**WARNING!

this is somewhat long, and maybe some of you know it already. while following the ongoings back home especially the series of typhoons that devastated several provinces especially aurora and quezon, i read an article somewhere about this ecozone project that's been blamed for the vast denudation of forests in that region. i thought you guys might be interested on this, and if you have knowledge about it please do share with us :) it looks like it is a very promising project since little development is done in that part of the country. however, if it is indeed the reason for the tragic landslides that killed hundreds of lives recently, then what can i say... it's just so sad.

SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

A bill is currently pending at the House of Representatives that will pave the way for the creation of a Special Economic Zone for the entire province of Aurora. This will spearhead the steady flow of investments not only from Philippine entities, but from international enterprises as well.

Another great opportunity for investors is the Pacific Coast City Ecozone. This Special Economic Zone is a massive project to develop a new coastal city in the provinces of Aurora and Quezon. The development plan involves the construction of an airport, seaport, new roads, resorts, and residential, commercial and industrial areas.

1. What is the Pacific Coast City Ecozone?
The Special Economic Zone and Tourism Estate was created in January 2000 through Proclamation No. 233 by President Joseph Estrada, pursuant to the Special Economic Zones Act of 1995.

The proclamation designates certain areas located in Barangay Umiray, Dingalan, Aurora Province and in Barangay Umiray, Gen. Nakar, Quezon Province. These areas collectively make up the new "Pacific Coast City Ecozone." The entire ecozone area comprises some 30,000 hectares.

Within the framework of the Constitution and the Local Government Code, the ecozone will be developed into a decentralized, self-reliant and self-sustaining agro-industrial, commercial, financial, investment and tourist center with suitable retirement and residential areas.

The ecozone will be provided with transportation, telecommunications and other facilities needed to attract legitimate and productive foreign investments, and generate linkage industries and employment opportunities for the people of the province and neighboring towns and cities.

The ecozone will be managed and operated as a separate customs territory to facilitate the free flow, entry and movement of goods. Foreign citizens and companies owned by non-Filipinos in whatever proportion may set up enterprises in the ecozone either by themselves or in joint venture with Filipinos in any sector of industry, international trade and commerce.


2. What are its 5 Phases of Development?
The Pacific Coastal City Ecozone plan designates five distinct phases of development through the year 2020. At each successive stage, major infrastructure investments in transportation and utility systems will create new real estate development opportunities.

The early phases will create predominantly resort and second home sites, together with potential government, corporate and academic location opportunities.

Later phases will provide a greater variety of development opportunities, including institutional, industrial and commercial land to support the growing resident population.

Phase I (1996-2000)
Independent growth centers opened up in sequence, or simultaneously, based upon improved coastal road access and a new commuter airport.

Development Opportunities
Marina/Resort 300 ha
Residential 400 ha
University 200 ha
Commuter Airport 100 ha


Infrastructure Opportunities:
Coastal access toll road to Infanta
Commuter airport
Flood control
Utility systems
- Power generation & distribution
- Telecommunications
- Water systems, sewage collection & treatment

Phase II (2001-2005)
Expansion of water-oriented resort uses together with growth of support services for year-round residents.

Development Opportunities
Marina/Resort 200 ha
Residential 650 ha
Commercial 150 ha
University 200 ha
Central City 150 ha

Infrastructure Opportunities
Utility system expansion
Port facilities at Dingalan (Phase I)

Phase III (2006-2010)
The city begins to mature as the nature of development diversifies from its earlier resort-oriented origins.

Development Opportunities
Residential 1000 ha
Commercial 200 ha
University 200 ha
Central City 200 ha
Industrial 350 ha

Infrastructure Opportunities
Utility system expansion
Port facilities at Dingalan (Phase I)

Phase IV (2011-2015)
Completion of a road link from Manila through the Sierra Madre mountains provides impetus for expanded growth along the Umiray River Corridor.

Development Opportunities
Residential 1500 ha
Commercial 300 ha
University 200 ha
Central City 300 ha
Industrial 450 ha

Infrastructure Opportunities
Access toll road to Metro Manila
Utility system expansion
Regional airport (Phase I)

Phase V (2016-2020)
Completion of a rail link from Manila to Dingalan Port through the site, together with a new regional airport provide the final links in the regional transportation system.

