Philippines to achieve deeper integration into the international trading system, and will cost 6.5 million euros (P410 million); and

• The second batch of contribution amounting to one million euros (P60 million) for the Mindanao Trust Fund, which will support the reconstruction and development of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Other bilateral donors to the World Bank-administered fund include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Sweden.

The first phase focuses on capacity-building and implementation of reconstruction and development projects in conflict-affected areas while the peace process is in progress.

The second phase, on the other hand, is intended to support full-scale reconstruction programs once a peace agreement is forged.

Mindanao drivers take different tack (http://http://www.bworldonline.com/BW121407/content.php?id=074)

DAVAO CITY — Mindanao’s protesting drivers made a strategic protest action on Thursday.

They ferried passengers going to offices and schools in the morning, suspended their operation during the lean hours and resumed servicing their routes before commuters return home in the afternoon.

With that approach, organizers claimed they have achieved participation rate of up to 90%.

Even as activities in this city remained normal most parts of the day, the Transport of Southern Mindanao for Solidarity, Independence and Nationalism announced 80% of passenger vehicles here joined their protest action.

Edil Gonzaga, spokesman of the association, admitted some drivers’ groups did not join the strike.

Celso T. Gempesaw, the city’s chief traffic officer, said that at the start of the day, about 70% of the passenger vehicles plied their routes, not enough to make a major impact on mobility of residents.

Jenelito Atillo, Department of Education spokesman for the city, said principals were allowed to suspend their classes had the situation worsened.

Domingo T. Duerme, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also said the transport strike failed to paralyze the city’s regular activities.

In Cagayan de Oro City, militant groups claimed they have crippled up to 90% of public transport.

Other sources, however said participation rate could be much less since a significant number of jeepneys were still plying their usual routes. Taxi cab operators, who decided not to participate in the protest, had good business during the day.

The regional office of the Department of Education did not suspend classes in the city and most office workers reported for work.

In General Santos City, public transport was noticeably hampered as many drivers joined the strike. Organizers claimed a "successful" protest action with "90% of tricycles and jeepneys" out of the streets.

However, Mar Estrada, spokesman of Transport Integration for Restructuring Economic Services, conceded they failed to muster the support of private vehicle owners as many still go out to do their usual business.

The situation was normal, however, in nearby Koronadal City, Central Mindanao’s second biggest urban center, next to General Santos. As announced on Wednesday, leaders of transport groups in Zamboanga City did not join the strike. — Mindanao Bureau

Sunday, December 16, 2007
Law enforcers in Region 11 best in Mindanao
By Rhodamae M. Hernandez

THE Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC)-11, an association of all law enforcement agencies in the region, was recognized as the Best Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee in the Mindanao region.

The recognition was made during the 132nd National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (NALECC) Regular Meeting and 25th Anniversary last December 6 at the Legenda Hotel, Waterfront Road in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City.


Police Regional Office-Southern Mindanao spokesperson Querubin L. Manalang said that the RLECC 11 is an association of all the law enforcement agencies in the region. "The association aims to promote peace and order throughout the region," he told Sun.Star Davao.

RLECC 11 has conducted the most number of inter-agency coordinating activities that led to the successful creation of Impact Programs, Projects and Significant Accomplishments that greatly contributed to better law enforcement and favorable peace and order situation in Region 11 or Southern Mindanao.

It was also awarded as the Best in Mindanao for two consecutive years last 2005 and 2006.

Its Impact Programs and Projects include: the crafting of IMPLAN 40/2007, Davao Gulf Environmental Protection Alliance, intentionally created to protect the Davao Gulf from environmental degradation; the creation of the Joint Regional Intelligence and Bomb Trauma Management Task Force 11 (JRIITF 11) purposely to bolster and enhance the system of coordination and cooperation between and among the PNP and AFP units and all other government agencies in the region with intelligence and investigation mandate and to pool resources in order to counter terrorism; and the creation of the Transportation Security Precinct Coordinating Committee 11 (TSPCC 11) under the Office of the Transport Security (OTS), DOTC designed to secure all vital installations on land, air and maritime transportations.

PRO-Southern Mindanao Regional Director Andy Caro II, said the accomplishments of RLECC 11 was not possible without the commitment and support of all the concerned agencies that worked hand in hand in the fulfillment of our mission to serve and protect the community. (With Press release)


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2007/12/16/news/law.enforcers.in.region.11.best.in.mindanao.html

“I have to close a deal by 2008. We are on an expansion binge in Visayas and Mindanao. In Mindanao, we have already started,” he told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview yesterday.


should we then expect an SM in other mindanao cities like Zamboanga and Gensan? :D sana sa Gensan para malapit sa amin :D

;17172833']should we then expect an SM in other mindanao cities like Zamboanga and Gensan? :D sana sa Gensan para malapit sa amin :D

who is Jimbu?:cheers:

Official says Anflocor to intensify diversification
By Carmelito Q. Francisco

PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte—The Anflo Group of Companies is set to intensify its diversification of businesses in the next five years as it eyes another partnership with the Ayala Land Holdings Incorporation for property development in Cagayan de Oro City.

Former Davao del Norte congressman Antonio Floirendo Jr., vice chair of the company, said there were already initial discussions between his company and that of the Ayala company for the project, but this will not probably materialize until two years from now.

“We will continue to diversify. We don’t want to be stuck in agriculture development,” Floirendo told the Times during his birthday celebration here at the company’s main subsidiary, the Tagum Agricultural Development Corp., one of the top producers of exportable bananas in this part of the country.

Floirendo said the company was also contemplating on developing another property in Tagurano Toril, although there was no discussion yet on what aspect of development will the area be converted into.

Tagurano is near the foot of the country’s tallest peak, the Mount Apo , and is ideal for eco-tourism.

“We have been successful in land banking, so we will now make use of these properties (for investment purposes). We will go into more land development projects,” he said.

Last month, the company, through its subsidiary, the Anflo Management and Investment Corp., signed a partnership agreement with the Ayala Land Holdings Inc. for the development of a nine-hectare property into a mini-city.

The P2.3 billion commercial complex, said Ricardo Floirendo, younger brother of Mr. Floirendo and vice chair of the company for South Operations, will have a commercial center, and information technology park and even town houses.

Floirendo said the Ayala by the Ayala company which revealed that young professionals who are members of the middle class want a mall with a garden concept.

Aside from this project, the company, through another subsidiary, the Damosa Land Inc. is also running a two-hectare information technology park in Lanang which a call center company, the Link2Support, has been expanding due to the space requirement of the locator.

Meanwhile, the elder Floirendo said that the company will strengthen the transparency of its operations as he and his namesake father, Don Antonio O. Floirendo Sr., the founder and chair of the company, join hands in reshaping the company.

“We will be transparent,” the younger Floirendo said during his 56th birthday, emphasizing that the company will find new direction as he, his father and siblings handle its day-to-day operations.

The family patriarch resumes chairmanship of the company after Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, brother of his wife Nenita, retired as its chair on September 1.

There were reports that there was animosity between del Rosario and the younger Floirendo as the gubernatorial race in May even resulted in controversy. It all started when Floirendo announced his candidacy for governor of the province even after his cousin, Anthony del Rosario, son of the governor and then the vice governor, already filed his candidacy.

Floirendo waa a three-term representative of the Second District of the province to the House of Representatives.

This prompted the younger del Rosario to withdraw his candidacy, but his father then announced he was running. When the elder del Rosario announced that he was running for the post, Floirendo withdrew his candidacy as the family claimed it was preserving its unity.

Del Rosario then ran and handily beat the incumbent, Gelacio Gementiza, his former vice governor when he held his second gubernatorial rein until 2004. It was in 2004 when the elder del Rosario decided to support Gementiza’s quest for the post as he concentrated on being the campaign manager of then candidate Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for president.

Despite the rumors that the younger Floirendo and his uncle were not in good terms, other family members, including del Rosario’s son told the Times then that all was well in the family.



:banana: :banana: :banana:

who is Jimbu?:cheers:

A Cebuano forumer.

;17172833']should we then expect an SM in other mindanao cities like Zamboanga and Gensan? :D sana sa Gensan para malapit sa amin :D

Or is he talking about the planned SM Davao IT and Convention Center to be built at the back of SM City Davao? Or the 2nd SM which would serve as a hypermart to be built in the northern part of Davao City? (as per xzibit whose wife is one of the managers of SM Davao)


New projects to rise on SM Davao
PIA

New features will soon rise at SM City Davao when it completes its plan for a project they will be setting up at a adjacent three-hectare lot in Ecoland Matina.

SM City Davao mall manager Debby Go at the Kapehan sa Dabaw at Greenwich in SM said in the drawing board is the site for an IT park which she said the management is seriously considering.

"But these are all in the drawing board none at this time has been approved yet," she explained.

Although she said that they are now processing documents for the Philippine Export Zone Authority application.

Go gave out a rough description of the plans that will happen, the building which would be described as multi-purpose will also house designated areas for convention and other big events.

"These will all be integrated in the building," she said.

She said the park will be separate from the existing mall but it will have high-end retail stores within the building.

Misamis student wins UN environmental essay tilt (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=102832)

A student of Misamis Occidental National High School won the 5th World Environment Day Essay Writing Contest sponsored by Hedcor, Inc. together with the Aboitiz Group Foundation, Inc. (AGFI), 2GO, and the United Nations Information Center (UNIC).

Modelynn Cher Quidet's essay “A Swing to Renewables" bested 373 entries from 115 schools nationwide. The piece was completed in a three-hour on-the-spot essay finals held at the Aboitiz Corporate Center on December 12.

Quidet was awarded together with four other finalists last December 13 at the Dome Café in Makati. The high school senior was awarded P15,000, a personal computer, and a computer set for her school.

The other finalists were: Katrina Mae Cerrado (1st Runner Up), a senior of Ateneo de Iloilo; Paolo Antonio Baladad (2nd Runner Up), a junior of Pasig City Science High School; Don Pietro Saldajeno, a sophomore of Philippine Science High School; and Lyle Maxine Chua, a junior of Pasay City Science High School.

The prestigious environmental writing competition has attracted about 2,000 participants from hundreds of secondary schools nationwide since it started in 2002. This year’s competition was launched last July 12.

The contest aims to promote among the youth a deeper understanding and appreciation of the benefits of clean and renewable energy. It also aims to increase public awareness on environmental issues such as global warming, climate change and sustainable development.

A swing to renewables (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=102825)
By MODELYN QUIDET
Winner, 5th World Environment Day Essay Writing Contest

It is amazing how Mother Nature loves us Filipinos so much to provide us with everything we will ever need: water when we are thirsty, heat when we are cold, food when we are hungry and everything else in between. There can never be a more perfect place to live in than the land of abundance, wealth and splendor—the Philippines. Its people have been blessed to be given the chance to experience its gifts. Yet with the natural instinct of man to stand alone, a Filipino focused on another path different from that already planned by Nature. This can only lead him, whether he is aware or not, to his own destruction when his plans flop.

It seems impossible for a country so blessed with natural sources to experience even the slightest of problems. It seems impossible for its people to experience poverty, loss or even discontentment. With a land so gifted, residents outside the country could only presume our problems to be not concerning our needs, but we Filipinos know in full fact it is just that. Since when did living become a euphemism for surviving? Since when did money become the measure for one’s wealth? Since when did the terms struggle and hardship become part of every day conversations? These questions only strengthened the fact that we no longer know the place that we live in anymore. Thousands of Filipinos ask these questions but millions experience the very things.

So, what led us to these difficulties that even the lightly blessed countries did not experience? For one, in our efforts to make life easier for us, we’ve convene on something we thought could help—fossil fuels for energy. Looking only at the better side of things, we forgot to take a peek at the dangers it brought to the table.

One fact is that energy has become a vital input in a country’s growth. At present, the Philippines’ energy needs have been efficiently fulfilled by fossil fuels, the continuous consumption of which yields negative economic and environmental threats. For one, in a country’s dependency on fossil fuels, it is exposed to oil price and fluctuations which can seriously undermine the energy security of the nation. Because of this, food prices and transport services are directly affected by oil price in the market, poverty ratings go up and the race to survival begins. Another is that the combustion of these kinds of fuels creates large amounts of greenhouse gas release. An increase in concentration of these gases, through emissions, causes an imbalance in the Earth-Atmosphere system thus changing the regional or global climates of the earth over time. Plus, these fossil fuels take billions of years to be created so we say they are irreplaceable—once we use them up, they’re gone forever!

And yet nature left us hope! Looking around us, we see our answer—Renewable Energy. It uses natural sources that can be replaced or "renewed" by nature without harming the environment. It uses natural sources, which the country is abundant in. "Renewables" is what we call the energy we get from the sunlight, the wind, the tides, and the earth’s heat. Renewables are the only source that provides cost-effective energy supply with big carbon-savings. Renewable energy flows are more than enough to supply for our energy needs. This is because majority of the renewable energy technologies today are indirectly and directly powered by the sun and there is no shortage of solar derived energy on earth. Plus, with the abundance of the blessings provided by Nature on the Philippines, shortage on these sources may be the last thing we will ever experience.

When given the chance, renewables can deliver as the main source for energy supply. It can provide everything fossil fuels currently offer in terms of energy services, minus the pollution. Another benefit of discovering a new source of energy is that it can provide a new industry, in turn, provide new jobs. The renewable energy industry is labor intensive so manpower is a must in harnessing such energy. This provides an opportunity for Filipinos to acquire jobs to feed their families and elevate their lives. Renewable energy also boosts a country’s economy. We could save the funds we are supposed to spend on fossil fuels and use it to develop our own renewable energy technologies. Since there is no more need for energy imports, the money stays within the country. An industry like this in the Philippines will for sure be the foundation to a more progressive economy. People can "live" without oil price affecting their purchase of food and transportation services Through this, we uphold the usage of renewables and help the environment while having the energy security in our land firmly within our grasp.

With political commitment renewables can deliver to its full potential. The progress on the usage of renewables in solely supplying our energy needs is still in the budding process. What we need now to do now is expand first on renewable energy sources and wait for the proper time. Filipino consumers have their part to act too. They need awareness on such topics and participate in mapping out their energy future. They should have a say on the kind of energy they use everyday. They should be alert on the negative impacts of coal on humans and on the environment. They should take part in behalf of the generations to come.

So, can renewable energy really save our country? The answer fortunately, is yes. There are many sources of Renewable energy here in the Philippines that can provide us with strong and steady source of electricity for our baseload needs. To take advantage of these, though, we have to speed up renewable energy installation, develop a broad range of renewable energy technologies and develop strong energy-saving programs. Taking these steps, seriously, we can start shutting off the most polluting power stations in the Philippines and shift to a more beneficial source of energy supply.

Renewables play a major role as an alternative to fossil fuels for energy supply here, in the Philippines. Renewables is the "solution" to the economic difficulties that we experience right now brought about by fossil fuels. Through this, we help the environment and our country without sacrificing our comfort zone—our lifestyle in the modern times of living. What we can do now is work with what we have and use it to its full potential. We can use the beauty of the Philippines to our own advantage with renewable energy. It is cleaner. It is better. It is better. It is about time we make the ones who really cared proud of us once more.

Let us do it for the Filipino and for nature!

Or is he talking about the planned SM Davao IT and Convention Center to be built at the back of SM City Davao? Or the 2nd SM which would serve as a hypermart to be built in the northern part of Davao City? (as per xzibit whose wife is one of the managers of SM Davao)

sana..

tapos sana isang SM sa Gensan or Tagum :)

Mindanao coop ATM deals reach 13,230/mo (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Banking&p=49&type=2&sec=35)
By Ted P. Torres
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Sooner than later long lines of people infront of an automated teller machine (ATM) located to a bank, will be a thing of the past. Non-bank financial institutions are now taking advantage of the practical use of ATMs.

One of the largest confederation of cooperatives in Mindanao can attest to that, as their member cooperatives and federations have started their own beeline to their own ATMs. And they are earning from it at the same time.

The MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center based in Mindanao already operates four ATM units, not to mention operating computerized financial centers operating like banks.

MASS-SPECC is a Mindanao-based confederation of cooperatives, covering 120 primary cooperatives and provincial federations in 21 out of 25 provinces in southern Philippines.

In fact, three of the four units are now online with MegaLink. The fourth unit will be online next year.

“Next year, another 14 units will be established with different cooperative members,” Sylvia Okinlay-Paraguya, chief executive officer of MASS-SPECC Cooperative said.

The progressive cooperative movement not only operates four ATM units, it has already issued nearly 6,000 ATM cards called Pinoy Coop ATM. It is obviously co-branded with MegaLink.

From initial data released, it appears that Pinoy Coop ATMs average 13,230 transactions monthly for such basic services like loans, payroll and other personal transactions.

Cardholders will soon benefit from the interconnection of MegaLink, BancNet and ExpressNet.

Incidentally, MASS-SPECC is one of two non-bank members of MegaLink.

Meanwhile, MASS-SPECC operates its own “banks” or financial centers with its member coops and federations which are also information technology (IT) savvy.

Their “banks” uses a customized program designed for the cooperative operations.

“We bought the core system of Microbanker, the program extensively used and developed by rural bankers. Then we customized for it to become the first coop banking software installed by a coop federation which was in 1996,” Paraguya said.

Today, there are presently 167 sites, or banks, for their member cooperatives. The bulk or 163 in located in Mindanao, while four are domiciled in Luzon.

“Our target by 2011 is to bring this to 400 sites,” the chief executive added.

Services offered by cooperatives include savings and credit, marketing, housing, consumer store, postharvest facilities, funeral services, and even hostel operations.

Of course, member coopertives or its individual members that need larger amounts can always tap the credit resources of rural, development or thrift, and commercial banks.

MASS-SPECC has nearly 300,000 individual members from its member cooperatives and federations.

It has total assets worth P4.03 billion and share capital of P1.166 billion.

Loans receivable already amounts to P2.41 billion and loans released so far reached P3.37 billion. Delinquency rate dropped from a high of 74 percent in 2000 to just 11 percent.

This year alone, loans released is estimated to reach P350 million, from P251 million in 2006, and P166 million in 2005. Target by 2011 is P800 million.

Deposits is estimated to break the P100 million by end 2007, and the target for savings awareness should result in deposits amounting to P440 million by 2010.

Share capital is seen to reach P42 million end 2007.

Cooperatives are regulated by the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA). While its ATM operations is not directly under the regulatory functions of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), it is MegaLink that will answer for the MASS-SPECC ATM operations.