Development Opportunities
Residential 2000 ha
Commercial 350 ha
Central City 350 ha
Industrial 500 ha

Infrastructure Opportunities:
Commuter and cargo rail link to Metro Manila
Regional Airport expansion
Utility system expansion

More here (http://www.aurora.ph/investment-economic-zone.html)

For more information contact:

Mr. Rafael Perez de Tagle, Jr.
Fil-Estate Properties, Inc.
Manila Tel. [632] 633-6271

source: www.aurora.ph

so if this is done, this will be the pacific end of the extension of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway that leads to the eastern corridor?

that seems to be a good project... but I hope they have prepared for the disaster caused by this development...

Sounds interesting.
I asked my housemates who live in Quezon about this..but unfornately, they know nothing. :sleepy:

Sounds interesting.
I asked my housemates who live in Quezon about this..but unfornately, they know nothing. :sleepy:

sounds interesting indeed. here's an excerpt from an article published on abs-cbnnews.com dated Dec. 9th, 2004:

"...the New Pacific Coast City (NPCC) or the so-called “world-class” metropolis was intended to serve as an attractive alternative to heavily congested Metro Manila and is taking shape in the boundaries of the coastal towns of Dingalan in Aurora and Infanta, Quezon.

The 80,000-hectare area will host industrial cities, a government center, forest and wildlife preserves, residential areas, workers’ city, an educational city, tourism center, a religious center, a movie capital, and an Olympic-style sports center and will also include a ‘Pentaport’ allegedly by government consisting of an airport, seaport, telecommunications port, business port, and ecotourism port all in one site.

[The plan was] contained in a development master plan entitled, ‘The Luzon Seaboard Strategic Scheme and the New Pacific Coast City’ by the Green Square Properties and Resources Inc. and Green Circle Properties and Resources Inc."

click here (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?section=NATIONAL&oid=64764) to read the whole article.

I've heard about this. And like i mentioned in another thread, this is pretty important since a seaport here will make an ideal hub for trading. Very good news:okay:

I've heard about this. And like i mentioned in another thread, this is pretty important since a seaport here will make an ideal hub for trading. Very good news:okay:

ooppss, sorry greyX. i think i missed that post :D

Its alright:) We needed a thread about it, anyways. And you have provided lots of information.

:)

Here are pics of the site for the proposed Pacific Coast City. I went there last November, before the typhoons.

It's a cove so you get to see the hills meet and embrace the ocean, the water is very flat.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pf1d3bbd5d05e645b9c377be664ad65d1/f6150a44.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p79078d740301bf1404ff43a8a1def19f/f6150a42.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p7b23c2ea304e328289b01bbc246c699f/f6150a43.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p681d42f2b36391e16b09414406772a00/f6150a41.jpg

As of now the area is not very developed, so transforming it into a major port is going to be a huge project. You need to pass through stretches of dirt road just to get there.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p01f46ec007c4c8b2999ce4c32ac3c878/f6150e27.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pd00cee21f916ba8508486c168cbf6ecf/f6150f4c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p6655295128c5152026642f51bf9cc063/f615114e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p592e5a50d655613d07ecf36fc103c9c5/f6151147.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p0cca984022f653becb4878aa33635ada/f615114b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pd84225c04d2d94cc9f840c5493b8fc31/f6151144.jpg

ohh. thanks for the pics @JudeD.

I wonder how that area looks like post-typhoon.

i am worried, this project would worsten the environment in that area...

i agree....i don't think they need to kill more environment. Build somewhere else. That area looks quite pretty as is!!! i hope this "proposal" (hope it's still a proposal) gets KILLED!

sounds interesting indeed. here's an excerpt from an article published on abs-cbnnews.com dated Dec. 9th, 2004:

"...the New Pacific Coast City (NPCC) or the so-called “world-class” metropolis was intended to serve as an attractive alternative to heavily congested Metro Manila and is taking shape in the boundaries of the coastal towns of Dingalan in Aurora and Infanta, Quezon.


The 80,000-hectare area will host industrial cities, a government center, forest and wildlife preserves, residential areas, workers’ city, an educational city, tourism center, a religious center, a movie capital, and an Olympic-style sports center and will also include a ‘Pentaport’ allegedly by government consisting of an airport, seaport, telecommunications port, business port, and ecotourism port all in one site.

[The plan was] contained in a development master plan entitled, ‘The Luzon Seaboard Strategic Scheme and the New Pacific Coast City’ by the Green Square Properties and Resources Inc. and Green Circle Properties and Resources Inc."

click here (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?section=NATIONAL&oid=64764) to read the whole article.

well I hope they do manage the forest and wildlife preserve properly...... anyways.. this would be a great project as long as it is managed and planned properly...

i agree as long as ir is managed properly, but how we know about our gov't officials, i don't know....

Maybe what they are planning to build is something that looks like Subic. Wherein there's a port, industrial zones, entertainment venues etc., but still, the forest and wildlife is well preserved like that in Subic.

i am worried, this project would worsten the environment in that area...

but if poeple develop the land, there would be more conservation awareness, like ryan says, like for Subic. Helps the area too with some income.

^Exactly, renell and thomasian is right....Subic is generating lots of investment, therefore revenue for our country. At the same time, it has some of the country's best protected environment (the bay and its surrounding forests). The key is to proper management and development, then it should be a very productive hub for our country at the same time being environmentally friendly (illegal logging in that area has already caused enough damage).

Wow, another ambitious project!
How much is 800,000 hectares in km² if I may ask? Sorry for my ignorance...

I'm not so sure about this but I think, 1 hectare = 10,000 m².
If my calculations are right then it would be 8,000,000 km²

100 hectares = 1 km²
800,000 ha = 8,000 km²

thanks to http://www.easysurf.cc/cnver11.htm for the conversion :D

thanks for that tyronne :), palpak na naman conversion ko :colgate:

thanks for that tyronne :), palpak na naman conversion ko :colgate:
ha ha no worries :) i, too, had to check that site for the conversion :okay:

So this 80,00 ha site is equivalent to 800 km²! Wow, so it will be bigger than Manila.
Can someone tell be the exact size os Clark and Subic inluding the subzones in km²?

i'll give this project a hundred years...with a corrupt government like ours.

^Very true.

I don't think GMA will prioritize this project since it's an Erap baby. heheheh!

Wow, another ambitious project!
How much is 800,000 hectares in km² if I may ask? Sorry for my ignorance...

800,000 hectares = 8,000 square kilometers

Governor eager to see entire Cebu an ecozone
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/june/27/yehey/prov/20070627pro2.html


CEBU CITY: Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu said on Monday that the bid to declare the entire Cebu province a special economic zone, a private-sector initiative which requires an act of Congress, “has the full backing of the people and goverment of Cebu.”

Garcia, who spoke before delegates of the recent 2nd Philippine Investment Conference at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort in Lapu-Lapu City, said the proposed ecozone would be “fully oriented toward the emerging supply-chain network that has been rapidly integrating East Asia and connecting the region with the best of the world.”

The Cebu-wide ecozone is a brainchild of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), which began seriously considering it in 2006 when Francis Monera was elected chamber president.

A CCCI-commissioned study on the benefits of a Cebu ecozone and how to make it autonomous from national bodies is in its final stages, said Monera.

Cebu province supported the hosting of the two-day Euromoney Conference, which brought together to the province high-profile business leaders, policymakers and corporations from all over the world to discuss opportunities for business, trade and investment.

Governor Garcia said Cebu’s public and private sector enjoyed a strong partnership, particularly in tourism and information technology.

Garcia said a “special economic zone status would give us even greater flexibility, in terms of incentives in attractive new investments on this island.”

She said it would also mean being committed to global norms and conventions and global best practices to promote trade in goods, money and ideas.

Monera recalled telling Garcia about the ecozone plan during one of his courtesy visits last year.

”She told me to go ahead with the plan because it was a good idea. She said she wants it to be private sector-led. She also said that the province will be behind us all the way,” he said.

Under the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7918), no taxes, local and national, shall be imposed on business establishments operating within an ecozone.

In lieu of paying taxes, 5 percent of the gross income earned by all enterprises in the zone would be remitted to the national government. From this, a 1-percent share would go to the affected local government, 1 percent to the development fund and 3 percent to the national government.

Monera said a Cebu ecozone would improve the business environment and make it globally competitive.

Several areas of Cebu are already declared ecozones like the Mactan Export Processing Zone 1 and 2, part of Balamban town and the Asiatown IT Park in Cebu City.

Robert Go, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said an ecozone would bring jobs to the countryside.

But he noted that Cebu would have to invest heavily in infrastructure to make it viable—roads, highways, telephone lines and seaports.

”In China, they build freeways in six months. Here in the Philippines, in six years, it’s not done yet. That is something to look at,” he said.