Mindanao coop ATM deals reach 13,230/mo (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Banking&p=49&type=2&sec=35)
By Ted P. Torres
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Sooner than later long lines of people infront of an automated teller machine (ATM) located to a bank, will be a thing of the past. Non-bank financial institutions are now taking advantage of the practical use of ATMs.

One of the largest confederation of cooperatives in Mindanao can attest to that, as their member cooperatives and federations have started their own beeline to their own ATMs. And they are earning from it at the same time.

The MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center based in Mindanao already operates four ATM units, not to mention operating computerized financial centers operating like banks.

MASS-SPECC is a Mindanao-based confederation of cooperatives, covering 120 primary cooperatives and provincial federations in 21 out of 25 provinces in southern Philippines.

In fact, three of the four units are now online with MegaLink. The fourth unit will be online next year.

“Next year, another 14 units will be established with different cooperative members,” Sylvia Okinlay-Paraguya, chief executive officer of MASS-SPECC Cooperative said.

The progressive cooperative movement not only operates four ATM units, it has already issued nearly 6,000 ATM cards called Pinoy Coop ATM. It is obviously co-branded with MegaLink.

From initial data released, it appears that Pinoy Coop ATMs average 13,230 transactions monthly for such basic services like loans, payroll and other personal transactions.

Cardholders will soon benefit from the interconnection of MegaLink, BancNet and ExpressNet.

Incidentally, MASS-SPECC is one of two non-bank members of MegaLink.

Meanwhile, MASS-SPECC operates its own “banks” or financial centers with its member coops and federations which are also information technology (IT) savvy.

Their “banks” uses a customized program designed for the cooperative operations.

“We bought the core system of Microbanker, the program extensively used and developed by rural bankers. Then we customized for it to become the first coop banking software installed by a coop federation which was in 1996,” Paraguya said.

Today, there are presently 167 sites, or banks, for their member cooperatives. The bulk or 163 in located in Mindanao, while four are domiciled in Luzon.

“Our target by 2011 is to bring this to 400 sites,” the chief executive added.

Services offered by cooperatives include savings and credit, marketing, housing, consumer store, postharvest facilities, funeral services, and even hostel operations.

Of course, member coopertives or its individual members that need larger amounts can always tap the credit resources of rural, development or thrift, and commercial banks.

MASS-SPECC has nearly 300,000 individual members from its member cooperatives and federations.

It has total assets worth P4.03 billion and share capital of P1.166 billion.

Loans receivable already amounts to P2.41 billion and loans released so far reached P3.37 billion. Delinquency rate dropped from a high of 74 percent in 2000 to just 11 percent.

This year alone, loans released is estimated to reach P350 million, from P251 million in 2006, and P166 million in 2005. Target by 2011 is P800 million.

Deposits is estimated to break the P100 million by end 2007, and the target for savings awareness should result in deposits amounting to P440 million by 2010.

Share capital is seen to reach P42 million end 2007.

Cooperatives are regulated by the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA). While its ATM operations is not directly under the regulatory functions of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), it is MegaLink that will answer for the MASS-SPECC ATM operations.


...another milestone in cooperative sector:cheers::cheers:

PIA Press Release
2007/12/21
Davao region gets infra capital backing
by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (21 December) -- The government and private sector of the Davao Region will begin working on a program to be backed by an international financing body which will source the appropriate amount to fund important infrastructure projects in the region to sustain its economic development.

As this developed, a memorandum of agreement was forged between the Davao Integrated Development Program, the Mindanao Business Council and the MCC Capital Products, Ltd.

The signing of the agreement was held last Wednesday, December 19 during the DIDP board meeting chaired by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario who represented the DIDP. The other signatories were MinBC chair Vicente T. Lao and the MCC representatives M. Faisal Kasim, chief executive officer and John Tapp, director and company secretary.

Del Rosario in a press briefing after the MOA signing stressed the need to integrate and harmonize various infrastructure projects within the DIDP area.

As indicted in the agreement Del Rosario said the priority infrastructure projects include the Light Rail Transit and the Samal Bridge.

However Del Rosario said under the DIDP Master Plan are several projects but they cited the local railway transit and the Samal bridge as their priority.

He said the parties involved agreed to collectively undertake infrastructure and/or entrepreneurial projects in an efficient and expeditious manner that would benefit Mindanao and help in the growth of the BIMP EAGA region.

As stipulated in the agreement, the DIDP and the MinBC shall undertake initiatives necessary to provide the MCC such guarantees, support and operating environment for the projects to be undertaken in a manner mutually acceptable to the parties and not prohibited by law.

The LRT system that will serve the coastal build-up area of Davao City as well as neighboring areas in Davao del Sur particularly the municipality of Sta. Cruz and Davao del Norte in Panabo City will costs around US$4.49 billion or P240 billion based on 1997 project cost estimate.

The Samal bridge construction with project cost of US$126.9 million or P6.48 billion is about 1,200 meters long of lanes bridge at about 22 meters vertical clearance with suspension of cable-stayed.

A pre-feasibility analysis of the project is available for full blown feasibility study.

Del Rosario however vowed to support the project and to work with the local government units.

Kasim on the other hand said their intention of generating the funds is through the flotation of bonds saying that there are international buyers looking for investment packages.

He said international buyers are attracted to buy bonds that will fund projects especially in countries like the Philippines.

The Philippines he said is attractive to buyers globally and this is an opportune time that sectors like the local government units should consider seriously.

There will be series of briefings and discussions among the LGUs with regards the scheme that will be undertaken and the Department of Trade and Industry is taking the lead of encourage the municipalities to come up with their respective proposals.

By the first quarter of 2008, the parties will consult and coordinate with each other and come up with action plan for the projects to be undertaken. (PIA) [top]

:applause: :applause: :applause:


Friday, December 21, 2007

World's No. 1 contractor to finance railway, bridge projects
Sunstar Davao

THE MCC Capital Projects Limited, a business concern engaged in financing and construction and identified to be the number one railway contractor in the world based in the United Kingdom, Wednesday expressed interest to help in the development of Mindanao and affirmed its preparedness to obtain adequate and timely financing for developmental projects in the island.

Faisal Kasim, chief executive officer of the MCC Capital, and John Tapp, managing director and secretary of the same company, have inked partnership with a local government unit (LGU)-led initiative, the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP), and with the Mindanao Business Council (MinBc) on Thursday at the regional office of the Department of

Part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing was the implementation of the Mindanao Railway System and the Samal Bridge Project, which are identified in the DIDP Master Plan since 1994.

The railway system will be initially established traversing the major highway of Tagum City - Carmen - Panabo City - Davao City - Sta.Cruz, and Digos City. Based on the DIDP Master Plan estimation as of 1997, the railway costs P240 billion.

The Samal Bridge Project, on the other hand, will serve as link to the other growth centers in Compostela Valley province and Davao Oriental through the proposed roll-on/roll-off port facilities. Again, as of 1997, DIDP estimated a total of P6.48 billion for the project.

"We are very optimistic in investing in this part of Mindanao, people here speak English and are highly literate," Kasim said in a press conference.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement, the DIDP, represented by Board Chair Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, the MinBC, represented by MinBC and Regional Development Council (RDC) Chair Vicente Lao, Kasim and Tapp, of the MCC Capital, have confirmed understanding that they shall collectively endeavor to arrive at a mutually accepted agreement to undertake infrastructure projects that would benefit Mindanao and help in the growth of the Bimp-Eaga region.

Governor del Rosario said the MCC Capital will conduct studies, provide expert assistance, and submit proposals for the development and realization of the Mindanao Rail and Samal Bridge Projects.

The DIDP, MinBC, and the MCC Capital will then consult and coordinate with each other during the first quarter of 2008 and action plan for the undertaking of priority infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, Vicente Lao, said that MinBC, as a duly constituted Philippine entity, will never stop from looking innovative ideas on how to come up with the realization of projects planned for Mindanao.

"We were very glad that we were able to adopt a policy now and that is to look for ways and means on how to make developments in Mindanao without depending from Manila, we hope that the initiation of this activity will open up doors for other funding institutions to invest in Mindanao," Lao said.

Lao said that with the entry of the MCC Capital as partner of the DIDP and MinBC, a lot of possibilities are open now for the Davao Region and Mindanao. (JGRS)

"We were very glad that we were able to adopt a policy now and that is to look for ways and means on how to make developments in Mindanao without depending from Manila, we hope that the initiation of this activity will open up doors for other funding institutions to invest in Mindanao," Lao said.

Lao said that with the entry of the MCC Capital as partner of the DIDP and MinBC, a lot of possibilities are open now for the Davao Region and Mindanao. (JGRS)


nice move, very nice.

RP now 4th largest shipbuilder (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071221116)
Saturday, December 22, 2007

The Philippines is now the fourth largest shipbuilding country in the world, President Arroyo said Thursday during the courtesy call of Basil Ph Papachristidis, chairman of the Greek shipping company Hellespont.

Mrs. Arroyo said three shipbuilding companies have since set up shop in the Philippines, the first with a $700-million investment, followed by Hanjin with $6 billion, and the latest locator with $1.9 billion in investments, and which just signed a lease agreement for a piece of land in Mindanao, a Palace statement said.

Papachristidis paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Arroyo to propose the creation of a Philippine shipping company in cooperation with the Aboitizes.

The shipping executive was accompanied to the Palace by Endika Aboitiz, who said Hellespont wants to set up shop in the Philippines because the company prefers Filipino seamen.

The Philippines has become the “largest seafaring nation in the world,” with some 250,000 Filipino seamen making up 22 percent of the total ship crew worldwide, Aboitiz added.

Aboitiz said the shipping industry would like to seek the help of Mrs. Arroyo in getting Filipino youth to become seamen.

The Aboitiz Group of Companies celebrated its hundredth year in business yesterday.

Starting in 1907 with one ship dubbed “Picket” that transported hemp for trading across the Philippines, the Aboitiz family business has since “developed into a total transport solutions enterprise” moving passengers and cargo.

In 1975, Aboitiz pioneered containerization in the Philippines, offering door-to-door services.

By 1981, Aboitiz Air became the first all-cargo airline in the country, and later added its Superferry line in 1990. – Paolo Romero

RP now 4th largest shipbuilder (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071221116)
Saturday, December 22, 2007

The Philippines is now the fourth largest shipbuilding country in the world, President Arroyo said Thursday during the courtesy call of Basil Ph Papachristidis, chairman of the Greek shipping company Hellespont.

Mrs. Arroyo said three shipbuilding companies have since set up shop in the Philippines, the first with a $700-million investment, followed by Hanjin with $6 billion, and the latest locator with $1.9 billion in investments, and which just signed a lease agreement for a piece of land in Mindanao, a Palace statement said.

Papachristidis paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Arroyo to propose the creation of a Philippine shipping company in cooperation with the Aboitizes.

The shipping executive was accompanied to the Palace by Endika Aboitiz, who said Hellespont wants to set up shop in the Philippines because the company prefers Filipino seamen.

The Philippines has become the “largest seafaring nation in the world,” with some 250,000 Filipino seamen making up 22 percent of the total ship crew worldwide, Aboitiz added.

Aboitiz said the shipping industry would like to seek the help of Mrs. Arroyo in getting Filipino youth to become seamen.

The Aboitiz Group of Companies celebrated its hundredth year in business yesterday.

Starting in 1907 with one ship dubbed “Picket” that transported hemp for trading across the Philippines, the Aboitiz family business has since “developed into a total transport solutions enterprise” moving passengers and cargo.

In 1975, Aboitiz pioneered containerization in the Philippines, offering door-to-door services.

By 1981, Aboitiz Air became the first all-cargo airline in the country, and later added its Superferry line in 1990. – Paolo Romero


In Plane builder kaya, kelan kaya tayo magkarecord?:cheers::cheers:

^^ Wala tayo nyan, hanggang papel lang tayo :lol:

[QUOTE=GearX;17263577]RP now 4th largest shipbuilder (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071221116)
Saturday, December 22, 2007

The Philippines is now the fourth largest shipbuilding country in the world, President Arroyo said Thursday during the courtesy call of Basil Ph Papachristidis, chairman of the Greek shipping company Hellespont.

Mrs. Arroyo said three shipbuilding companies have since set up shop in the Philippines, the first with a $700-million investment, followed by Hanjin with $6 billion, and the latest locator with $1.9 billion in investments, and which just signed a lease agreement for a piece of land in Mindanao, a Palace statement said.



And the good news is that this 4th largest shipbuilding industry is located at PHIVEDIC, part of future Metro CdeO. Anyway, there is now hiring of skilled engineers and construction workers for this big project. In fact the ads had even reached Bohol and other parts of Luzon last Thursday for the coming construction early next year. ^^

Hope the jobless Mindanaons should be the 1st priority for this gigantic project.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MINDANAO!!!

:dance:

:drunk: :drunk: :drunk:

Kaninyong tanan, Usa ka malinawon ug malipayong Pasko

Can someone please show a lists of Mindanao Cities, inorder according to:

1.) Economic Status
2.) Urbanization
3.) Land area
4.) Airports (starting from Busiest)
5.) Seaports (starting from Busiest)

And let us have a healthy discussion about it.
List based on perception approved by others and has supporting evidences can be accepted.

:) :) :)

HERITAGE CONSERVATION SITES IN MINDANAO AS DECLARED BY HERITAGE CONSERVATION SOCIETY


CAMIGUIN

Guiob Church Ruins (Catarman)
Baylao Elementary School (Mambajao)
Kuguita Elementary School (Mambajao)
Rizal Monument (Catarman)
Catarman Municipal Building
Sagay Church
Sagay Elementary School
Guinsiliban Central School
Pascual Lim House (Mahinog)
Borromeo House (Mambajao)


DAVAO ORIENTAL

Caraga Church

MISAMIS ORIENTAL

Jasaan Church

ZAMBOANGA CITY

Plaza Manila Building
Bank of the Philippine Islands
Taluksangay Mosque
Mercedes Central School
Fort Pilar
Plaza Pershing
Rizal Monument
Zamboanga City Hall

Fr. Bernad honored by three Jesuit Universities of Mindanao (http://themindanaocurrent.blogspot.com/)
By: Fr. Leo C. Pabayo, SJ

Jesuit scholar Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, professor emeritus of Xavier University and 90 years of age was conferred an honorary doctorate degree by 3 Mindanao universities in a joint academic convocation at Xavier University. The three universities were Ateneo de Davao University, Xavier University and Ateneo de Zamboanga. The joint convocation was held at Xavier University. Fr. Bernad was honored for his lifetime of service to church and country as a teacher, writer, literary critic, historian, journalist and editor.

The citation for the honorary doctorate described Fr. Bernad as “an apostle of truth, precise, well-researched, well written and communicated. It is a truth with quality uncompromised and communicated with great respect and care for the written word.”

Fr. Bernad was editor of the journal, Philippine Studies of Ateneo de Manila University. He founded the journal Kinaadman in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City where he worked at for the past thirty years.

The conferral of the honorary degree was done by the three presidents of the three universities, namely: Fr. Antonio Samson, SJ, of Ateneo de Davao University, Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, of Xavier University and Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

With Fr. Bernad on the stage, aside from the three presidents, were Fr. Daniel Huang, SJ, Fr. Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in the Philippines, the chairmen of the Board of Trustees of the three universities (Mr. Paul Dominguez of AdDU, Engr. Elpie Paras of XU and Atty. Arsenio Gonzalez of AdZU) and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro who gave the invocation for the joint convocation.

The conferral of honor was attended by Dr. Eloisa Paderangga CHED Director for Region 10 and the heads and representatives from various universities and schools of Cagayan de Oro City, the various administrative personnel of the three universities, the faculty, staff and some students of Xavier University. The event was especially graced by the notable presence of the sisters and other relatives of Fr. Bernad as well as his brother Jesuits and friends from various parts of the country.

After the conferral of the degree, Fr. Bernad gave an inspiring lecture, entitled, “Four Centuries Of Jesuit Involvement in the Christianization and Development of Mindanao, 1596 -2007.”

Fr. Bernad was born in Ozamis where he had his elementary education. He went to the University of San Carlos, Cebu City for his high school after which he joined the Society of Jesus. He did his theological studies at Woodstock College, Maryland U.S.A. He received his doctorate in philosophy and history of education at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A. He also did special studies in Greek at Yale, Latin at Fordham University and Shakespearean Drama in England.

Fr. Bernad taught for many years at the Ateneo de Manila University before coming to Xavier University. He also taught at Silliman University, Taiwan National University and Tamkang College of Arts and Sciences in Taipei. Several years ago he was also conferred by Ateneo de Manila a doctorate degree, honoris causa, with a special citation from the University of the Philippines.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/another%202/FrBernad.jpg
Fr. Bernad, at rostrum, gives an inspiring lecture on the “Four Centuries Of Jesuit Involvement in the Christianization and Development of Mindanao, 1596 -2007” as Fr. Antonio Samson,SJ, President of Ateneo de Davao University, Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, President of Ateneo de Zamboanga University and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD listen intently. Behind them are Engr. Elpidio Paras, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Xavier University. Behind the rostrum is Fr, Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, President of Xavier University.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/another%202/vicdance.gif

RP now 4th largest shipbuilder (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071221116)
Saturday, December 22, 2007

The Philippines is now the fourth largest shipbuilding country in the world, President Arroyo said Thursday during the courtesy call of Basil Ph Papachristidis, chairman of the Greek shipping company Hellespont.

Mrs. Arroyo said three shipbuilding companies have since set up shop in the Philippines, the first with a $700-million investment, followed by Hanjin with $6 billion, and the latest locator with $1.9 billion in investments, and which just signed a lease agreement for a piece of land in Mindanao, a Palace statement said.

Papachristidis paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Arroyo to propose the creation of a Philippine shipping company in cooperation with the Aboitizes.

The shipping executive was accompanied to the Palace by Endika Aboitiz, who said Hellespont wants to set up shop in the Philippines because the company prefers Filipino seamen.

The Philippines has become the “largest seafaring nation in the world,” with some 250,000 Filipino seamen making up 22 percent of the total ship crew worldwide, Aboitiz added.

Aboitiz said the shipping industry would like to seek the help of Mrs. Arroyo in getting Filipino youth to become seamen.

The Aboitiz Group of Companies celebrated its hundredth year in business yesterday.

Starting in 1907 with one ship dubbed “Picket” that transported hemp for trading across the Philippines, the Aboitiz family business has since “developed into a total transport solutions enterprise” moving passengers and cargo.

In 1975, Aboitiz pioneered containerization in the Philippines, offering door-to-door services.

By 1981, Aboitiz Air became the first all-cargo airline in the country, and later added its Superferry line in 1990. – Paolo Romero


SANA MAGROON NA NG PAGAWAAN NG EROPLANO DITO... HAIZZZ!

NGA PLA TOTOO BA YAN OR SABI SABI LANG, KASI SA PAGKAKAALAM KO, MAS MARAMI ATA UNG MGA IBANG BANSA NG SHIP BUILDING KAYSA SA PILIPINAS. kumbaga di natin masusukat sa mga investment lang ang mga ito... Sa dami ba namn ng assenso na bansa sa labas ng pinas, PAANO NAGING 4TH LARGEST SHIPBUILDER AND PINAS??? :ohno:

Can someone please show a lists of Mindanao Cities, inorder according to:

1.) Economic Status
2.) Urbanization
3.) Land area
4.) Airports (starting from Busiest)
5.) Seaports (starting from Busiest)

And let us have a healthy discussion about it.
List based on perception approved by others and has supporting evidences can be accepted.

:) :) :)
uhm..

better not to start this one...

US property developers to visit (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW122907/content.php?id=053)

A large group of US-based property developers is arriving in Manila early next year to look at possible sites for leisure and entertainment projects in the provinces.

The group, composed of 39 real estate developers, will scout for prospective investments in Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, and Mindanao, said Leon Katz, chief executive officer of Global Investments and Capital Corp.

Mr. Katz’s company was the business matching arm of the recently concluded Asian International Real Estate Expo and Conference (AIREEC) in Manila.

He said these developers own global brands aimed at high net worth clients in Asia, Europe, United States and the Middle East.

The developers are particularly interested in large tracts of land available for mixed-used development that are free from legal issues.

"They indicated growing demand by high-end clients for properties transformed into luxury hotels, vacation resorts, condotels, retail centers and major gaming and entertainment facilities," Mr. Katz said.

The developers are considering joint ventures or other forms of business collaborations with property owners.

Industry experts earlier predicted sustained growth of the Philippine property markets, driven mainly by robust economic growth.

Special Envoy for Investment and Tourism Promotions Susan G. Susan, who’s also AIREEC president, earlier said investors continue to look at the Philippines as a viable investment site because of improved economic conditions.

An international industry expert earlier said emerging real estate industry players in Asia and the Pacific, the Philippines included, can tap new, unexplored markets worldwide by going online.

Aida Turbow, director of New Homes Resort International Division for Prudential Florida WCI, said the Philippines can take advantage of internet marketing to reach potential real estate markets.

"Filipino real estate professionals are well-connected, but we need more of it. There’s a need to enlarge...expand your connections to tap into new networks," she said.

Ms. Turbow said she expects strong growth for the Philippine property sector, adding a number of investors are setting their sights here due to a more favorable business climate. She said the Philippines could target baby boomers worldwide, which total about 160 million. — B. S. Sto. Domingo

Can someone please show a lists of Mindanao Cities, inorder according to:

1.) Economic Status
2.) Urbanization
3.) Land area
4.) Airports (starting from Busiest)
5.) Seaports (starting from Busiest)

And let us have a healthy discussion about it.
List based on perception approved by others and has supporting evidences can be accepted.

:) :) :)
Economic Status
1. davao
2.
3.
4.
5.

Urbanization
1. davao(widest built up and total urban sprawl)
2.
3.
4.
5.

Land area
1. davao, ?zamboanga, ?butuan
4.
5.

Airports (starting from Busiest)
1. davao
2.
3.
4.
5.


Seaports (starting from Busiest)
1. davao
2.
3.
4.
5.

Taken from Lorega, Kitaotao, Bukidnon 12/28/07
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0915.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0914.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0903.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0879.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0878.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0877.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0882.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0881.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0874.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0871.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa122/wabbygabby/IMG_0870.jpg

Saturday, December 29, 2007
US set to open market for Mindanao bananas

PHILIPPINE bananas, especially those coming from Mindanao, will soon gain entry into the American market as the United States Department of Agriculture (US-DA) assured the Philippine government of the speedy processing of the pest risk analysis for bananas.

Post your comments here on the Makati siege

The DA, in a statement sent to Sun.Star, said this move is expected to allow the entry of the high-value commodity into the American market and boost the country's export earnings by $6 million yearly.

"The Philippines is a leader in banana production and creating a new market would aid the livelihood of farmers in Mindanao where much of the exports are sourced," Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

He added: "Opening Philippine bananas to an important market such as the US will send a positive signal to our small farmers to diversify into high value crop production."

During his bilateral meeting with Acting Secretary Chuck Conner of the US-DA in Washington last month, Yap said, he had identified bananas to the American official as the Philippine commodity that should be given priority by the US in conducting its pest-risk analysis on potential products for imports.

Yap said Conner assured him that the US-DA would move to expeditiously conduct the pest risk analysis for Philippine bananas.

Philippine bananas are traditionally exported to Japan, Iran and Korea. Private sector players in the local banana industry have earlier sent a request to the DA, through the Bureau of Plant Industry, to initiate the process of penetrating the lucrative US market to further raise earnings from this high-value commodity.

Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Colombia are the top sources of bananas of the US.

The DA is targeting export earnings totaling $475 million and the creation of over 35,000 new jobs from its ongoing program to beef up the production and sales of bananas this year.

Yap said the DA is opening up more markets for bananas and other high-value commercial crops (HVCCs), which contribute significantly to the country's agro-fishery export earnings, through selling and trade missions in major markets like China and Japan and emerging markets in Europe and Asia.

DA aims to raise banana exports by 7.9 percent for 2007, which would translate into $475 million in export earnings in 2007.

The DA expects banana production, which reached 6.801 million metric tons last year, to increase by 543,420 MT more in 2007 to 7.345 million MT, representing a 7.88 percent increase.

The increase is due to the expansion in 2006 of lands planted to banana totaling 35,294 hectares, mostly in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, the Davao region and Central Mindanao.

The DA is targeting an expansion of 35,005 hectares of land planted to banana in Davao, Northern Mindanao and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Production increases are expected in Zamboanga Peninsula (247,201 MT), Northern Mindanao (714,732 MT), Davao (3.249 million MT), Central Mindanao (913,904 MT), CARAGA (229,952 MT), and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (390,594 MT). (GLP/With Press release)

Economic Status
1. davao
2.
3.
4.
5.

Urbanization
1. davao(widest built up and total urban sprawl)
2.
3.
4.
5.

Land area
1. davao, ?zamboanga, ?butuan
4.
5.

Airports (starting from Busiest)
1. davao
2.
3.
4.
5.


Seaports (starting from Busiest)
1. davao
2.
3.
4.
5.
Economic Status
1.) Davao
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Urbanization
1.) Davao
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Land Area by km²
1.) Davao - 2,444 km² *
2.) Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² *
3.) Butuan - 817.28 km² *
4.) Iligan - 813.37 km² *
5.) General Santos - 492.86 km² *
6.) Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² *
7.) Pagadian - 333.8 km² *
8.) Isabela - 223.73 km² *
9.) Cotabato - 176.00 km² *

Airport by Number of Flights a week
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Seaport by Number of Passengers
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)


Source:
* Wikipedia

Economic Status
1.) Davao
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Urbanization
1.) Davao
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Land Area by km²
1.) Davao - 2,444 km² *
2.) Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² *
3.) Butuan - 817.28 km² *
4.) Iligan - 813.37 km² *
5.) General Santos - 492.86 km² *
6.) Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² *
7.) Pagadian - 333.8 km² *
8.) Isabela - 223.73 km² *
9.) Cotabato - 176.00 km² *

Airport by Number of Flights a week
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Seaport by Number of Passengers
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)


Source:
* Wikipedia



Hmmm. I don't know what will be the outcome of this thread next year.

Anyway I'd love to see other solid evidences especially in some aspects. :cheers:

^^ well, davao being number one in mindanao (esp sa mga categories mentioned) is a well known fact and doesnt need any evidence na..you just have to be in the cities mentioned to compare ;)

yung seaport lang ata ang mali since konti lang ang iner-island vessels sa davao mostly kasi cargo

Economic Status
1.) Davao
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Urbanization
1.) Davao
2.) Cagayan de Oro
3.) Zamboanga
4.) General Santos
5.) Butuan and Iligan

Land Area by km²
1.) Davao - 2,444 km² *
2.) Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² *
3.) Butuan - 817.28 km² *
4.) Iligan - 813.37 km² *
5.) General Santos - 492.86 km² *
6.) Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² *
7.) Pagadian - 333.8 km² *
8.) Isabela - 223.73 km² *
9.) Cotabato - 176.00 km² *

Airport by Number of Flights a week
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Seaport by Number of Passengers
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)


Source:
* Wikipedia



Let me fill up the urbanization category based on my travel before in some cities and provinces of Mindanao. :cheers:

;17392188']^^ well, davao being number one in mindanao (esp sa mga categories mentioned) is a well known fact and doesnt need any evidence na..you just have to be in the cities mentioned to compare ;)


Well if that's your belief, and I respect it. But for me, mas maganda if we can provide solid evidences.

No doubt that Davao leads in urbanization, but I don't know in some categories especially nowadays. ^^

Well if that's your belief, and I respect it. But for me, mas maganda if we can provide solid evidences.

No doubt that Davao leads in urbanization, but I don't know in some categories especially nowadays. ^^

which category? economic status? syempre davao pa rin, flights per week?educational institutions? ano pa? it doesnt need solid evidence na davao is the premiere city in mindanao, its just as unnecessary as asking evidence before believing nga cebu is the premiere city in vizmin, or metro manila is the main metropolis of the Philippines :cheers:

these are cities na malayo ang agwat sa kanilang mga kasama hence evidence isnt needed :)

i think mahina lang ang davao sa inter-island na passengers since nga puro cargo dito

;17392276']which category? economic status? syempre davao pa rin, flights per week?educational institutions? ano pa? it doesnt need solid evidence na davao is the premiere city in mindanao, its just as unnecessary as asking evidence before believing nga cebu is the premiere city in vizmin, or metro manila is the main metropolis of the Philippines :cheers:

these are cities na malayo ang agwat sa kanilang mga kasama hence evidence isnt needed :)

i think mahina lang ang davao sa inter-island na passengers since nga puro cargo dito


That's the category I'd like to know nowadays. Nowadays is different unlike before. So hopefully we can provide evidence/s to it.

Economic Status, I can say, can be strongly solidified by annual income now. Hope we can provide annual income of each city here. ^^

^^ DC have 2 billion + 1/2 annual income alone!

That's the category I'd like to know nowadays. Nowadays is different unlike before. So hopefully we can provide evidence/s to it.

Economic Status, I can say, can be strongly solidified by annual income now. Hope we can provide annual income of each city here. ^^

Billionaire city to go on infra binge
DAVAO CITY EARMARKS
P3.7 BILLION FOR INFRAS

MYNEWS by ROGER M. BALANZA

The Davao City government has programmed P3.6 billion worth of infrastructure projects to be implemented from 2008 to 2010.

We can afford to embark on this ambitious building program with annual revenues zooming up, said councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, the chair of the Davao City Council committee on finance.

The City Treasurer’s Office in a mid-year report said total collections had stood in July at P2 billion opening up prospects annual tax could breach the P4 billion mark this year.

Ortiz presented the program on Tuesday at the council plenary contained in the Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP) for 2008-2010.

The LDIP, approved by the city council on second reading, earmarks P2.6 billion for infrastructure projects and P1 billion in non-infra projects.

The infrastructure fund would go to road building (P1.3 billion), buildings (P645 million), drainage projects (P252 million), electrification (P93 million), bridges (P130 million) and water system (P199 million).

Programs for economic development would get P189 million, social development P588 million and development administration at P262 million would share the P1 billion non-infra fund.


http://durianpost.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/

^^ DC have 2 billion + annual income 2nd to Qc ;)



Good for Davao ha. But can you post any recent article? Thanks! :cheers:

Billionaire city to go on infra binge
DAVAO CITY EARMARKS
P3.7 BILLION FOR INFRAS

MYNEWS by ROGER M. BALANZA

The Davao City government has programmed P3.6 billion worth of infrastructure projects to be implemented from 2008 to 2010.

We can afford to embark on this ambitious building program with annual revenues zooming up, said councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, the chair of the Davao City Council committee on finance.

The City Treasurer’s Office in a mid-year report said total collections had stood in July at P2 billion opening up prospects annual tax could breach the P4 billion mark this year.

Ortiz presented the program on Tuesday at the council plenary contained in the Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP) for 2008-2010.

The LDIP, approved by the city council on second reading, earmarks P2.6 billion for infrastructure projects and P1 billion in non-infra projects.

The infrastructure fund would go to road building (P1.3 billion), buildings (P645 million), drainage projects (P252 million), electrification (P93 million), bridges (P130 million) and water system (P199 million).

Programs for economic development would get P189 million, social development P588 million and development administration at P262 million would share the P1 billion non-infra fund.


http://durianpost.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/


Much appreciated now! :okay:

well Davao not only BIG in Economy but BIG in providing housing need for the less fortunate, hope other cities will emulate this! :cheers:

Davao developers now required to allocate for urban poor

By Judy Quiros
Inquirer
First Posted 03:47pm (Mla time) 12/04/2007

DAVAO CITY, Philippines -- Housing developers in this city are now required to set aside 20 percent of their project costs for the urban poor.

Based on the recently approved Comprehensive Urban Shelter and Services Development Code of Davao City, or the New Shelter Code, developers will not be given permits for new projects unless they comply with the new requirement.

Councilor Arnulfo Cabling, chairman of the committee on urban housing and rural development, said the 20 percent required of developers could be in the form of cash, infrastructure, or land.

He said even if the new shelter code, which was approved on November 12, has yet to take effect, several developers have already decided to set aside the required 20 percent.

He said Alsons Development and Investment Corp., one of the 20 applicants for new projects in the city, had donated 20 hectares in Lanang area in Buhangin district.

Cabling said another developer, Robinsons Development Corp. -- which is developing the posh Montclair Highlands subdivision, also in Buhangin district -- donated 15 hectares.

"The donations represented the companies' 20-percent share for urban housing," Cabling said.

Cabling said the city government will shoulder the development of the donated areas into urban poor housing projects.

Mindanao Land Foundation head Dam Vertido said the new housing policy will help address the growing problem of urban poor housing in the city.

He said 10 years ago, the backlog was already estimated at 40,000 units.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=104807

OT:

Ambie, kita kami ni jongjong and i showed him your latest photo here. Kumusta daw la na daw mo nagkita for a long time. hehehe!:):):)

OT:

Ambie, kita kami ni jongjong and i showed him your latest photo here. Kumusta daw la na daw mo nagkita for a long time. hehehe!:):):)

OT
haha si jongskie sige kamusta mo ako sa kanya sabihin mo "i knew what he did last summer" hehe ingna pud si Ricky Lim (Rall) kauban nato sa Forum , thanks Allan.

OT:

OT
haha si jongskie sige kamusta mo ako sa kanya sabihin mo "i knew what he did last summer" hehe ingna pud si Ricky Lim (Rall) kauban nato sa Forum , thanks Allan.

Ok... PM ko latest photo nya. :nuts::nuts::nuts:

Here's one proof a little outdated though but its worth sharing..^^

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Davao City listed among
BIR’s ‘Billionaires’ Club’

DAVAO CITY: Vice-Mayor Luis Bonguyan predicted the Davao City government’s annual revenue to hit the P3-billion mark this year, attributing this to investments pouring into the city.

The city is among few cities in the country listed in the Billionaires’ Club of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), with revenues of over P1 billion.
In 2003 the city landed with the third highest income after breaching the P2-billion mark.

Last year the city government operated on a P2.2-billion approved annual budget, with two supplemental budgets totaling about P300 million bringing to P2.5 billion its annual operation. About 60 percent of the revenues came from the internal revenue allocation with 40 percent raised from local taxes.
“We expect our revenues this year to hit P3 billion,” said Bonguyan, who is bowing out of office on June 30 after three terms as vice-mayor.

“This is a tremendous increase from the P380-million income of the city government when I first joined it in 1992,” said Bonguyan, an accountant, who started his political career as a city councilor.
He credited the city’s fast-paced development to stable peace and order and healthy business atmosphere.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is being scored by human rights and progressive groups for unsolved extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals, but the business community here said the killings add up to stronger confidence by business on the city’s potential as Southern Mindanao’s premier investment location.

Bonguyan, vice-chairman of the Davao City Investment Promotions Center, said tax holidays offered since 2000 by the city government under a tax incentive scheme to new investors led to flood local and foreign investments.

Even banks are confident of the city government’s financial status, offering multibillion loans to fund projects.

This year the government took out a P1-billion loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines, which pegged the city government loan capacity at P2 billion.