He supported the lobby for Cebu’s ecozone status, saying it would place the island “at the center of an economic storm. Cebu will become the best place to invest in the Philippines.

Ecozone bill lures investors with tax holidays, incentives
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2007/08/02/news/ecozone.bill.lures.investors.with.tax.holidays.incentives.html


AIMED at putting in place a “wide-reaching” employment in Cebu, the economic development zone bill for the province will give investors years-long income tax holidays and 100-percent exemptions on various taxes.

Aside from tax-free operations, certain investors will also enjoy 100 percent exemptions on customs duties, and their purchase of machinery and raw materials subject to “zero” value added tax.

The authority that will be created will be tasked to draw up guidelines or criteria on who will get the incentives, but generally, most new investors registered by the zone administrators would enjoy the benefits.

Also, those who will invest outside the urban centers of highly urbanized areas in Cebu will enjoy more years of income tax holidays.

Exemption

Even the construction of buildings and land improvements by new investors will also be 100 percent exempted from taxes and duties.

The benefits will be on top of the non-fiscal incentives to be given to new businesses if the proposed Cebu Economic Development Zone (Cedz) will be approved.

“The concept and objective is to develop the Cedz into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial and investment center,” read the proposal sponsored by all eight Cebu representatives to the House of Representatives.

The bill is aimed at establishing “investment generation mechanism” and to strengthen the “trading and foreign exchange position of the country.”

An “investment priorities plan (IPP)” will be prepared by the Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority (Cedza) 120 days after the approval of the bill.

The IPP will contain the industries, services or activities with “high comparative advantage or significant competitive edge.”

If the bill is approved, Cedza will be tasked to register investors in the whole of Cebu, including its municipalities and cities.

Registered domestic enterprise in “highly developed areas” in Cebu will be entitled to a six-year income tax holiday. Those located in “less developed areas,” or those producing new products and with large “project cost, equity investments and with sizeable employment generation” will get an eight-year income tax holiday.

<10 years

Furthermore, the proposal states that the tax holidays can be up to 10 years on some conditions.

Companies that will import capital equipment, spare parts, tools and other needs of their investments will be exempted 100 percent from customs and duties.

This exemption, however, will be subject to conditions, such as the imported items are not manufactured domestically and “reasonably needed.”

Earlier, business groups have expressed support for House Bill 1319, which Cebu’s congressmen signed on the first day of session of the new Congress.

The proposal will allow companies wholly owned by foreigners to invest in Cebu, and for foreigners to work in Cebu.

The bill is aimed at empowering the business sector, who will compose majority of the zone authority who will be having a hand in decision-making for Cebu investments. (JPM)

I hope the Government will approve this proposal. This may decentralize Metro Cebu... it's getting too crowded. :ohno:

Indeed. I'm proud of this city.^^

But being an ecozone also meant reduced revenue for the provincial government because of tax breaks being offered on ecozone facilities. Pero siyempre It still depends on Cebu's Economists to judge. Gaano ba ka-under developed yun mga secondary cities sa Cebu compare to Metro Cebu area?

^ But it may give the province more benefits than disadvantages though since the governor herself is fully supporting it and I trust her judgment. Regarding your question, medyo under-developed talaga yung areas outside Metro Cebu. :)

@RavenCute

Hmm… It doesn't necessarily mean lower revenues; though there are tax perks, it will draw more investors which will entail more jobs and opportunities which will help the provincial government in the long run.

^^exactly, tax loses wont matter much now that there are more investors and more jobs to be filled...

what i love most about this though is that this would give some sort of autonomy which Cebu has been dying to have for ages :)

@pIrEnA
Well yeah... to some little extent. :lol:

We would still be obligated to feed that pig. :nuts:

And to think that the congress hasn't approved this yet!

OT:

bai pIrEnA, taga sci-hi ba ka?

yeah.. i'm also wondering why it gets so sloooow for the congress to approve this one when most of the Cebuano political leaders are pushing for it..

OT: @animasola, taga-scihi pud na c pirena.. 1st yr ta den 3rd yr sila, i think na-larga daun tu siya sa new zealand d year after.

^^exactly, tax loses wont matter much now that there are more investors and more jobs to be filled...

what i love most about this though is that this would give some sort of autonomy which Cebu has been dying to have for ages :)

I dunno how I gonna translate this to English.

Kon ganse sila sa corporate tax tungod sa Economic Zone perks, bawion sila sa witholding tax sa mga empleyado tungod kay daghan man makasulod ug trabaho.

@dabert & @animasola: si @jrevalde to ang naa sa NZ, ka-batch pud nako sa sci-high

I dunno how I gonna translate this to English.

Kon ganse sila sa corporate tax tungod sa Economic Zone perks, bawion sila sa witholding tax sa mga empleyado tungod kay daghan man makasulod ug trabaho.

Losses from corporate taxes will be recouped from the withholding taxes of the employees because there are more job opportunities and more will be employed. :dunno: An attempt to become a translator :lol:

I dunno how I gonna translate this to English.

Kon ganse sila sa corporate tax tungod sa Economic Zone perks, bawion sila sa witholding tax sa mga empleyado tungod kay daghan man makasulod ug trabaho.

This was the point I was getting at, kapoy lang type. :lol:

As Jhaelnis so eloquently put it, mabawi ra jud! :cheers:

OT: ahh... kk. lamat dave. So SSCer pud ang katong nilarga sa NZ? si revalde? hehe... :nuts:

Arroyo: Cebu ecozone bid viable (http://philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71)
By Ehda M. Dagooc
Monday, August 6, 2007

While President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo believes the viability of the Cebu province-wide economic zone proposal, she said the realization of the project would largely depend on the Congressmen supporting it.

“It’s a viable proposal. But its up to the Congress,” the President said in an interview adding that if all of them [Cebuano Congressmen] are supporting for the project, there is a good possibility that it could get through the Congress.

However, Arroyo tried not to elaborate whether she favors the said proposal, which is initiated by the private-sector in Cebu, reiterating that the success of the proposal is in the hands of the Congressmen.

Cebuano Congressmen that recently filed the House Bill No. 1319 include Tony Cuenco, Red Durano, Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Eduardo Gullas, Benhur Salimbangon, Raul del Mar, Pablo John Garcia, and Pablo Garcia.

The Bill proposed the legislation that establishes the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) covering all the cities and municipalities of Cebu province, and the creation of Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority, as well as provision of appropriate funding requirements.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Ecozone Study Group fleshed out its concept of a private sector led, province-wide special economic zone that would serve as a pilot project for sub-national business environment reforms and that would be independent of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and Bureau of Investments (BOI), and other government-led incentive giving bodies.

This first-of-a-kind initiative to be done in the Philippines aims to harness the resources of the entire Cebu Island, which possesses all the economic ingredients and qualifications of a viable economic zone, and as a pilot area for sub-national business environment reforms.

^^

I'm having second thoughts of declaring the entire province into a special economic zone but still I'm in favor of it.

Anyway, come to think of this...

We have lots of special economic zones in the province and the city where the investors can invest. Examples of these are the South Roads Properties (330 hectares), the Mactan Economic Zones 1 and 2 (Export processing), Asiatown Information Technology Park (BPO), West Cebu Industrial Park (ship building and other heavy industries), Naga Township One, etc.

Some of these economic zones don't have much locators yet. The Cebu Light Industrial Park in Mactan Island is I guess more than 40 hectares big and yet there's only one locator.

If the entire province will become an economic zone, how can we expect to develop the existing economic zones as the province itself will compete with them? Wouldn't such designation as a special economic zone result to haphazard development? We might see industrial buildings and factories sprouting everywhere thus posing a threat to the environment and existing communities -- unless if proper zoning is observed.

Anyway, if it will really yield favorable results to our country as a whole then let it come to fruition. But then there should be proper zoning -- Western Cebu for heavy industries (power plants, ship building, car manufaturing, steel plants, gold and copper mines, etc.), Eastern Cebu for Information Technology and BPOs, Northern Cebu for light industries (jewelry, food processing, furniture, etc.), Southern Cebu for tourism (retirement villages, hotels, resorts, theme park, etc.). :okay:


:dunno:

@dabert & @animasola: si @jrevalde to ang naa sa NZ, ka-batch pud nako sa sci-high

OT: woops.. my bad.. hehe, twas jrevalde i was referring to..

anyway, i hope the congress will approve this bill as soon as possible., i can't wait for those huge international companies to be expanding their operations here., since that would equate to more jobs, low unemployment rate, decreased poverty, increased purchasing power, and of course, more financial resources for the families to send their children to school. :D

^^

I'm having second thoughts of declaring the entire province into a special economic zone but still I'm in favor of it.