The 25-year loan funded the city’s modern synchronized traffic system, a new sewerage system, farm-to-market roads and a proposed sports complex.http://www.manilatimes.net/images2/etc/dot.gif
--PNA

Davao City Council’s Priorities 2007- 2010 (http://neodavao.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/davao-city-councils-priorities-2007-2010/)

The city council has released its priority legislative agenda for the next 3 years. The agenda was clustered into 7 areas namely:
economic development
environment
finance
infrastructure and urban planning
peace and public safety
public service
social service and developmentA. Proposed in the Economic Development Plan
Proposal to enact the tourism code of the city
Enactment of a legislation promoting sustainable agriculture
Amendment of the Investment CodeB. Proposed in the Environment Agenda
Environment Code
Fisheries Code
Adoption of a Sewerage System of Davao CityC. Finance Agenda
Updating of local measures on taxes, fees, and charges
Provision of more benefits to the city employeesD. Infrastructure and Urban Planning
Review of the comprehensive development plan and zonification ordinance of Davao City.
Creation of Davao City Zoo
Patubig sa Barangay - Potable Water SystemE. Peace and Public Safety
Crafting of an ordinance on the proper use of the streets
Crafting of an ordinance on the control volume of KaraokeF. Public Administration Agenda
Construction of a City College
Improvement of transport terminal and city hospital.
Creation of a Safety Department
Creation of Davao City Sports CommissionG. Social Service Agenda
Comprehensive Health Care System Code
Enhancement of legislations and programs for Women and Children
Enactment of the older person’s welfare code
Enactment of the Food Safety Code

^^ :applause:

Davao City Council’s Priorities 2007- 2010 (http://neodavao.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/davao-city-councils-priorities-2007-2010/)

The city council has released its priority legislative agenda for the next 3 years. The agenda was clustered into 7 areas namely:
economic development
environment
finance
infrastructure and urban planning
peace and public safety
public service
social service and developmentA. Proposed in the Economic Development Plan
Proposal to enact the tourism code of the city
Enactment of a legislation promoting sustainable agriculture
Amendment of the Investment CodeB. Proposed in the Environment Agenda
Environment Code
Fisheries Code
Adoption of a Sewerage System of Davao CityC. Finance Agenda
Updating of local measures on taxes, fees, and charges
Provision of more benefits to the city employeesD. Infrastructure and Urban Planning
Review of the comprehensive development plan and zonification ordinance of Davao City.
Creation of Davao City Zoo
Patubig sa Barangay - Potable Water SystemE. Peace and Public Safety
Crafting of an ordinance on the proper use of the streets
Crafting of an ordinance on the control volume of KaraokeF. Public Administration Agenda
Construction of a City College
Improvement of transport terminal and city hospital.
Creation of a Safety Department
Creation of Davao City Sports CommissionG. Social Service Agenda
Comprehensive Health Care System Code
Enhancement of legislations and programs for Women and Children
Enactment of the older person’s welfare code
Enactment of the Food Safety Code

Davao...bow

Let me fill up the urbanization category based on my travel before in some cities and provinces of Mindanao. :cheers:

well well now so let see how other Mindanao cities fair ... any "solid evidence" from your side @Farrirah? btw were talking about CITY ;)

Davao City Council’s Priorities 2007- 2010 (http://neodavao.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/davao-city-councils-priorities-2007-2010/)

The city council has released its priority legislative agenda for the next 3 years. The agenda was clustered into 7 areas namely:
economic development
environment
finance
infrastructure and urban planning
peace and public safety
public service
social service and developmentA. Proposed in the Economic Development Plan
Proposal to enact the tourism code of the city
Enactment of a legislation promoting sustainable agriculture
Amendment of the Investment CodeB. Proposed in the Environment Agenda
Environment Code
Fisheries Code
Adoption of a Sewerage System of Davao CityC. Finance Agenda
Updating of local measures on taxes, fees, and charges
Provision of more benefits to the city employeesD. Infrastructure and Urban Planning
Review of the comprehensive development plan and zonification ordinance of Davao City.
Creation of Davao City Zoo
Patubig sa Barangay - Potable Water SystemE. Peace and Public Safety
Crafting of an ordinance on the proper use of the streets
Crafting of an ordinance on the control volume of KaraokeF. Public Administration Agenda
Construction of a City College
Improvement of transport terminal and city hospital.
Creation of a Safety Department
Creation of Davao City Sports CommissionG. Social Service Agenda
Comprehensive Health Care System Code
Enhancement of legislations and programs for Women and Children
Enactment of the older person’s welfare code
Enactment of the Food Safety Code
wow! this should be posted in our thread!! can't wait!!

well-planned! BTW, do they have plans to bury the electrical wires? hehe! just a thought!

That's the category I'd like to know nowadays. Nowadays is different unlike before. So hopefully we can provide evidence/s to it.

Economic Status, I can say, can be strongly solidified by annual income now. Hope we can provide annual income of each city here. ^^

annual income 2005

1. davao city - P3.6 bln
2.
3.
4.
5.

annual income 2006

1. davao city - P4.471 bln
2.
3.
4.
5.

* cdo - P1.075 bln

annual income 2007

1. davao city - P2 bln (first half of 2007)
2.
3.
4.
5.

* cdo - P949,546,558.37 million (first 10 months 2007 after a massive collection drive)

Economic Status
1.) Davao
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Urbanization
1.) Davao
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Land Area by km²
1.) Davao - 2,444 km² *
2.) Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² *
3.) Butuan - 817.28 km² *
4.) Iligan - 813.37 km² *
5.) General Santos - 492.86 km² *
6.) Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² *
7.) Pagadian - 333.8 km² *
8.) Isabela - 223.73 km² *
9.) Cotabato - 176.00 km² *

Airport by Number of Flights a week
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Seaport by Number of Passengers
1.) Davao - ?
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)


Source:
* Wikipedia

seaport fair predictor should include cargo/ship movements. davao have the most number of shipcalls and total cargo volume

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o207/bicfomh/gg01/newyear/newyear007.gif

http://www.sevenoaksart.co.uk/images/happy_yearflag.gif

http://www.multimediapalace.com/animations-02/people-gifs/new-year.gif

!!!!!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SSC BACOLOD!!!!!!!!!!:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

HAPPY NEW YEAR

:dance:

That's the category I'd like to know nowadays. Nowadays is different unlike before. So hopefully we can provide evidence/s to it.

Economic Status, I can say, can be strongly solidified by annual income now. Hope we can provide annual income of each city here. ^^

Eto na contribution ko...

Land Area (in km²/has.) (Check Wikipedia)

1. Davao - 2,444 km² / 244,400 has.
2. Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² / 148,338 has.
3. Butuan - 817.28 km² / 81,728 has.
4. Iligan - 813.37 km² / 81,337 has.
5. General Santos - 492.86 km² / 49,286 has.
6. Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² / 48,886 has.
7. Pagadian - 333.8 km² / 33,380 has.

2006 Assets-Liabilities+Equity=Total Income (Check below)

1. Davao - P2,930,420,000
2. Zamboanga - P1,529,971,000
3. Cagayan de Oro - P1,219,384,000
4. Iligan - P1,142,396,000
5. General Santos - P881,233,000
6. Butuan - P755,265,000
7. Malaybalay - P566,303

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r9tor10.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r11to13.jpg

2006 Seaport Statistics Check: www.ppa.com.ph

By Passenger Traffic
Zamboanga - 3,208,531
Ozamiz - 2,862,394
Iligan - 2,063,576
Cagayan de Oro - 1,807,267
Davao - 1,476,978
Surigao - 1,259,040
Butuan (Nasipit) - 474,394

By Shipcalls
Davao 21,933
Zamboanga 15,928
Cagayan de Oro 15,151
Ozamiz 14,923
Iligan 13,863
Surigao 8,162
General Santos 1,431

By Containers Handled
Davao - 309,594
Cagayan de Oro - 231,700
General Santos - 109,160
Zamboanga - 60,225
Ozamiz - 36,918
Butuan (Nasipit) - 34,000
Iligan - 24,499

By Cargo Throughput
Cagayan de Oro - 19,136,459
Davao - 8,475,482
Surigao - 4,926,606
Iligan - 3,103,007
General Santos - 2,956,603
Zamboanga - 2,311,875
Butuan (Nasipit) - 1,702,884

Urbanization (2000 Census)
Davao
Zamboanga
Cagayan de Oro
General Santos
Iligan
Butuan
Tagum

2006 Airport Traffic

(Can't find any source)

wow! very nice info u got there gors. thanks :D

informative! thanks!

Eto na contribution ko...

Land Area (in km²/has.) (Check Wikipedia)

1. Davao - 2,444 km² / 244,400 has.
2. Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² / 148,338 has.
3. Butuan - 817.28 km² / 81,728 has.
4. Iligan - 813.37 km² / 81,337 has.
5. General Santos - 492.86 km² / 49,286 has.
6. Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² / 48,886 has.
7. Pagadian - 333.8 km² / 33,380 has.

2006 Assets-Liabilities+Equity=Total Income (Check below)

1. Davao - P2,930,420,000
2. Zamboanga - P1,529,971,000
3. Cagayan de Oro - P1,219,384,000
4. Iligan - P1,142,396,000
5. General Santos - P881,233,000
6. Butuan - P755,265,000
7. Malaybalay - P566,303

(For clarity, lagyan natin ng header, hindi lang masyadong align...:):)):)
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g283/boju4289/header2.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r9tor10.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r11to13.jpg

2006 Seaport Statistics Check: www.ppa.com.ph

By Passenger Traffic
Zamboanga - 3,208,531
Ozamiz - 2,862,394
Iligan - 2,063,576
Cagayan de Oro - 1,807,267
Davao - 1,476,978
Surigao - 1,259,040
Butuan (Nasipit) - 474,394

By Shipcalls
Davao 21,933
Zamboanga 15,928
Cagayan de Oro 15,151
Ozamiz 14,923
Iligan 13,863
Surigao 8,162
General Santos 1,431

By Containers Handled
Davao - 309,594
Cagayan de Oro - 231,700
General Santos - 109,160
Zamboanga - 60,225
Ozamiz - 36,918
Butuan (Nasipit) - 34,000
Iligan - 24,499

By Cargo Throughput
Cagayan de Oro - 19,136,459
Davao - 8,475,482
Surigao - 4,926,606
Iligan - 3,103,007
General Santos - 2,956,603
Zamboanga - 2,311,875
Butuan (Nasipit) - 1,702,884

Urbanization (2000 Census)
Davao
Zamboanga
Cagayan de Oro
General Santos
Iligan
Butuan
Tagum

2006 Airport Traffic

(Can't find any source)

nice search dude:):):)

informative! thanks!

look at the land area. its not informative, its misleading.

davao city only covers 244,400 hectares not 2,444,000 has.

^^ sorry nagkamali conversion ko. thanks. :)

1. Davao - 2,444 km² / 244,400 has.
2. Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² / 148,338 has.
3. Butuan - 817.28 km² / 81,728 has.
4. Iligan - 813.37 km² / 81,337 has.
5. General Santos - 492.86 km² / 49,286 has.
6. Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² / 48,886 has.
7. Pagadian - 333.8 km² / 33,380 has.

ano po ba ang pinagkaiba ng "containers handled" at "cargo throughput"?

look at the land area. its not informative, its misleading.

davao city only covers 244,400 hectares not 2,444,000 has.
aw! sorry!

;17434685']ano po ba ang pinagkaiba ng "containers handled" at "cargo throughput"?

cargo throughput = The total number of cargo in tons loaded and unloaded in a port in one year. Throughput is the sum of import and export cargoes.

containers handled = The number of containers, usually expressed in the standard dimension of TEU, a port or terminal is designed to handle in a period of one year. A Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) is the standard unit to express container capacity. A TEU is a representation of an (usually) 8 feet wide, 8 ft or 8ft 6in or 9ft 6 in high and 20 ft long container. The very large portion of the world container population consists of 20and 40ft long containers (or boxes). Following the above TEU description, a 40ft container equals 2 TEU

source (http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:BFg2IUGvuToJ:www.worldbank.org/transport/transportresults/coremeasures/cm-ports.pdf+definition+of+%22cargo+throughput%22&hl=tl&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=ph)

;17434685']ano po ba ang pinagkaiba ng "containers handled" at "cargo throughput"?

Containers handled - measured in metric tons.
Container throughput - measured in one (1) twenty foot equivalent unit or 1 TEU.

A 40-footer container measures 40 feet long by 8.5 feet square and can be counted as equivalent to 2 TEUs. Non-standard container sizes are calculated based on the 20-foot standard equivalent.

from http://www.ppa.com.ph/


Visibly fewer in number, foreign shipcalls fall short once more by more than one (1) percent against the total in 2005. Outnumbered by coastwise ones, foreign vessel calls reached only 9,760 at year-end. In terms of foreign vessel count, PDO Manila/Northern Luzon placed on top once more as the volume of shipcalls was concentrated at PMO South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal. More than 52 percent or 5,080 of the total foreign shipcalls berthed and anchored during the period at the ports under its jurisdiction. Far second was PDO Southern Mindanao at 2,158 with PMO Davao contributing more than 81 percent of the total PDO traffic. Third was PDO Southern Luzon with 1,086 shipcalls, followed by PDO Northern Mindanao with 894 and last was PDO Visayas with 542 foreign shipcalls.


so while davao may not be the busiest port in mindanao (passenger and domestic cargo-wise) PMO Davao is among the country's busiest in terms of foreign ship calls (of course di kasali ang cebu, batangas and subic since di ata under sa PPA ang mga yun)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/ILIGAN/PBA_Mindanaoncopy-1.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r9tor10.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r11to13.jpg



looking at davao's figure (is this 2006 or 2005 data?), anyways,
2,930.420 (total income)
- 2,681,302 (total expenses)
= 249,118 (ito ba yung tinatawag na surplus?)

kung ito nga (249,118) no wonder ang liit ng bonus ng davao city hall employees hehe. would you believe sa malaybalay city 80t and bonus ng casual and regular while 37t ang sa job order and contractual. ang tindi talaga ni zubiri no? sa provincial employees a whooping 100t overall ang bonus halos talunin nila ang GSIS.

^ dako ang gi allocate nila sa budget pero gituyo nga gamay ra igasto para dako ug savings, dako ug savings = dako ug bonus inig pasko. marunong nga politiko.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/ILIGAN/PBA_Mindanaoncopy-1.jpg

and i thought felix belano is a native of Maco or Kapalong, Tagum City pala dinala nya. i miss the MBA (metropolitan basketball association) era, sarap ng larong basketbol noon. remember the davao eagles, cebu gems, cdo nuggets, laguna lakers, manila metrostars, etc? patayan ang laro noon but the fans surely enjoyed the moment.

That's the category I'd like to know nowadays. Nowadays is different unlike before. So hopefully we can provide evidence/s to it.

Economic Status, I can say, can be strongly solidified by annual income now. Hope we can provide annual income of each city here. ^^

Far, IMO, universal measure of economic status is by local GDP and not by annual income alone..

annual income should be commensurated with the local population size

Far, IMO, universal measure of economic status is by local GDP and not by annual income alone..

annual income should be commensurated with the local population size
for a status, gdp per capita is the best determinant for me

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080103113334.html

hurrah for mindanao :)

UK magazine cites Davao City among top Asian 10 cities
spacer


Gil M. Abarico

DAVAO CITY — In the latest selection of top 10 "Asian Cities of the Future" by London-based FDI magazine, which is exclusively published for the corporate world, Davao City is listed No. 10 together with two other Philippine cities – Quezon City (No. 7) and Cebu City (No 8).

The other Asian cities in the top 10 list are: Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), Melbourne (Australia), Dalian (China), Shijiazhuang (China), and Guangzhou (China).

This was reported by Andre Fournier, board member of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI), during the weekly Club 888 media forum held at Marco Polo-Davao.

Fournier, chairman of DCCCI committee on Information Technology (IT), also reported that in the magazine’s listing of top five Asian Cities with the "best human resources," Davao City was No. 5, together with four other cities — Singapore (1), Melbourne (2), Hong Kong (3), and Taipei (4).

The finance magazine used the following judging criteria: economic potential, cost effectiveness, human resources, quality of life, infrastructure, business friendliness and promotion strategy.

Member of its judging panel were David Kinnear, president of DDC HRO, a provider of process outsourcing solutions (New York); James Ku, manager of consultancy firm Tractus-Asia, Ltd. (Shanghai); Anupam Prakasi, Asia-Pacific leader in global sourcing and business transformation at HR consultancy firm Hewitt Associates (India); and Lawrence Yeo, CEO of international consultancy firm AsiaBIZ (Singapore).

Fournier said that despite its recognition in international business and finance as having good potentials as a global investment site, Davao City’s leaders – both in the government and private sector – should not rest on the city’s laurels, but strive more to develop and tap its potentials.

;17452858']http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080103113334.html

hurrah for mindanao :)

AFAIK??? wala man lang miski isang Japanese city ?:dunno:

^^ i think most japanese cities nasa peak na, so theres no other way either sustain or go down a bit.

;17452858']http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080103113334.html

hurrah for mindanao :)

UK magazine cites Davao City among top Asian 10 cities
spacer


Gil M. Abarico

DAVAO CITY — In the latest selection of top 10 "Asian Cities of the Future" by London-based FDI magazine, which is exclusively published for the corporate world, Davao City is listed No. 10 together with two other Philippine cities – Quezon City (No. 7) and Cebu City (No 8).

The other Asian cities in the top 10 list are: Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), Melbourne (Australia), Dalian (China), Shijiazhuang (China), and Guangzhou (China).

This was reported by Andre Fournier, board member of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI), during the weekly Club 888 media forum held at Marco Polo-Davao.

Fournier, chairman of DCCCI committee on Information Technology (IT), also reported that in the magazine’s listing of top five Asian Cities with the "best human resources," Davao City was No. 5, together with four other cities — Singapore (1), Melbourne (2), Hong Kong (3), and Taipei (4).

The finance magazine used the following judging criteria: economic potential, cost effectiveness, human resources, quality of life, infrastructure, business friendliness and promotion strategy.

Member of its judging panel were David Kinnear, president of DDC HRO, a provider of process outsourcing solutions (New York); James Ku, manager of consultancy firm Tractus-Asia, Ltd. (Shanghai); Anupam Prakasi, Asia-Pacific leader in global sourcing and business transformation at HR consultancy firm Hewitt Associates (India); and Lawrence Yeo, CEO of international consultancy firm AsiaBIZ (Singapore).

Fournier said that despite its recognition in international business and finance as having good potentials as a global investment site, Davao City’s leaders – both in the government and private sector – should not rest on the city’s laurels, but strive more to develop and tap its potentials.

wow mindanao!

let's go up!!

Friday, January 04, 2008
MBC cites investors on Minda investment performance (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2008/01/04/bus/mbc.cites.investors.on.minda.investment.performance.html)

THE Mindanao Business Council (MBC) has lauded the local investors for their confidence in putting up projects and their remarkable contribution to Mindanao's total investment performance.

"Most of those registered with the Bureau of Investments (BOI) were coming from local investors," said Vicente T. Lao, Chairperson of the Mindanao Business Council (MBC).

A total investment of P4.315 billion from 18 projects have been registered with the BOI and the Phividec Industrial Estate (PIE) in the first half of the year, posting an 133.8 percent increase in investment performance of the island.

Posting the biggest investment of P2.792 billon was Southern Mindanao followed by those from the PIE, Northern Mindanao, most of which came from existing establishments undergoing expansion or rehabilitation of their business operations, Lao said.

P3.34 billion or 97 percent of the total investments came from local investors posting a 168.9 percent increase for the period. Foreign investments, however, went down by about 80 percent, from P603.55 million in the first semester of 2006 to P115 million in the same period of 2007.

Lao said the bulk of foreign investments came from Chinese investors on mineral exploration projects, particularly, chromite ore with tie up ventures from the local mining corporations in the municipalities of Loreto and San Jose in Dinagat Island while others came from Japanese investors who are into activated carbon manufacturing and South Koreans who are operating in the coco peat industry.