Anyway, come to think of this...

We have lots of special economic zones in the province and the city where the investors can invest. Examples of these are the South Roads Properties (330 hectares), the Mactan Economic Zones 1 and 2 (Export processing), Asiatown Information Technology Park (BPO), West Cebu Industrial Park (ship building and other heavy industries), Naga Township One, etc.

Some of these economic zones don't have much locators yet. The Cebu Light Industrial Park in Mactan Island is I guess more than 40 hectares big and yet there's only one locator.

If the entire province would become an economic zone, how could we expect to develop the existing economic zones as the province itself would compete with them? Wouldn't such designation as a special economic zone result to haphazard development? We might see industrial buildings and factories sprouting everywhere thus posing a threat to the environment and existing communities -- unless if proper zoning is observed.

Anyway, if it will really yield favorable results to our country as a whole then let it come to fruition. But then there should be proper zoning -- Western Cebu for heavy industries (power plants, ship building, car manufaturing, steel plants, gold and copper mines, etc.), Eastern Cebu for Information Technology and BPOs, Northern Cebu for light industries (jewelry, food processing, furniture, etc.), Southern Cebu for tourism (retirement villages, hotels, resorts, theme park, etc.). :okay:


:dunno:

i'm hoping that CEDZA will take care of that problem, that is to implement proper zoning for the different industries you mentioned.
as for the locators, maybe because some companies are still currently hampered by the foreign ownership law (40-60?), that's why even though there are lots of tax incentives in economic zones like SRP and MEPZ, some are still reluctant because they want full ownership and control. and since the proposed bill indicates that this will be scrapped, that could mean otherwise. :okay:

^^

And I hope they will clearly define the powers of whoever the chairman of the proposed CEDZA will be or else the CEDZA will become a de facto "Cebu Government" within an existing "Cebu Government," hehe.

Such powers should not conflict with that of the governor otherwise there will be a clash especially if both executives will resort to grandstanding (and credit grabbing), hehehe..

^^ much more if mayor Tom and Gov Gwen are in the top positions of the proposed cedza. :D

a time for the Cebu to be like the Hongkong image. surely will come to passed from the little hongkong. not only to the metropolitan area will be urbanize and industrialize but throughout the island/province.

This really should push through, there is no valid reason why this should not take place. It's part of coping up with global competition. I really believe that the entire island of Cebu can reach greater heights that Hong Kong and Singapore in the future unless it gets ruined. Not only Metro Cebut but also other towns and corners of the province should be developed. The RoRO port in northern Cebu linking it to Masbate, Samar and Batangas is already one hige leap once realized. Another factore is the construction of more efficient roads, bridges and highways thoughout the province as well as new manufacturies and industrial centers in other towns. I hope Cebu can change the face of the entire country in the near future.

Any progress regarding this bill guys? I hope this gets through... :D

Cebu ecozone bill now in Congress
By Ehda M. Dagooc
The Freeman
Thursday, August 16, 2007


The business community is preparing for a more challenging fight now that the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) proposal is now grilled at the House of Representatives.

Aside from the study group headed by former Board of Investment (BOI) official Gerry Sta. Ana, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is also forming a technical group to focus on the technicalities of the CEDZ proposal, this will be headed by former chamber president, lawyer Anastacio Muntuerto Jr.

CCCI president Francis O. Monera said there will be a re-grouping of the CEDZ, and that the two groups will focus on different aspects of the proposal, Sta. Ana will lead the conducting of further studies to back up the bid and is also tasked to invite more Congressmen to support the House Bill No. 1319 or the CEDZ.

Muntuerto, on the other hand, is expected to fill out the details and technicalities of the proposal as the private sector expects this bill to be a very controversial one.

“We would like to enlighten the other Congressmen about the bill. We consider this a very crucial move for Cebu and the chamber, but we have to do this,” Monera said.

According to Monera the CEDZ Bill is gunning for better incentives for investors apart from those offered by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

If approved, a Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority (CEDZA) will be created, which will be a private sector initiated body and will function independently from PEZA. However, the board members of the proposed zone will compose of representatives from the private sector and government officials from both the provincial and local units.

Monera said CCCI, as well as the eight Cebuano Congressmen who committed their support and authored the bill, are already bracing themselves for a tough fight ahead to get the bill through the scrutiny of the entire house and eventually be passed into law.

Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her confidence on the proposal saying “it’s viable”, however said the success of the bill lies in the hands of the supporting Cebuano Congressmen.

wow cool im hoping and praying for Cebu to become economically competitve and become the best...not only Cebu but Manila and whole Philippines.god bless!!

Any progress? hehe... Hope this wasn't shelved.

IMO, share ko lang guys. Para sa akin, ang una muna nilang ayusin sa Cebu ang INFRASTRUCTURE such as drainage, waste disposal, and everything pertains to environment. Make sure na maayos yun para hindi umabot na maging polluted na rin tulad ng Metro Manila.

I've been there last year, what I've observed, polluted na rin ang hangin especially along metro. They have to do something right now to lessen it. I also saw trashes along sidewalks. It will causes floods and disease. So please unahin muna ng gov't yun.

If they want o be a SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, then face for the advantage as well as disadvantages. ^^

^^^^

It is a bit strange why Cebu seems to be foolishly following the mistakes of Metro Manila: narrow roads, lack of planning in other infrastructures, polluted cities with smoke belching vehicles...

Making the whole Cebu as a special eco zone is a very good idea.

^^Foolish? Give us the budget and we will happily widen our roads.

cebu is not following manila. if they have the budget i think cebu is like singapore or hongkong in the making. cheers to the cebuanos!!!

^^ I'm all for this...:cheers:

But as mentioned in some posts, some concerns would have to be addressed so that Cebu would be able to sustain ecological balance as it progresses industrially. Nature and culture are some of its prime assets and these should never be forsaken.

cebu is not following manila. if they have the budget i think cebu is like singapore or hongkong in the making. cheers to the cebuanos!!!

We know naman po. But as time goes by, cebu will be like Manila in the making, with full of pollution. Kaya do something not only the government but residents as well. Act now before its too late!^^

wats an ecozone...is it making cebu an entire business district?

^^

Special Economic Zone

Investors are given perks such as tax holidays if they invest (be it commercial, industry, tourism, etc.) on a particular area that has been designated as a "special economic zone."

As of now, most Special Economic Zones are just districts or certain areas of a province, like here in Cebu, there's the Mactan Economic Zone 1 and 2 where companies (mostly foreign) engaging in export (electronics, furniture, etc.) are located, the Asiatown I.T. Park (a business district for BPOs), and others.

The bill proposes to declare the entire Cebu Province as a special economic zone so that investors wouldn't be limited to the existing smaller ecozones in Cebu (like the ones I just mentioned).

Other examples of Special Economic Zones are Subic and Clark.

My only apprehension about this is that we might see "factories" sprouting everywhere simply because the entire province is already an ecozone. This for me is bad for the environment and might result in pollution and environmental degradation. I'm hoping that even if the entire province will be an ecozone, there should still be strict and proper zoning. So perhaps they will designate a particular area only for heavy industries like shipbuilding, steel plants, etc.. and another area for tourism, another area for BPOs, etc..



..

^^^^

It is a bit strange why Cebu seems to be foolishly following the mistakes of Metro Manila: narrow roads, lack of planning in other infrastructures, polluted cities with smoke belching vehicles...

Making the whole Cebu as a special eco zone is a very good idea.


There are actually lots of things that play together to explain why Cebu has narrow roads, and the "perceived" lack of planning in infrastructure, etc..etc..

One has to consider the terrain of Cebu City. I've learned lately that the "urban area" of Cebu City right now is not totally flat. I happened to be on top of a building somewhere in downtown months ago and I noticed that Ayala Center Cebu and other buildings/hotels in the uptown area seems to be perched on top of a hill although if we go there it would seem as if it's in a flat area. Now I guess this explains why only downtown Cebu has "grid-like" roads. Of course, downtown Cebu dates back to the Spanish era thus the roads there are narrow.

With the limited amount of flat land and with other areas already owned and hoarded, the only solution was to reclaim! Thus in the early 1960s, Cebu got it's first reclamation area -- the Cebu Port Centre or simply North Reclamation Area (NRA). The NRA was envisioned to be a neo-city within a city. Portions of it were designated for the port of Cebu, the new Cebu City Hall, an area for banks, department stores and other commercial centers. It had wide grid-like and tree-lined roads. Its main thoroughfare (Sergio Osmeña Avenue, formerly McArthur Boulevard) is Cebu City's version of Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

The problem was with politics. The developer of the reclamation area, Serging Osmeña, was an archenemy of Ferdinand Marcos. Originally, in order to make sure that only serious investors would get a piece of the NRA, the properties were to be leased only instead of being sold. As part of the leasing agreement, investors were given at least three months within which they should construct a building.