Moreover, the power generation sector got the biggest share of P2.66 billion. This was followed by the mining sector on the exploration of chromite ore, sand and concentrates which had a total value of P333.354 million or 10 percent while processed fruits and vegetables, processed meat and investments in cold storage facility contributed a share of 3 percent each in the total investments. (Press release)

^^ si vic lao gihatagan mig isa ka-box nga mansanas last chistmas.

Dako siguro siya ug account sa inyo dave...:cheers:

Friday, January 04, 2008
MBC cites investors on Minda investment performance (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2008/01/04/bus/mbc.cites.investors.on.minda.investment.performance.html)

THE Mindanao Business Council (MBC) has lauded the local investors for their confidence in putting up projects and their remarkable contribution to Mindanao's total investment performance.

"Most of those registered with the Bureau of Investments (BOI) were coming from local investors," said Vicente T. Lao, Chairperson of the Mindanao Business Council (MBC).

A total investment of P4.315 billion from 18 projects have been registered with the BOI and the Phividec Industrial Estate (PIE) in the first half of the year, posting an 133.8 percent increase in investment performance of the island.

Posting the biggest investment of P2.792 billon was Southern Mindanao followed by those from the PIE, Northern Mindanao, most of which came from existing establishments undergoing expansion or rehabilitation of their business operations, Lao said.

P3.34 billion or 97 percent of the total investments came from local investors posting a 168.9 percent increase for the period. Foreign investments, however, went down by about 80 percent, from P603.55 million in the first semester of 2006 to P115 million in the same period of 2007.

Lao said the bulk of foreign investments came from Chinese investors on mineral exploration projects, particularly, chromite ore with tie up ventures from the local mining corporations in the municipalities of Loreto and San Jose in Dinagat Island while others came from Japanese investors who are into activated carbon manufacturing and South Koreans who are operating in the coco peat industry.

Moreover, the power generation sector got the biggest share of P2.66 billion. This was followed by the mining sector on the exploration of chromite ore, sand and concentrates which had a total value of P333.354 million or 10 percent while processed fruits and vegetables, processed meat and investments in cold storage facility contributed a share of 3 percent each in the total investments. (Press release)
Good news for Southern Mindanao... and to Mindanao in general....

Land Area (in km²/has.) (Check Wikipedia)

1. Davao - 2,444 km² / 244,400 has.
2. Zamboanga - 1,483.38 km² / 148,338 has.
3. Butuan - 817.28 km² / 81,728 has.
4. Iligan - 813.37 km² / 81,337 has.
5. General Santos - 492.86 km² / 49,286 has.
6. Cagayan de Oro - 488.86 km² / 48,886 has.
7. Pagadian - 333.8 km² / 33,380 has.

2006 Assets-Liabilities+Equity=Total Income (Check below)

1. Davao - P2,930,420,000
2. Zamboanga - P1,529,971,000
3. Cagayan de Oro - P1,219,384,000
4. Iligan - P1,142,396,000
5. General Santos - P881,233,000
6. Butuan - P755,265,000
7. Malaybalay - P566,303

(For clarity, lagyan natin ng header, hindi lang masyadong align...:):)):)
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g283/boju4289/header2.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r9tor10.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/r11to13.jpg

2006 Seaport Statistics Check: www.ppa.com.ph (http://www.ppa.com.ph/)

By Passenger Traffic
Zamboanga - 3,208,531
Ozamiz - 2,862,394
Iligan - 2,063,576
Cagayan de Oro - 1,807,267
Davao - 1,476,978
Surigao - 1,259,040
Butuan (Nasipit) - 474,394

By Shipcalls
Davao 21,933
Zamboanga 15,928
Cagayan de Oro 15,151
Ozamiz 14,923
Iligan 13,863
Surigao 8,162
General Santos 1,431

By Containers Handled
Davao - 309,594
Cagayan de Oro - 231,700
General Santos - 109,160
Zamboanga - 60,225
Ozamiz - 36,918
Butuan (Nasipit) - 34,000
Iligan - 24,499

By Cargo Throughput
Cagayan de Oro - 19,136,459
Davao - 8,475,482
Surigao - 4,926,606
Iligan - 3,103,007
General Santos - 2,956,603
Zamboanga - 2,311,875
Butuan (Nasipit) - 1,702,884

Urbanization (2000 Census)
Davao
Zamboanga
Cagayan de Oro
General Santos
Iligan
Butuan
Tagum

Airport Traffic
Davao

Flight Schedule
Davao City Flight Schedules

CARRIER DESTINATION ETA ETD

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES

Davao – Manila 07:30 09:30 Daily

09:50 11:50 Daily *

13:30 15:30 Daily

15:45 17:45 Daily

19:30 21:30 Daily

21:05 23:05 Daily

* To operate effective Dec. 1, 2007

Manila – Davao 04:30 06:30 Daily

07:00 09:00 Daily *

10:30 12:30 Daily

13:05 15:05 Daily

16:30 18:30 Daily

18:25 20:25 Daily

* To operate effective Dec. 1, 2007

AIR PHILIPPINES

Davao – Manila 09:40 11:20 Daily

19:15 20:55 Daily

Manila – Davao 07:30 09:10 Daily

14:00 15:40 Daily



Davao – Cebu 11:40 12:35 Daily

16:15 17:10 Daily

Cebu – Davao 09:55 10:50 Daily

17:40 18:35 Daily

CEBU PACIFIC

Direct Flights:

Davao – Manila 07:25 09:10 Daily

12:30 14:15 Daily

14:40 16:25 Daily

18:10 19:55 Daily

21:40 23:25 Daily

Manila – Davao 05:10 06:55 Daily

10:15 12:00 Daily

12:25 14:10 Daily

15:55 17:40 Daily

19:25 21:10 Daily

Davao – Cebu 06:30 07:25 Daily

11:35 12:30 Daily

17:55 18:50 M/Tu/W/F

20:55 21:50 Th/Su

Cebu – Davao 05:05 06:00 Daily

10:10 11:05 Daily

16:30 17:25 M/Tu/W/F

19:30 20:25 Th/Su

Davao – Iloilo 06:15 07:20 Tu/Th/Sa

Iloilo – Davao 07:50 08:55 Tu/Th/Sa

* Davao – Iloilo – Davao effective May 8, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Zamboanga 09:10 10:05 Mo/We/Sa/Su

Zamboanga – Davao 07:45 08:40 Mo/We/Sa/Su

Davao – Hong Kong 20:40 23:30 M/W/F/Sa

17:55 23:50 M/Tu/W/F


Hong Kong – Davao 00:15 03:05 Tu/Th/Sa/Su

00:35 06:00 M/Tu/W/Th/F/Sa

* Davao – Hongkong – Davao effective May 9, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Singapore 20:00 23:15 Tu/Th/Su

17:55 23:25 M/Tu/W/F

Singapore – Davao 23:59 03:15+1 Tu/Th/Su

00:20 06:00Tu/W/Th/Sa/Su

* Davao – Singapore – Davao effective May 8, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Taipei 17:55 22:10 M/W/F

Taipei – Davao 22:55 06:00+1 M/W/F

* Davao – Taipei – Davao effective Dec. 14, 2007 until further notice


Connecting Flights:

Davao – Bacolod 06:30 08:30 Daily (via Cebu)

12:30 16:50 Daily (via Manila)

Bacolod – Davao 09:00 11:05 Daily (via Cebu)

06:20 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

10:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Butuan 07:25 12:35 Daily (via Manila)

Butuan – Davao 13:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Cagayan de Oro 07:25 13:20 Daily (via Manila)

12:30 16:30 Daily (via Manila)

06:30 13:50 Tu/Th/Sa (via Cebu)

Cagayan de Oro – Davao 06:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

13:50 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

14:20 17:25 Tuesday (via Cebu)

Davao – Clark 06:30 11:35 M/W/F (via Cebu)

Clark – Davao 12:05 17:25 M/W/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Cotabato 07:25 13:20 M/W/F/Sa (via Manila)

Cotabato – Davao 13:50 21:10 M/W/F/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – General Santos 07:25 13:55 Daily (via Manila)

General Santos – Davao 14:25 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Iloilo 06:30 08:35 Daily (via Cebu)

12:30 20:10 Daily (via Manila)

Iloilo – Davao 09:05 11:05 Daily (via Cebu)

06:35 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

10:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Kalibo 12:30 16:10 Daily (via Manila)

06:30 13:50 M/W/F/Su (viaCebu)

Kalibo – Davao 10:50 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

16:40 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

14:20 17:25 Mo/W/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Laoag 07:25 12:55 M/W/Sa (via Manila)

Laoag – Davao 13:25 17:40 M/W/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – Legaspi 07:25 13:40 Daily (via Manila)

Legaspi – Davao 14:10 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Puerto Princesa 06:30 11:30 Tu/Th/Sa (via Cebu)

Puerto Princesa – Davao 12:00 17:25 Tuesday (via Cebu)

Davao – Roxas 07:25 12:50 Tu/Th/F/Su(viaManila)

Roxas – Davao 13:20 17:40 Tu/Th/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Tacloban 12:30 17:05 Daily (via Manila)

Tacloban – Davao 06:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

12:20 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Tagbilaran 07:25 13:30 Daily (via Manila)

Tagbilaran – Davao 14:00 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

07:30 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Zamboanga 06:30 10:05 Tu/Th/F (via Cebu)

Zamboanga – Davao 07:45 11:05 Tu/Th/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Dipolog 07:25 13:10 Tu/Th/Su (via Manila)

Dipolog – Davao 13:40 21:10 Tu/Th/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Dumaguete 07:25 15:25 Daily (via Manila)

Dumaguete – Davao 08:45 17:40 Tu/Th/Sa/Su(via Manila)

15:55 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Bangkok 14:40 00:20+1 Daily (via Manila)

Bangkok – Davao 01:10 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Canton 12:30 21:30 M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Canton – Davao 22:15 06:55+1 M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Hong Kong 07:25 18:40 Daily (via Manila)

12:30 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

17:55 23:50 M/Tu/W/F(via Cebu)

Hong Kong – Davao 11:00 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

00:35 06:00 M/Tu/W/Th/F/Sa (via Cebu)

Davao – Jakarta 14:40 23:45 M/W/F (via Manila)

Jakarta – Davao 00:30 12:00 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Davao–Kuala Lumpur14:40 00:35+1 Tu/Th/Sa/Su (via Manila)

Kuala Lumpur–Davao 01:20 12:00M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Macau 14:40 21:30 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Macau – Davao 22:15 06:55+1 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – Shanghai 14:40 00:05+1 Daily (via Manila)

Shanghai – Davao 00:55 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Singapore 14:40 23:55 Daily (via Manila)

17:55 23:25 M/Tu/W/F(via Cebu)

Singapore – Davao 00:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

00:20 06:00Tu/W/Th/Sa/Su (via Cebu)

Davao – Taipei 17:55 22:10 M/W/F (viaCebu)

Taipei – Davao 22:55 06:00+1 Mo/We/Fr (via Cebu)

* Davao – Taipei – Davao (via Cebu) effective Dec. 14, 2007 until further notice

ASIAN SPIRIT

Davao – Palau 11:30 14:00 Wednesday

Palau – Davao 09:40 10:15 Wednesday

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Davao – Singapore 15:15 18:55 Mo/Tu/Th/Sa

13:35 18:55 We/Fr/Su (via Cebu)

Singapore – Davao 09:05 12:55 We/Fr/Su

09:05 14:35 Mo/TuTh/Sa(via Cebu)

SRIWIJAYA AIR

Davao – Manado 10:45 11:50 Monday

Manado – Davao 08:55 10:00 Monday

source: http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/localgov...dule.aspx?id=1 (http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/localgovernment/schedule.aspx?id=1)

courtesy of jhunix

Urbanization (2000 Census)
Davao
Zamboanga
Cagayan de Oro
General Santos
Iligan
Butuan
Tagum


hmmm....I believe population census does NOT directly reflect a city's level of urbanity/urbanization..

Calcutta is humongous in terms of population, but pales in comparison with smaller metropolitan Nagoya in terms of urban development..

likewise, locally Zambo has a bigger population, but this does not entirely say it has similar level of urbanization as that of CDO...

^^ I think it's how you define "urbanity/urbanization " , in western world it's buildings, cafes etc but in our "world" we deal w/ urban blight , informal settlers etc. :)

hmmm....I believe population census does NOT directly reflect a city's level of urbanity/urbanization..

Calcutta is humongous in terms of population, but pales in comparison with smaller metropolitan Nagoya in terms of urban development..

likewise, locally Zambo has a bigger population, but this does not entirely say it has similar level of urbanization as that of CDO...

Dapat pala Google Earth images. :)

Transco, Hyundai sign P3-B contract for Mindanao project (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/75271/Transco-Hyundai-sign-P3-B-contract-for-Mindanao-project)
01/04/2008 | 05:01 PM

The National Transmission Corp. has signed a P3-billion contract with Korean firms Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd. and Hyundai Corp. for the improvement of transmission lines in Mindanao.

In a statement released Friday, Transco said Hyundai won the contract through a competitive public bidding. The project will involve improvements to a double-circuit, two-conductor transmission line spanning 105 kilometers from Maramag, Bukidnon to Bunawan, Davao City.

"The project is part of the Abaga-Kirahon-Maramag (Pulangi)-Bunawan 230-kV Transmission Line Project which involves putting up higher capacity lines on steel towers, building new switching stations, and boosting the capability of associated substations to handle bigger loads," Transco said in its statement.

Other project components, Transco said, are the construction of a new switching station in Maramag and the expansion of Bunawan and Tagoloan substations through the installation of new transformers – one 100-MVA at Tagoloan substation, one 75-MVA at Maramag substation, and one 50-MVA at Bunawan substation.

"Once completed, the line will be able to transmit increased power flow from power plants in northern Mindanao towards the major electricity consumers in the area," Transco said. The proposed transmission network will serve as the main 230-kV highway of power delivery to the Southern part of Mindanao .

Transco said the total peso equivalent of the project cost is P2.997 billion. It said 85 percent of the project’s foreign exchange cost will be sourced from the Calyon funding facility while the remaining fifteen percent 15 percent of the forex cost, together with the peso currency component, will be funded from Transco’s internal cash generation.

Representatives of Transco and Hyundai signed the project contract last Dec. 21, 2007. -

4 studies support railway system in Davao
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Sunstar Online Davao

DAVAO CITY — THE Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) has identified four studies for the implementation of the Mindanao Railway System or the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Davao Region.

Lawyer Wendel Avisado, executive director of the DIDP, said the studies support the establishment of the railway system, which was recently supported by an international financing institution, the MCC Capital Projects Limited based in the United Kingdom.

"The studies in support to the establishment of the railway system are the Davao City Urban Transportaion Land Use Study, the Davao City Comprehensive Development Plan, the Transportation and Traffic Management Plan, and the DIDP Master Plan," Avisado said.

Avisado said the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) prepared the Davao City Urban Transportation Land Use Study in 1984.

Under the Davao City Comprehensive Development Plan, Avisado said the railway system has an estimated average trip length in excess of 10 kilometers and the estimated total passengers is 2.5 million.

He added that the same development plan was developed for year 1996 to 2021.

In the DIDP Master Plan, the railway system is proposed to be 60 kilometers in length to include Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, and Panabo City in Davao del Norte.

Avisado said the railway system would serve the coastal built-up area of Davao City, as well as the neighboring areas in Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte.

DIDP earlier said that the railway project was estimated at P240 billion as of 1997.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / January 4) – The Davao region is the pilot area for encouraging undocumented Filipinos to avail of late birth registration through the distribution of a Cebuano translation of the National Statistics Office (NSO) primer on the importance of birth registration.
The NSO said that this was the first time its primers were translated to another dialect aside from Filipino and it was the Southeastern Mindanao office which initiated its translation “to break the language barrier.”

The region comprises the three Davao provinces – Oriental, del Sur and del Norte; and Compostela Valley and the cities of Davao, Digos, Panabo, Tagum, Samal, Mati.

The primers contain information on the right of Filipinos to have a name and nationality, of the importance of birth registrations among tribal communities and among children in need of special protection to avail of government services and protection.

The translated NSO information materials were: Pagpalambo sa Katungod sa Bata nga Makaangkon ug Ngalan ug Nasyonalidad (On the rights of the child to a name and nationality), Unsay Kinahanglan NImo Mahibal-an Mahitungod sa Civil Registration for Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous People (What you need to know about civil registration for Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples), Unsay Kinahanglan NImo Mahibal-an Mahitungod sa Birth Registration of Children in Need of Special Protection (What you need to know about birth registration of Children in Need of Special Protection), Unsay Kinahanglan Nimo Mahibal-an Mahitungod sa Civil Registration (What you need to know about civil registration), Unsay Kinahanglan NImo Mahibal-an Mahitungod sa Republic Act 9255 (What you need to know about RA 9255), Unsay Kinahanglan NImo Mahibal-an Mahitungod sa Civil Registration for Muslim Filipinos (What you need to know about civil registration for Muslim Filipinos), Unsay Kinahanglan NImo Mahibal-an Mahitungod sa Late Registration of Birth, Death, Marriage (What you need to know about Late Registration of Birth, Death, Marriage) and Unsay Kinahanglan NImo Mahibal-an Mahitungod sa Republic Act 9048 (What you need to know about RA 9048.

Raul Gomez, OIC regional director of NSO XI, said the materials will be piloted in Davao City, in Malita and Sta. Cruz of Davao del Sur, in Kapalong and Tagum City of Davao del Norte, and in Cariaga, and Mati of Davao Oriental. The NSO printed an initial 10,000 copies of the primers.

According to the 2000 census, there are about five million Filipinos who are not registered. In Southeastern Mindanao, whose population is 5.18 million, between 75 percent to 80 percent are not registered.

Gomez said the concentration of unregistered residents is in Malita and Jose Abad Santos.

In Davao City, which has a population of 1.147 million, the number of registered Filipinos is as high as 90 percent.

The NSO, however, said that in Moro-dominated areas, registration is low, at only 20 percent of their population. In contrast, Luzon has almost 100 percent registration, with the Ilocos region posting 100 percent registration.
Carmelita Ericta, NSO administrator, said NSO had seen the need to translate information materials to Cebuano “to reach out and be read and understood better”.

Lourdes Hufana, director of the civil registry department of the NSO Central Office said “the dialect used in the information material proved to have a pivotal role in the people's acceptance on the materials.”

She said the first materials used by the NSO were printed in English but when these were translated to Filipino, “more people realized the importance of birth registration and the number [of registrations] increased”.

She said that “although there are many factors why birth registration is low in some areas in the country, the people's lack of information on its importance is the primary reason why there are still Filipinos who are not registered”.

Hufana said “there are studies made that shows that in areas where there is information dissemination, the number of birth registration is high and in areas where information dissemination is low the number of birth registration is dismal.” (MindaNews (http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3588&Itemid=50))

karamihan sa cebu pacific are connecting flights.


Flight Schedule
Davao City Flight Schedules

CARRIER DESTINATION ETA ETD

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES

Davao – Manila 07:30 09:30 Daily

09:50 11:50 Daily *

13:30 15:30 Daily

15:45 17:45 Daily

19:30 21:30 Daily

21:05 23:05 Daily

* To operate effective Dec. 1, 2007

Manila – Davao 04:30 06:30 Daily

07:00 09:00 Daily *

10:30 12:30 Daily

13:05 15:05 Daily

16:30 18:30 Daily

18:25 20:25 Daily

* To operate effective Dec. 1, 2007

AIR PHILIPPINES

Davao – Manila 09:40 11:20 Daily

19:15 20:55 Daily

Manila – Davao 07:30 09:10 Daily

14:00 15:40 Daily



Davao – Cebu 11:40 12:35 Daily

16:15 17:10 Daily

Cebu – Davao 09:55 10:50 Daily

17:40 18:35 Daily

CEBU PACIFIC

Direct Flights:

Davao – Manila 07:25 09:10 Daily

12:30 14:15 Daily

14:40 16:25 Daily

18:10 19:55 Daily

21:40 23:25 Daily

Manila – Davao 05:10 06:55 Daily

10:15 12:00 Daily

12:25 14:10 Daily

15:55 17:40 Daily

19:25 21:10 Daily

Davao – Cebu 06:30 07:25 Daily

11:35 12:30 Daily

17:55 18:50 M/Tu/W/F

20:55 21:50 Th/Su

Cebu – Davao 05:05 06:00 Daily

10:10 11:05 Daily

16:30 17:25 M/Tu/W/F

19:30 20:25 Th/Su

Davao – Iloilo 06:15 07:20 Tu/Th/Sa

Iloilo – Davao 07:50 08:55 Tu/Th/Sa

* Davao – Iloilo – Davao effective May 8, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Zamboanga 09:10 10:05 Mo/We/Sa/Su

Zamboanga – Davao 07:45 08:40 Mo/We/Sa/Su

Davao – Hong Kong 20:40 23:30 M/W/F/Sa

17:55 23:50 M/Tu/W/F


Hong Kong – Davao 00:15 03:05 Tu/Th/Sa/Su

00:35 06:00 M/Tu/W/Th/F/Sa

* Davao – Hongkong – Davao effective May 9, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Singapore 20:00 23:15 Tu/Th/Su

17:55 23:25 M/Tu/W/F

Singapore – Davao 23:59 03:15+1 Tu/Th/Su

00:20 06:00Tu/W/Th/Sa/Su

* Davao – Singapore – Davao effective May 8, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Taipei 17:55 22:10 M/W/F

Taipei – Davao 22:55 06:00+1 M/W/F

* Davao – Taipei – Davao effective Dec. 14, 2007 until further notice


Connecting Flights:

Davao – Bacolod 06:30 08:30 Daily (via Cebu)

12:30 16:50 Daily (via Manila)

Bacolod – Davao 09:00 11:05 Daily (via Cebu)

06:20 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

10:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Butuan 07:25 12:35 Daily (via Manila)

Butuan – Davao 13:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Cagayan de Oro 07:25 13:20 Daily (via Manila)

12:30 16:30 Daily (via Manila)

06:30 13:50 Tu/Th/Sa (via Cebu)

Cagayan de Oro – Davao 06:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

13:50 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

14:20 17:25 Tuesday (via Cebu)

Davao – Clark 06:30 11:35 M/W/F (via Cebu)

Clark – Davao 12:05 17:25 M/W/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Cotabato 07:25 13:20 M/W/F/Sa (via Manila)

Cotabato – Davao 13:50 21:10 M/W/F/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – General Santos 07:25 13:55 Daily (via Manila)

General Santos – Davao 14:25 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Iloilo 06:30 08:35 Daily (via Cebu)

12:30 20:10 Daily (via Manila)

Iloilo – Davao 09:05 11:05 Daily (via Cebu)

06:35 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

10:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Kalibo 12:30 16:10 Daily (via Manila)

06:30 13:50 M/W/F/Su (viaCebu)

Kalibo – Davao 10:50 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

16:40 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

14:20 17:25 Mo/W/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Laoag 07:25 12:55 M/W/Sa (via Manila)

Laoag – Davao 13:25 17:40 M/W/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – Legaspi 07:25 13:40 Daily (via Manila)

Legaspi – Davao 14:10 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Puerto Princesa 06:30 11:30 Tu/Th/Sa (via Cebu)

Puerto Princesa – Davao 12:00 17:25 Tuesday (via Cebu)

Davao – Roxas 07:25 12:50 Tu/Th/F/Su(viaManila)

Roxas – Davao 13:20 17:40 Tu/Th/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Tacloban 12:30 17:05 Daily (via Manila)

Tacloban – Davao 06:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

12:20 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Tagbilaran 07:25 13:30 Daily (via Manila)

Tagbilaran – Davao 14:00 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

07:30 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Zamboanga 06:30 10:05 Tu/Th/F (via Cebu)

Zamboanga – Davao 07:45 11:05 Tu/Th/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Dipolog 07:25 13:10 Tu/Th/Su (via Manila)

Dipolog – Davao 13:40 21:10 Tu/Th/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Dumaguete 07:25 15:25 Daily (via Manila)

Dumaguete – Davao 08:45 17:40 Tu/Th/Sa/Su(via Manila)

15:55 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Bangkok 14:40 00:20+1 Daily (via Manila)

Bangkok – Davao 01:10 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Canton 12:30 21:30 M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Canton – Davao 22:15 06:55+1 M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Hong Kong 07:25 18:40 Daily (via Manila)

12:30 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

17:55 23:50 M/Tu/W/F(via Cebu)

Hong Kong – Davao 11:00 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

00:35 06:00 M/Tu/W/Th/F/Sa (via Cebu)

Davao – Jakarta 14:40 23:45 M/W/F (via Manila)

Jakarta – Davao 00:30 12:00 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Davao–Kuala Lumpur14:40 00:35+1 Tu/Th/Sa/Su (via Manila)

Kuala Lumpur–Davao 01:20 12:00M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Macau 14:40 21:30 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Macau – Davao 22:15 06:55+1 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – Shanghai 14:40 00:05+1 Daily (via Manila)

Shanghai – Davao 00:55 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Singapore 14:40 23:55 Daily (via Manila)

17:55 23:25 M/Tu/W/F(via Cebu)

Singapore – Davao 00:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

00:20 06:00Tu/W/Th/Sa/Su (via Cebu)

Davao – Taipei 17:55 22:10 M/W/F (viaCebu)

Taipei – Davao 22:55 06:00+1 Mo/We/Fr (via Cebu)

* Davao – Taipei – Davao (via Cebu) effective Dec. 14, 2007 until further notice

ASIAN SPIRIT

Davao – Palau 11:30 14:00 Wednesday

Palau – Davao 09:40 10:15 Wednesday

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Davao – Singapore 15:15 18:55 Mo/Tu/Th/Sa

13:35 18:55 We/Fr/Su (via Cebu)

Singapore – Davao 09:05 12:55 We/Fr/Su

09:05 14:35 Mo/TuTh/Sa(via Cebu)

SRIWIJAYA AIR

Davao – Manado 10:45 11:50 Monday

Manado – Davao 08:55 10:00 Monday

source: http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/localgov...dule.aspx?id=1 (http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/localgovernment/schedule.aspx?id=1)

courtesy of jhunix

Flight Schedule
Davao City Flight Schedules

CARRIER DESTINATION ETA ETD

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES

Davao – Manila 07:30 09:30 Daily

09:50 11:50 Daily *

13:30 15:30 Daily

15:45 17:45 Daily

19:30 21:30 Daily

21:05 23:05 Daily

* To operate effective Dec. 1, 2007

Manila – Davao 04:30 06:30 Daily

07:00 09:00 Daily *

10:30 12:30 Daily

13:05 15:05 Daily

16:30 18:30 Daily

18:25 20:25 Daily

* To operate effective Dec. 1, 2007

AIR PHILIPPINES

Davao – Manila 09:40 11:20 Daily

19:15 20:55 Daily

Manila – Davao 07:30 09:10 Daily

14:00 15:40 Daily



Davao – Cebu 11:40 12:35 Daily

16:15 17:10 Daily

Cebu – Davao 09:55 10:50 Daily

17:40 18:35 Daily

CEBU PACIFIC

Direct Flights:

Davao – Manila 07:25 09:10 Daily

12:30 14:15 Daily

14:40 16:25 Daily

18:10 19:55 Daily

21:40 23:25 Daily

Manila – Davao 05:10 06:55 Daily

10:15 12:00 Daily

12:25 14:10 Daily

15:55 17:40 Daily

19:25 21:10 Daily

Davao – Cebu 06:30 07:25 Daily

11:35 12:30 Daily

17:55 18:50 M/Tu/W/F

20:55 21:50 Th/Su

Cebu – Davao 05:05 06:00 Daily

10:10 11:05 Daily

16:30 17:25 M/Tu/W/F

19:30 20:25 Th/Su

Davao – Iloilo 06:15 07:20 Tu/Th/Sa

Iloilo – Davao 07:50 08:55 Tu/Th/Sa

* Davao – Iloilo – Davao effective May 8, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Zamboanga 09:10 10:05 Mo/We/Sa/Su

Zamboanga – Davao 07:45 08:40 Mo/We/Sa/Su

Davao – Hong Kong 20:40 23:30 M/W/F/Sa

17:55 23:50 M/Tu/W/F


Hong Kong – Davao 00:15 03:05 Tu/Th/Sa/Su

00:35 06:00 M/Tu/W/Th/F/Sa

* Davao – Hongkong – Davao effective May 9, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Singapore 20:00 23:15 Tu/Th/Su

17:55 23:25 M/Tu/W/F

Singapore – Davao 23:59 03:15+1 Tu/Th/Su

00:20 06:00Tu/W/Th/Sa/Su

* Davao – Singapore – Davao effective May 8, 2008 until further notice

Davao – Taipei 17:55 22:10 M/W/F

Taipei – Davao 22:55 06:00+1 M/W/F

* Davao – Taipei – Davao effective Dec. 14, 2007 until further notice


Connecting Flights:

Davao – Bacolod 06:30 08:30 Daily (via Cebu)

12:30 16:50 Daily (via Manila)

Bacolod – Davao 09:00 11:05 Daily (via Cebu)

06:20 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

10:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Butuan 07:25 12:35 Daily (via Manila)

Butuan – Davao 13:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Cagayan de Oro 07:25 13:20 Daily (via Manila)

12:30 16:30 Daily (via Manila)

06:30 13:50 Tu/Th/Sa (via Cebu)

Cagayan de Oro – Davao 06:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

13:50 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

14:20 17:25 Tuesday (via Cebu)

Davao – Clark 06:30 11:35 M/W/F (via Cebu)

Clark – Davao 12:05 17:25 M/W/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Cotabato 07:25 13:20 M/W/F/Sa (via Manila)

Cotabato – Davao 13:50 21:10 M/W/F/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – General Santos 07:25 13:55 Daily (via Manila)

General Santos – Davao 14:25 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Iloilo 06:30 08:35 Daily (via Cebu)

12:30 20:10 Daily (via Manila)

Iloilo – Davao 09:05 11:05 Daily (via Cebu)

06:35 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

10:05 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Kalibo 12:30 16:10 Daily (via Manila)

06:30 13:50 M/W/F/Su (viaCebu)

Kalibo – Davao 10:50 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

16:40 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

14:20 17:25 Mo/W/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Laoag 07:25 12:55 M/W/Sa (via Manila)

Laoag – Davao 13:25 17:40 M/W/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – Legaspi 07:25 13:40 Daily (via Manila)

Legaspi – Davao 14:10 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Puerto Princesa 06:30 11:30 Tu/Th/Sa (via Cebu)

Puerto Princesa – Davao 12:00 17:25 Tuesday (via Cebu)

Davao – Roxas 07:25 12:50 Tu/Th/F/Su(viaManila)

Roxas – Davao 13:20 17:40 Tu/Th/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Tacloban 12:30 17:05 Daily (via Manila)

Tacloban – Davao 06:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

12:20 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Tagbilaran 07:25 13:30 Daily (via Manila)

Tagbilaran – Davao 14:00 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

07:30 17:40 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Zamboanga 06:30 10:05 Tu/Th/F (via Cebu)

Zamboanga – Davao 07:45 11:05 Tu/Th/F (via Cebu)

Davao – Dipolog 07:25 13:10 Tu/Th/Su (via Manila)

Dipolog – Davao 13:40 21:10 Tu/Th/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Dumaguete 07:25 15:25 Daily (via Manila)

Dumaguete – Davao 08:45 17:40 Tu/Th/Sa/Su(via Manila)

15:55 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Bangkok 14:40 00:20+1 Daily (via Manila)

Bangkok – Davao 01:10 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Canton 12:30 21:30 M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Canton – Davao 22:15 06:55+1 M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Hong Kong 07:25 18:40 Daily (via Manila)

12:30 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

17:55 23:50 M/Tu/W/F(via Cebu)

Hong Kong – Davao 11:00 21:10 Daily (via Manila)

00:35 06:00 M/Tu/W/Th/F/Sa (via Cebu)

Davao – Jakarta 14:40 23:45 M/W/F (via Manila)

Jakarta – Davao 00:30 12:00 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Davao–Kuala Lumpur14:40 00:35+1 Tu/Th/Sa/Su (via Manila)

Kuala Lumpur–Davao 01:20 12:00M/W/F/Su (via Manila)

Davao – Macau 14:40 21:30 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Macau – Davao 22:15 06:55+1 Tu/Th/Sa (via Manila)

Davao – Shanghai 14:40 00:05+1 Daily (via Manila)

Shanghai – Davao 00:55 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

Davao – Singapore 14:40 23:55 Daily (via Manila)

17:55 23:25 M/Tu/W/F(via Cebu)

Singapore – Davao 00:40 12:00 Daily (via Manila)

00:20 06:00Tu/W/Th/Sa/Su (via Cebu)

Davao – Taipei 17:55 22:10 M/W/F (viaCebu)

Taipei – Davao 22:55 06:00+1 Mo/We/Fr (via Cebu)

* Davao – Taipei – Davao (via Cebu) effective Dec. 14, 2007 until further notice

ASIAN SPIRIT

Davao – Palau 11:30 14:00 Wednesday

Palau – Davao 09:40 10:15 Wednesday

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Davao – Singapore 15:15 18:55 Mo/Tu/Th/Sa

13:35 18:55 We/Fr/Su (via Cebu)

Singapore – Davao 09:05 12:55 We/Fr/Su

09:05 14:35 Mo/TuTh/Sa(via Cebu)

SRIWIJAYA AIR

Davao – Manado 10:45 11:50 Monday

Manado – Davao 08:55 10:00 Monday

source: http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/localgov...dule.aspx?id=1 (http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/localgovernment/schedule.aspx?id=1)

courtesy of jhunix
no wonder davao airport is so busy!

Thanks for the statistical data, Gors, and for the flight data, Sir Ibex. :okay:

Maayong Buntag, Mindanao! :banana: Flex! :banana: Flex! :banana: Flex!

secret unveiled... CAMP SABROS. mindanao can now enjoy at least some of what tagaytay can offer.
located at the border mountains of digos and davao cities... kapatagan, davao del sur. at the foot of mt. apo.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/cable1.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/cable2.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/cable3.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/cable4.jpg


pictures are net finds.

:)

Mindanao lawmakers unite, organize single bloc
By Carlo P. Mallo

COMPRISING almost one fourth of the 240-strong House of Representatives, the so-called Mindanao bloc will ensure that the voice of Mindanao will finally be heard in the halls of Congress.

Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab said Monday that over 59 congressmen from Mindanao have agreed to form the bloc.

"All congressman from Mindanao, and even those who are party-list representatives that come from Mindanao are all part of the bloc," Ungab said.

He said the Mindanao bloc has agreed to let go of partisan politics when the issue of Mindanao is at hand.

"If it is for the good of Mindanao, then we fully support it," Ungab said. "There is no politics, no administration or opposition."

Ungab believes that there is still much work to be done to really advance the Mindanao agenda.

"Layo ra gyud ta sa Manila (We are definitely lagging behind Metro Manila)" he said.

Metro Manila, according to Ungab, continues to get the major portion of the budget pie.

"It is not even Luzon, as some Luzon provinces do not get the same treatment as Manila does," Ungab said.

Ungab is confident that with the Mindanao bloc, it would not be impossible for the Halls of Congress to finally hear the voice of Mindanao.

One agenda that Mindanao bloc will be pushing for, according to Ungab, is the Mindanao Railroad Project.

^^^^Ay its about Time!

Mindanao lawmakers unite, organize single bloc
By Carlo P. Mallo

COMPRISING almost one fourth of the 240-strong House of Representatives, the so-called Mindanao bloc will ensure that the voice of Mindanao will finally be heard in the halls of Congress.

Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab said Monday that over 59 congressmen from Mindanao have agreed to form the bloc.

"All congressman from Mindanao, and even those who are party-list representatives that come from Mindanao are all part of the bloc," Ungab said.

He said the Mindanao bloc has agreed to let go of partisan politics when the issue of Mindanao is at hand.

"If it is for the good of Mindanao, then we fully support it," Ungab said. "There is no politics, no administration or opposition."

Ungab believes that there is still much work to be done to really advance the Mindanao agenda.

"Layo ra gyud ta sa Manila (We are definitely lagging behind Metro Manila)" he said.

Metro Manila, according to Ungab, continues to get the major portion of the budget pie.

"It is not even Luzon, as some Luzon provinces do not get the same treatment as Manila does," Ungab said.

Ungab is confident that with the Mindanao bloc, it would not be impossible for the Halls of Congress to finally hear the voice of Mindanao.

One agenda that Mindanao bloc will be pushing for, according to Ungab, is the Mindanao Railroad Project.
This is the one that I'm really hungry for...

Below is a list of some of the Airports in Mindanao. It has some details about each airport. Some airports were not included because I didn't find any photos of it in the web. If you have any photos please post it or give me the URL. Please also include details about passenger or cargo movement. I will revise the list. :) :)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/AirportsinMindanao.jpg

nice one haikaimo..:cheers:

in terms of design ng terminal i like zamboanga. 2nd is davao. 3rd dipolog.

the best tlaga ang zamboanga airport..its a combination kasi of Lumad and Islamic Architecture which is truly reflective of the Mindanaoan Culture.

ANg ganda pala ng airport ng Zamboanga! :okay:

Dipolog's airport remind's me of the old Davao International airport, which is Maranao-inspired. Tama ba? Maranao-inspired ba ung architecture?

I also Like the Zamboanga Airport. ei! all airports here in Mindanao are beautiful!

no doubt about it...

Below is a list of some of the Airports in Mindanao. It has some details about each airport. Some airports were not included because I didn't find any photos of it in the web. If you have any photos please post it or give me the URL. Please also include details about passenger or cargo movement. I will revise the list. :) :)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/AirportsinMindanao.jpg

Compact summary... Good job!

Anyway, here is a bigger picture of the Davao International Airport (photo taken from nearby Duty Free Shop)

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/6748/photo392fj9.jpg

now i know, may duty free pala sa Davao IA? since when?

ANg ganda pala ng airport ng Zamboanga! :okay:

Dipolog's airport remind's me of the old Davao International airport, which is Maranao-inspired. Tama ba? Maranao-inspired ba ung architecture?

at the first glance..u can say, that it has some influences of Maranao..

pero, come to thing of it? bakit naman mg Mamaranao design sila..eh malayo kaya sila sa mga maranao..and wala ni anomang bahid ang tradition nila with that of Maranao..

now i know, may duty free pala sa Davao IA? since when?

Yes Sir Zoro.

There are three duty free outlets.

One in the Arrival area and another one in the Pre-departure area of the international wing.

The other one, which is the biggest outlet, is located at the carpark. Ito yung guest outlet nila where locals can shop kahit hindi galing sa abroad.

Here...

http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/4250/photo354fi0.jpg

ah..so meaning..in order for an airport to have duty freeshops on it..kailangan may international flight..am i right?

Technically, pwedeng hindi.

Pero logically, dapat. Because the primary target market of duty free shops are foreigners and expatriates. It will be financially difficult for a duty free shop to thrive in a locality na walang actual and regular international flights. Unless nalang kung maraming dollars to spare ang mga locals na syang bubuhay sa duty free shop kahit walang international flights.

here in zamboanga, we have one duty free here..it is in Zamboaga Economic Zone..

Wow! So dapat nga talaga na only cities with regular international flights should host duty free shops. I guess that confirms the logic that I earlier presented.

Good news for both Davao and Zamboanga, Mindanao's truly international cities. :)

^

Amen to that!! :applause:

^

Amen to that!! :applause:

Thanks for the standing ovulation :D kuya vic! lols

^

I'm just being objective.. :)

here in zamboanga, we have one duty free here..it is in Zamboaga Economic Zone..

you mean Duty Free Philippines? or ibang duty free? DFP zamboanga is not listed kasi sa website nila

http://www.dfp.com.ph/modules/content/index.php?id=10

here are the branches

1. Ninoy Aquino International Airport Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Paranaque City 1700
ARRIVAL OUTLET TERMINAL I
ARRIVAL OUTLET TERMINAL II

DEPARTURE OUTLET TERMINAL I
DEPARTURE OUTLET TERMINAL II

2.Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Lapu-Lapu City
3.Duty Free Philippines Cebu Water Front
4.Duty Free Philippines Davao

yung duty free sa davao, since as early as 1995 pa yun (i remember buying shoes there noon eh) but it closed in the early 2000s (sabay sa ibang DFP outlets sa pinas kasi at that time dapat sa airport ata, i forgot the exact reason)

tapos nag reopen lang last year

;17577987']you mean Duty Free Philippines? or ibang duty free? DFP zamboanga is not listed kasi sa website nila

http://www.dfp.com.ph/modules/content/index.php?id=10

here are the branches

1. Ninoy Aquino International Airport Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Paranaque City 1700
ARRIVAL OUTLET TERMINAL I
ARRIVAL OUTLET TERMINAL II

DEPARTURE OUTLET TERMINAL I
DEPARTURE OUTLET TERMINAL II

2.Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Lapu-Lapu City
3.Duty Free Philippines Cebu Water Front
4.Duty Free Philippines Davao

yung duty free sa davao, since as early as 1995 pa yun (i remember buying shoes there noon eh) but it closed in the early 2000s (sabay sa ibang DFP outlets sa pinas kasi at that time dapat sa airport ata, i forgot the exact reason)

tapos nag reopen lang last year

nalugi bec of the 1997 Asian financial crisis:)

^^ ganun ba yun? afaik kasi it was a law banning outlets outside the airport, kaya pati yung mga DFP sa mga hotel sa manila nag close din

;17577987']you mean Duty Free Philippines? or ibang duty free? DFP zamboanga is not listed kasi sa website nila

http://www.dfp.com.ph/modules/content/index.php?id=10

here are the branches

1. Ninoy Aquino International Airport Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Paranaque City 1700
ARRIVAL OUTLET TERMINAL I
ARRIVAL OUTLET TERMINAL II

DEPARTURE OUTLET TERMINAL I
DEPARTURE OUTLET TERMINAL II

2.Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Lapu-Lapu City
3.Duty Free Philippines Cebu Water Front
4.Duty Free Philippines Davao

yung duty free sa davao, since as early as 1995 pa yun (i remember buying shoes there noon eh) but it closed in the early 2000s (sabay sa ibang DFP outlets sa pinas kasi at that time dapat sa airport ata, i forgot the exact reason)

tapos nag reopen lang last year

although may Duty Free dito..its non-operational..kasi it is waiting for a ban to be lifted..and that ban bars them to operate in the ecozone..

by the way, the company that operates a duty free shop here is Peninsula Duty Free Corporation..

http://www.zambofreeport.com.ph/Investors.htm

by the way, the company that operates a duty free shop here is Peninsula Duty Free Corporation..

http://www.zambofreeport.com.ph/Investors.htm

Ngayon ko lang nalaman na may zambofreeport pala. Thanks for the link.

http://www.zambofreeport.com.ph/images/ZFASite/imgArea.jpg

http://www.zambofreeport.com.ph/images/ZFASite/imgEntranceGate.jpg

http://www.zambofreeport.com.ph/images/ZFASite/admin1.jpg

The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority, otherwise known by its corporate name as ZamboEcozone Authority and Freeport / Zamboanga Freeport Authority(ZFA), was created by virtue of Republic Act 7903 authored by former Congresswoman Maria Clara L. Lobregat. It was enacted into law on February 23, 1995 and made operational a year later with the appointment of a Chairman and Administrator and the members of the Board by former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Zamboanga Freeport Authority was conceptualized to be an economic hub that is designed to generate local economic activities that will serve as a springboard for the promotion of trade, investments, and ecology tourism not only in Zamboanga City but also throughout the region.

By nature of its operation, Zamboanga Freeport Authority is unique being both an Economic Zone and Freeport and is in fact the only freeport in Visayas and Mindanao.

The prospects for legitimate domestic and foreign investors to set up shop in the Zamboanga Freeport where they can be free from customs tax, duties and tariff obligations, among an array of fiscal incentives like one peso per square meter per month on lease rates at the 1st Development Site; PhP 3,000.00 per hectare per year at the 2nd Development Site; Income Tax Holiday for four years extendible to a maximum of eight years; Net Operating Loss Carry Over tax scheme; 5% on Gross Income Earned ;guaranteed lease period of 50 years renewable for another 25 years, and foreign investors investing US$ 150,000.00 or more will be granted permanent residential status, along with their spouses, dependents and unmarried children below 21 years of age , foreign executives and technicians with highly specialized skills are issued working visas, renewable every two years; and 100% foreign ownership of business is definitely an attractive package to reckon with.
ZamboEcozone

Presently, the Zamboanga Freeport Authority maintains a 4-storey office building in San Ramon manned by a complement of 80 technical staff tasked to oversee the area's day-to-day operations and map out its long-termed development plan.

The Zamboanga Freeport Authority has two development site. The first Development Site consists of the 1st and 2nd Industrial Park. The 64.56-hectare San Ramon development site known as the First Industrial Park.

The Second Development Site on the other hand, which is located in the hinterlands of barangays Pamucutan and La Paz, consist of 15,391 hectares of logged-over forest.

The 64.56-hectare First Industrial Park is suitable for commercial and service-oriented projects, institutional complexes and light to medium enterprises.

Inside the First Industrial park is a Nature Park that boasts of two swimming pools, canteen, shower rooms and picnic huts which can accommodate as many as 500-700 guests. A staff house with a beautiful landscape in the facade is available for lease for seminars, conferences, retreats may be availed as a vacation home for families and friends who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Investor's houses , Standard Manufacturing Building and Storage building were also constructed for lease by interested locators.

The Zamboanga Freeport Authority has come up with another priority project for the First Industrial Park. This project is in line with the President's vision of a more globally competitive Philippines. Priority is given to Retirement Village and Wellness Center, Information Technology (IT) with the availability of IT services such as Data Transcription, Medical Transcription, Litigation Support, Publishing Services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Data Conversion, Graphics Animation, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), Hispanic Call Centers, and Software Development and Maintenance.

On the other hand, the 664-hectare seafront property of the Authority which serves as the site for the Second Industrial Park is the proposed site for the construction of a world-class International Seaport Complex. The complex will have a main area of 20 hectares. Other projects envision`ed for the seaport site include an 18-hole golf course, hotel, recreational facilities, restaurants, marina and theme parks.

The Second Development Site of the Zamboanga Freeport Authority is a 15,000-hectare logged-over area in upper La Paz and Pamucutan. It is ideal for agro-forestry, high-end residential projects, information technology ventures and a university village.

The Baguio-like climate is highly viable for eco-tourism. Visitors have raved about the once-in-a-lifetime experience of trekking in the slopes of the rugged terrain accompanied by well-trained members of Team Kaguang, the Authority's mountaineering club. Guests vowed to come back for the exhilarating experience once more.

The concept of a retirement center in the hinterlands is now in the drawing boards. The identified 40-hectare property for this project nestled among the rolling hills has a magnificent view of the ocean and has a serene and calming effect most idyllic for a retirement community complete with hospital facility, fitness center, outdoor entertainment, sports and recreational center, spas and salons.

Today, the Zamboanga Freeport Authority under the helm of Chairman and Administrator Georgina Pantaleon Yu has 20 registered locators. First to break ground as a Zamboanga Freeport locator in June 1997 was Faberco Holdings, Inc., a joint Filipino-Indian venture with three subsidiary companies that deal with equipment reconditioning and multi-products distribution system




Indeed, the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone has taken off on a dawdling start but it has slowly but surely increased its pace with the entry of local and foreign investors that believe in this project and what it stands for. The availability of jobs has definitely given the Zamboangueños something to look forward to and has given them hope for a better tomorrow. With Zamboanga Freeport leading the way, the more than 600,000-resident population of the city and the rest of Mindanao can all look forward to share in the bountiful social and economic rewards that it can offer.

nalugi bec of the 1997 Asian financial crisis:)


Due to changing of the guards, and it's more politics than anything.

at the first glance..u can say, that it has some influences of Maranao..

pero, come to thing of it? bakit naman mg Mamaranao design sila..eh malayo kaya sila sa mga maranao..and wala ni anomang bahid ang tradition nila with that of Maranao..

Hmmm... siguro Moro or Malayan ang design... anyway magkakahawig naman ang mga yan with Maranao diba? Or perhaps Zamboangueno architecture? Meron ba nun? I hope @Arch Waway will lend us some insights on this. :)

Charter Change and Federalism Top Priorities?

January 9th, 2008 at 6:05 am (General, National Politics)

According to Presidential adviser Jesus Dureza, possible charter change and shift to federalism are top priorities of the Arroyo administration. According to Dureza, these will boost the peace talks between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). According to Dureza, the initiatives will help alleviate the problems of Mindanao as it will pave the way for Muslims to have their own government, albeit, still within the Philippine jurisdiction.

While the move might help in solving the problem in ARMM (might being the operative word), a charter change and a shift to federalism are complicated moves that have countless implications and repercussions, not to mention oppositions. I am all for federalism that will allow Visayas and Mindanao to develop and progress rapidly. However, a charter change is encompassing with many possibilities that may more (or less) problems.

A charter change and a shift to federalism are definitely important matters that should be given ample though, discussion and budget with only the country’s needs in mind. Needless to say, it will be a long and very political drama that will be full of grandstanding and self-serving lobbying and decision-making.

Hmmm... siguro Moro or Malayan ang design... anyway magkakahawig naman ang mga yan with Maranao diba? Or perhaps Zamboangueno architecture? Meron ba nun? I hope @Arch Waway will lend us some insights on this. :)

zAMBOAngueño Architecture...:lol::lol::lol::lol:

nice one..

i suggest that let us have charter change after 2010, beacause that charter change might be abuse by some who are in powers..like it would be used to extend Gloria's term..

^^
In my opinion, the prevailing social, economic, and political conditions in the Philippines will persist regardless of what form of government we adopt, for as long as the people running the government are the same bunch of maggots.

Kung meron man dapat palitan, yung mga taong nagpapatakbo ng gobyerno and not the system of goverment itself.

its like this, the attitudes of the maggots in the bureaucracy is worsen because of the present structure..if we can just change a fraction of it, at least the abuses of those corrupt government officials will be lessen..

Arroyo urged to sign civil aviation bill (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/01102008/nation04.html)
By Recto Mercene
Reporter

THE officer in charge of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) on Wednesday urged President Arroyo to sign a bill that creates the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap), giving autonomy to the aviation body so funds for a full radar coverage of the country could be made available.

Daniel Dimagiba, ATO OIC, aired the appeal a month after he was appointed to his present post that was vacated by former Assistant Secretary for Air Transportation Nilo Jatico.

“If President Arroyo signs the bill, the Caap would have the funds needed to put up additional long-range radars to beef up existing ones,” Dimagiba said.

At present, the country’s long-range radar is in Tagaytay City. It is supported by terminal, or medium- range radars, located in Subic, Clark, Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Cebu, Dimagiba said.

The long-range radar has a reach of 200 miles while a terminal radar can “see” only up to 60 miles.

He added that long-range radar takes control of aircraft entering the country’s area of responsibility and hands over these aircraft to respective terminal radars that would eventually guide the airplanes to their destination airports.

A terminal radar handles airplanes on final approach.

Owing to lack of funds, the Tagaytay radar is still being used, although its operational life of 20 years has elapsed. A lot of funds are being spent to maintain the radar owing to the frequent repairs and upgrading it needs.

It is now being upgraded and would be back in operation this month.

Dimagiba said that funding is needed to set up long-range radar in Laoag City, for aircraft entering the northern portion of the country and another one in Palawan, for those airplanes coming from the west.

The Tagaytay radar handles aircraft coming from the east, such as Guam, Hawaii, the Micronesian territories and the United States.

A fourth long-range radar is envisioned in Davao City or General Santos City to take care of aircraft entering or leaving in the south.

The Caap would have at its disposal about P3 billion in yearly income and a small portion of this could be set aside to finance the acquisition of long-range radars.

Dimagiba said radar coverage of the whole country remains imperative because the planned Communication, Navigation, Surveillance-Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) system would not be on line until 2013.

The CNS-ATM is a worldwide system that would connect the Philippines to the rest of the world’s aviation system in a single, seamless operation, utilizing dozens of orbiting satellites for communication and traffic control.

^^
In my opinion, the prevailing social, economic, and political conditions in the Philippines will persist regardless of what form of government we adopt, for as long as the people running the government are the same bunch of maggots.

Kung meron man dapat palitan, yung mga taong nagpapatakbo ng gobyerno and not the system of goverment itself.

in Federalism we from Mindanao have a better chance, kung kurakot sa taas kurakot pa rin sa atin, mas maiigi na 1 na lang kurakot:lol:

seriously it's so obvious naman devt. in Mindanao only come in trickles , just take the case of our bridge we BEG na umpisahan na ..huwaT??? it's a VITAL infra at inuna pa ang ibang projects. Let's turn the table around and let them BEG of our natural resources and agri products?

MINDANAWORLD
Business leaders’ New Year wishes for Mindanao

By Joji Ilagan- Bian
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:55am (Mla time) 01/10/2008

MANILA, Philippines--Mindanao posted robust growth in investment in the first half of last year -- a record high of 133.8 percent -- primarily in the power sector.

It was the Southern Mindanao region that accounted for the biggest chunk of the investment pie, at P2.8 billion, followed by Phividec Industrial Estate in Northern Mindanao at P1.194 billion.

The private sector contributed significantly to these remarkable increases. Local businessmen sank in a whooping 97 percent, or P3.340 billion worth of investments, which were registered with the Board of Investments.

This showed the “upbeat faith and confidence” that the locals hold for the Mindanao economy. This I believe serves as a strong argument for other investors, local and foreign, that it is wise to put their money in Mindanao -- in fact, many of us may boldly say, “For every peso you invest in Mindanao, you get 10 times the value of your money!”

I asked four of Mindanao’s dynamic business leaders about their thoughts on the island for the year to come.

• Elene Haw (EH) is the youngest vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for Mindanao which, in turn, is made up of over 28 active chambers;

• Sotero Trinidad (ROY) is chairman of the Federation of Business Chambers of Mindanao;

• Simeon Marfori (SIM) is a young businessman and is the newly elected president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce; and,

• Jaime Rivera (JR) is the executive director of the Basilan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

Will 2008 be a better year for Mindanao small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs)?

EH: This is a better year for those engaged in agribusinesses and food production as food is something that will always have market demand ... population is always increasing, so is the market size. With the high cost of medication and services, there is now a demand for quality and organic food as people become more health conscious.

ROY: I am optimistic that 2008 would be a better year for business, particularly SMEs in Mindanao, because the government will now pursue vigorously the final negotiations with the MILF/MNLF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front/Moro National Liberation Front) ... therefore, more infrastructure projects will have to be (undertaken) to entice the people to favor the terms and conditions being ironed out for the referendum. I can also see (the increase of) mining concessionaires in Mindanao.

SIM: Overall, yes I think so. In fact all our economic indicators point to this. For the Greater Davao City region, it will be a sure thing. Our agriculture is up, so is tourism. And lately, ICT (information and communications technology) through BPO (business process outsourcing) companies have been coming in in a bigger way.

JR: All indications point to a golden harvest in 2008. The volatile political year that was, is now behind us. And since no elections are anywhere in the immediate horizon, business worries about political uncertainties have obviously quieted. We await to reap the windfall off the 7+ percent growth we’ve been experiencing as a nation in the second half of the year.

New Year’s resolutions for Mindanao

EH: Better private sector partnership with LGUs [local government units] and the national government for a more efficient and productive implementation of social, economic and developmental projects ... programs that will have long term impact instead of projects that are short-lived and used for politicking purposes; transparency and accountability among the local government units and national government offices; qualified educators in the public school system so that graduates will have better mastery of Mathematics, Science and English.

ROI: For the government to resolve the issue on ancestral domain claimed by the MILF/MNLF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front / Moro National Liberation Front] panel through a just and credible referendum. We should take note that even the Islamic City of Marawi did not join the ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]. The government should create a special technical committee to study the possibility of utilizing deuterium, or heavy hydrogen water, reportedly found in the Mindanao Deep. As per scientific findings, deuterium is much, much better than oil in producing energy at a very low cost.

[Another resolution is] to create an ad hoc committee to reevaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

SIM: The power supply for Davao City remains uncertain and must be secured; closer partnerships between the private sector and government as well as a stronger voice for business in policy formulation; and, more unity and alignment within the business sector, for instance between the various industry groups and business chambers.

JR: Strictly follow the law, pay the correct taxes and quit politics to concentrate on business.

What is your message for the New Year?

EH: Let us promote the “Bayanihan” system and “Magkaisa” mentality among us in a positive and progressive way. For government officials, lesser politicking and more sincere developmental programs that will help enrich the lives of their constituents through better access to sustainable business, livelihood and job opportunities. For local chambers of commerce, (greater) involvement in advocacies for local communities, and better working relationship with their respective LGUs, and vigilance against politicking both within and outside their organizations.

ROY: I could not have the conscience to wish those who have less in life a Merry Christmas because, (it would be) mental dishonesty. I could not have the sincerity to greet them a Happy New Year, knowing full well that the poverty they are in cannot be overturned overnight. But I can always pray for them, especially those who wallow in extreme misery, (urging them) not to lose hope as long as they have the will to fight.

SIM: There is so much to do, so much potential to tap, so much talent, not just in Davao City, but throughout the whole country. Yet we have so little time. I just hope that, as we reach out to one another, we can set aside our differences if just for a moment, to give the other a chance. I want to work with everyone willing to work with me. As long as we share the same goals, this for me is the only way to move forward. I believe it is doable. We can make things happen faster with better results if we work together.

JR: When you believe, then you will never lose faith in what you can do. Knowing that you can do it makes challenges all that much easier to hurdle. And by always seeking to be better, (this) will underscore our sustained drive to improve our city, our province, our region, our Mindanao.

Joji Ilagan-Bian is an advocate for the development of the island. She is chairperson of Joji Ilagan Foundation, Philippine Call Centers Alliance, and Mindanaeso Tech Voc Schools Association. She is also a representative to the Export Development Council. Email comments to jojibian2@yahoo.com.

mindanao for independence movement...apil ko ana...waaahh

http://ic.pressflex.com/576.pressflex.net/images/masthead.jpg?71dcdab1aab971818998c2f6515cfd5a

http://ic.pressflex.com/576.pressflex.net/images//2228.photo.jpg

Hong Kong retains its lead spot in this year’s Asian Cities of the Future Rankings but Singapore is in hot pursuit and the gap is narrowing. Charles Piggott analyses the results.

Hong Kong has maintained a narrow lead over Singapore in this year’s Asian Cities of the Future competition. The former UK crown colony demonstrated high levels of FDI, strong economic potential, falling unemployment and a high standard of living.

However, its rival, the island nation of Singapore, is fast catching up and this year’s study shows just how far the gap has narrowed: Hong Kong scored a total of 261.89 points while Singapore scored 260.97, representing a lead of just one third of a percentage point.

The ranking shows Singapore ahead of Hong Kong for human resources, infrastructure, international investment promotion and overall business friendliness. Lawrence Yeo, CEO of Singapore-based international consultancy firm AsiaBIZ Strategy and one of fDi magazine’s Locations of the Future judges, says: “I think Hong Kong’s lead this year is justified. However, the point is that the lead gap has narrowed tremendously. Singapore might just win in the next series if Hong Kong does not improve by then.”

Of Asia’s major cities, Tokyo scores top for infrastructure, while Melbourne comes out top for quality of life. Alor Star, the state capital of Kedah in Malaysia, is fDi’s Small Asian City of the Future, scoring well across several categories, including economic potential, cost effectiveness and business friendliness.


METHODOLOGY


fDi’s Locations of the Future competition covers each region once every two years. The next Asian Cities of the Future rankings will be published in 2009.

During the spring and summer of 2007, fDi magazine invited key cities across Asia to answer more than 60 questions in the seven broad categories listed below. fDi’s judges scored each of the 38 cities that responded according the criteria listed (below).

Cities scored up to 10 points for each criterion. The winners in each category are the cities that scored the most points in that category and the overall winner is the city that scored the most points across all seven categories.

Cities were scored by members of fDi’s editorial team and by independent guest judges (see judging panel).


JUDGING PANEL


# #

David Kinnear, President of DDC HRO, a provider of business process outsourcing solutions, in New York

James Ku, Manager at consultancy firm Tractus-Asia Ltd in Shanghai

Anupam Prakash, Asia Pacific leader, global sourcing and business transformation, at HR consultancy firm Hewitt Associates in India

Lawrence Yeo, CEO of international consultancy firm AsiaBIZ Strategy in Singapore


JUDGING CRITERIA


Economic potential

• Percentage of the population under 25

• Adult unemployment level in 2006

• Change in adult unemployment 2004-06

• Average annual earnings of employees in 2006

• Average annual earnings growth 2004-06

• FDI stock per capita at the city level

• FDI stock per capita at the state/province level

• Level of FDI in 2006

• Number of foreign investment deals signed in 2006

• Three most significant inward investment projects

• FDI retention rate


Cost effectiveness

• Town centre office rental costs

• Out-of-town office rental costs

• Factory/industrial premises rental costs

• Warehouse rental costs

• Town centre office purchase costs

• Out-of-town office purchase costs

• Factory/industrial premises purchase costs

• Warehouse purchase costs

• Secretarial salaries

• Entry level manager salaries

• Middle manager salaries

• Senior manager salaries

• Manual worker wages

• Electricity tariffs for business/industrial users

• Water tariffs for business/industrial users

• Gas tariff for business/industrial users

• Unleaded fuel costs

• Diesel fuel costs


Human resources

• Number of university-level educational institutions in the city

• Number of university-level educational institutions in the state/province

• Leading university and research institutions in the city

• Leading university and research institutions in the state/province

• Number of student graduates in 2006

• Percentage of the city population with a university-level degree

• Government-sponsored worker training programmes

• Number of strikes in past three years

• Number of working hours per week


Quality of life

• Best housing areas

• Average residential property purchase price

• Average residential rental costs

• Public health care facilities

• Private health care facilities

• Leading schools

• Leading international schools

• Cultural heritage

• Environmental heritage

• Incidents of crime per 1000 people

• Number of soldiers and police personnel (% of general population)

• Number of foreigners becoming residents in past two years


Infrastructure

• Strategic transport links

• Mobile phone ownership (% of adult population)

• Internet connection speeds (maximum available bandwidth)


Business friendliness

• Basic level of corporate taxation

• Business-related taxes at the city level

• Business-related taxes at the state/province level

• Property transaction tax

• Number of non-local companies in the city

• Number of non-local companies in the state/province

• Number of jobs created by non-local companies in the past year

• Mandatory employer contributions, eg welfare taxes, health care benefits, etc


FDI promotion strategy

• Sectors targeted for inward investment

• Financial support available to investors

• Non-financial investment support available to investors

• Major infrastructure and urban planning projects

• Environmental strategies and grants

• Percentage of GDP allocated to FDI promotion


Nice to see Davao raising the banner of Mindanao in that list. :cheers:

Nice to see Davao raising the banner of Mindanao in that list. :cheers:


hurrah for the only city in Mindanao to be in the top 10 cities in Asia !! :cheers:

^^
Congratulations to Davao! But even more congratulations to Mindanao for being represented in that very exclusive list!

Business

3 RP cities make it to the 'Top 10' Asian cities of the future
01/11/2008 | 08:55 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us


Sun.Star: Foreign investment experts have again noticed Cebu City’s potential for business and ranked it as eighth of the Top 10 Asian Cities of the Future, in a list by the Finance Direct Investment (fDi) magazine of the Financial Times Group.

Only two other Philippine cities, Quezon City and Davao City, made it to the top 10, ranking seventh and 10th place, respectively.

Cebu City also ranked fourth in the list of 10 most cost-effective cities, seventh in the best quality of life category and second in development and promotion, next only to Singapore.

Cebu City, however, was left out in the list of cities in these categories: best infrastructure, most business-friendly, best human resources and best economic potential.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña welcomed the report but said the whole country should improve so that other cities could also fare better in the ranking.

“That’s good news. We cannot be number one if the whole Philippines doesn’t improve," he said.

60 items

The cities of Singapore and Hong Kong grabbed the first and second spots, respectively.

The survey on “Asian Cities of the Future" was conducted by London-based Foreign Direct Investment magazine published by the Financial Times (FT) group in the United Kingdom.

Sixty criteria from cost effectiveness to human resources and infrastructure were used in evaluating over 200 big and small cities all over Asia by a panel of judges, including independent location consultants, corporate professionals and other inward investment experts.

The Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) was made the point organization for the entire Cebu in the survey, the results of which were published in the website of the Invest Asia Pacific.

In a phone interview, CIPC Managing Director Joel Mari Yu said Cebu City’s ranking is a recognition of what the private sector and the government have done to improve the city.

But he believes Cebu City could have fared better if basic infrastructure such as roads, water and power supply were improved.

Weak point

“This is one of the reasons I think the survey results are reliable because in the criteria on infrastructure, Cebu City is nowhere to be found. Relatively, we have good infrastructure but if you compare it with our neighbors like Singapore and Malaysia, makalolooy gyud ta (we look pathetic)," Yu told Sun.Star Cebu.

Although Cebu City has good telecommunications services and has enough buildings and office spaces to accommodate investors, it has to improve infrastructure and address traffic congestion problems, he added.

“Infrastructure is our weakest point. It should be the focus of our programs in improving business environment. Water and power supply should be the main focus and it should be privatized to ensure stability of supply. The roads should be improved to address congestion in the streets," Yu continued.

Cebu City also ranked third in the list of youngest cities and fifth among cities with the lowest secretarial costs.

Among the cities with the lowest middle management salary, Cebu City ranked seventh while Davao and Quezon City ranked second and third, respectively.

Low costs

The city also ranked 10th among cities with the lowest senior management cost. Davao City ranked third while Quezon City ranked fourth in the same category.

In the lowest manual labor cost category, Cebu City ranked fifth, Davao City followed at sixth place and Quezon City ranked seventh.

FDi’s survey on the locations of the future competition covers each region once every two years.

The judges for the 2007-2008 survey are David Kinnear, president of DDC HRO, a provider of business process outsourcing solutions in New York; James Ku, manager at the consultancy firm Tactus-Asia Ltd. in Shanghai.

Anupam Prakash, Asia Pacific leader for global business sourcing and business transformation at the HR consultancy firm Hewitt Associates in India and Lawrence Yeo, CEO of international consultancy firm AsiaBiz Strategy in Singapore, were also judges. - Sun.Star





http://www.gmanews.tv/story/76097/3-RP-cities-make-it-to-the-Top-10-Asian-cities-of-the-future

Mindanao shippers seek revival of trade route with Indonesian city (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0111&122008/shipping01.html)
By VG Cabuag
Reporter

A Mindanao-based shipping association has asked the government to revive a trade route between General Santos City and Bitung, a metropolis on the northern coast of Sulawesi island in Indonesia.

In a statement, the Mindanao Federation of Shippers Association (Minfesa) said that the trade route, once reopened, will boost the competitiveness of products from Mindanao since shipping costs will be cut, eliminating goods’ transshipment, or the process of transferring cargo from one conveyance to the other for reshipment for its final destination.

The said route, the shortest between North Sulawesi and Southern Mindanao under the East Asia Growth Area trade plan, involves sailing time of 18 hours, helping container carriers to reduce costs.

According to Minfesa’s calculations, the cost of shipping from General Santos to North and East Asia and the United States through Kaoshiung, Taiwan, is about half of the cost of shipping from North Sulawesi to these same markets as a result of double handling of cargo and longer sailing time.

The transport costs from North Sulawesi to Singapore and Europe can be negotiated to become competitive compared to shipping fees to these markets from General Santos.

Established in 2003, the route only lasted less than six months owing to a cargo imbalance. Although the average volume of inbound shipments reached 40 to 50 twenty-foot metal containers, outbound cargoes only reached five boxes.

“There were pronouncements by the government to revive the shipping route but there were no serious studies made on the viability of the route like the potential demand of Philippine products in Indonesia and vice-versa,” the group said.

The same statement also said that a regular service from General Santos and port of Bitung seemed to complement each other since the Philippines’ remains capable of serving the North Asia/US market while Indonesia covers Australia/Europe.

Minfesa suggested that the Mindanao Economic Development Council, the Department of Trade and Industry including its trade attachés, and the Maritime Industry Authority should conduct a joint study of Philippine commodities that can be transported to Indonesia.

“In return, the shippers through the Minfesa will also help to aggressively promote the route to Mindanao shippers,” the group said. “Also, marketing strategies have to be formulated and to be aggressively promoted to both Philippine and Indonesian companies for the route to succeed.”

Nice to see Davao raising the banner of Mindanao in that list. :cheers:

but look..all the main island group is represented in the list..grabeh..

mindanao for independence movement...apil ko ana...waaahh


:ohno: Mag FAMINE ang Luzon at Visayas kung matuloy man yan. Kawawa naman! :nuts::lol:

but look..all the main island group is represented in the list..grabeh..

Yup. Mabuti nalang hindi na left out yung Mindanao. This is a very strong indication that Mindanao can compete with the rest of the country despite only getting a meager share of the national budget. Ano nalang kaya kapag na aambunan pa tayo ng mas malaking share.

This is a good indication indeed. :)

I think Mindanao need to act together & fast , may tama si @Farrirah , Mindanao is so blessed w/ natural resoruces , food basket of the Philippines etc.


example na lang sa rice production we can plant rice whole year round but Luzon and Visayas can only plant in a specific season :)

That's why ayaw ng taga Luzon na mahiwalay ang Mindanao...:cheers: Anyway, this decade lang umarangkada mga projects and development ang whole island. We don't want to go back to those years where Mindanao was left in the doldrums in terms of development because of "misconception of war in Mindanao".:cheers:

speaking of war...here's an old historical photo of the 1906 American-Moro War (http://www.philcentral.com/philippinerevolutionandfilamwar.html)...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/another%202/moro.gif

eto pa hogs & other animals from Mindanao can be exported , but other parts of the Phlippines they can't import animals in Mindanao which means to say we are free of FMD

another potential which we can expand not only for the Philppine consumers but in the world market :)

speaking of war...here's an old historical photo of the 1906 American-Moro War (http://www.philcentral.com/philippinerevolutionandfilamwar.html)...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/another%202/moro.gif

did you know that the caliber .45 handgun was invented replacing the standard cal. .38 revolver of the US Army bec of the fierced Mindanoan warriors ?:)

I remembered when Pinatubo erupted, it was Mindanao who supplied all the meat and veggies need of NCR and surrounding areas in Luzon. Ditto in the aftermath of typhoons, floods, natural calamities. :cheers:

^^ and the problem is we always get the " short end of the stick" .

wag nang mag-away...atleast we are seeing that despite the problems...still, there are developments. ok ba?

turning point in gun history pala ang Mindanao...

wag nang mag-away...atleast we are seeing that despite the problems...still, there are developments. ok ba?

Ok peace :nocrook:coach carter @Vhan :) (I noticed on your signature...):)

wag nang mag-away...atleast we are seeing that despite the problems...still, there are developments. ok ba?

Hi Van, WELCOME HERE:cheers::cheers::cheers:

turning point in gun history pala ang Mindanao...

In 1901, the U.S. Army bought about 1000 Luger pistols for troop trials, where they were immediately put to use in field tests. However, the standard .38 Long Colt-chambered M1889 series revolvers of that period were not acquitting themselves well enough for the troops’ liking during campaigns like the Philippine Insurrection and the feeling carried over to the 7.65mm Lugers.5 But in Germany, the Wehrmacht (Armed Forces) liked the Luger pistol, but not the caliber. Military ordnance officers asked for a more powerful round, so in 1902, Luger changed the bottlenecked case to a tapered straight wall design and substituted a larger 9mm-diameter bullet into the new case, creating the 9mm Parabellum round.6 Across the Atlantic the same year, Colt marketed a variation of the Model 1900, the Model 1902 Military, which used a slightly shortened firing pin. The new firing pin acted like a safety, to prevent accidental firing since the pin itself was shorter than the channel it rested in was. Only a solid strike by the pistol’s hammer overcame the inertia of the firing pin to fire a round. While the U.S. Army purchased just a few evaluation samples, the Model 1902 sold very well on the civilian market until production ended in 1929.7

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/background.htm#DEVEL

ganyan ang history ng mga pistols and long arms


in Vietnam War the US are using semi- automatic M-14 no matched by the Vietnamese army's AK 45 then the US invented the M-16 rifle more popularly known as armallite :)

in Vietnam War the US are using semi- automatic M-14 no matched by the Vietnamese army's AK 45 then the US invented the M-16 rifle more popularly known as armallite :)

Elisco Tool Manufacturing Company of the philippines once owned the Armalite brand. That's the reason why we are an M16 rifle country.

did you know that the caliber .45 handgun was invented replacing the standard cal. .38 revolver of the US Army bec of the fierced Mindanoan warriors ?:)

that is true..kasi ang mga Tausug warriors day hindi na daw tinatablan ng cal. .38

Elisco Tool Manufacturing Company of the philippines once owned the Armalite brand. That's the reason why we are an M16 rifle country.

where is that Elisco Tool Manufacturing Company located?

where is that Elisco Tool Manufacturing Company located?

Napindan, Taguig, Metro Manila

is this company, existing up to now?

that is true..kasi ang mga Tausug warriors day hindi na daw tinatablan ng cal. .38

tinatablan naman but they woudn't go down in 1 or 2 bullets so na aabutan ang mga G.I. soldiers ng kanilang mga kris that was the time when the warriors are called " juramentados"