Anyway, to cut the story short, Marcos wrested control of the Reclamation Area, sold the properties in NRA to speculators/hoarders, and the rest is history. It was also because of this that the Public Estates Authority (PEA) now Philippine Reclamation Authority was created. Now, this reclamation area is a haven for squatters, container vans, etc. Except for Sergio Osmeña Avenue, most of the roads there are in a bad condition, gone are the trees in the center islands, gone are the street lamps thanks to you MARCOS!

Hope is not lost though. Right now, the Cebu City Government is developing the South Road Properties (SRP), the biggest reclamation area in the city so far at 330-hectares. This will be Cebu City's future economic driver - a future city within a city with well-planned roads, underground drainage, underground cables for electricity and telecommunications, etc... A 0.9 km tunnel is also currently being constructed to connect the South Coastal Highway in SRP with S.Osmeña Avenue in NRA and then to Ouano Avenue in Mandaue's reclamation area :okay:

Reclamation areas are really common here in Cebu. Aside from Cebu City, Mandaue also has it's own reclamation area (New Mandaue City) where the Cebu City International Convention Center is located. Lapu-Lapu City is also planning to reclaim and so with Cordova (the proposed project would be the biggest in Cebu at 3,000 hectares if pursued). Other towns that are part of Metro Cebu such as Naga have also reclaimed land.


SRP, photo by Anakin
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8152/635684012226a9493ceoiw1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/srp_sez_01.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/472536653_3e3e544301.jpg?v=0

Hope is not lost though. Right now, the Cebu City Government is developing the South Road Properties (SRP), the biggest reclamation area in the city so far at 330-hectares. This will be Cebu City's future economic driver - a future city within a city with well-planned roads, underground drainage, underground cables for electricity and telecommunications, etc... A 0.9 km tunnel is also currently being constructed to connect the South Coastal Highway in SRP with S.Osmeña Avenue in NRA and then to Ouano Avenue in Mandaue's reclamation area :okay:

Reclamation areas are really common here in Cebu. Aside from Cebu City, Mandaue also has it's own reclamation area (New Mandaue City) where the Cebu City International Convention Center is located. Lapu-Lapu City is also planning to reclaim and so with Cordova (the proposed project would be the biggest in Cebu at 3,000 hectares if pursued). Other towns that are part of Metro Cebu such as Naga have also reclaimed land.


SRP, photo by Anakin
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8152/635684012226a9493ceoiw1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/srp_sez_01.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/472536653_3e3e544301.jpg?v=0

i don't get it. why would these cities have to reclaim lands? It is really costly doing this rather than buying those unused parcels of land. :nuts:

i don't get it. why would these cities have to reclaim lands? It is really costly doing this rather than buying those unused parcels of land. :nuts:

Where in Cebu City do you think you can buy a 300 hectares unused parcels of land? And why do you think it's cheaper to buy those lands than to reclaim? I know Tom and his planners won't venture such a huge project without considering all other options and also the cost and return of their investment. :)

^^Yep, plus those "empty" parcels might have illegal settlers who are really hard to deal with.

^^

Special Economic Zone

Investors are given perks such as tax holidays if they invest (be it commercial, industry, tourism, etc.) on a particular area that has been designated as a "special economic zone."

As of now, most Special Economic Zones are just districts or certain areas of a province, like here in Cebu, there's the Mactan Economic Zone 1 and 2 where companies (mostly foreign) engaging in export (electronics, furniture, etc.) are located, the Asiatown I.T. Park (a business district for BPOs), and others.

The bill proposes to declare the entire Cebu Province as a special economic zone so that investors wouldn't be limited to the existing smaller ecozones in Cebu (like the ones I just mentioned).

Other examples of Special Economic Zones are Subic and Clark.

My only apprehension about this is that we might see "factories" sprouting everywhere simply because the entire province is already an ecozone. This for me is bad for the environment and might result in pollution and environmental degradation. I'm hoping that even if the entire province will be an ecozone, there should still be strict and proper zoning. So perhaps they will designate a particular area only for heavy industries like shipbuilding, steel plants, etc.. and another area for tourism, another area for BPOs, etc..



..

Good point.

..............
Hope is not lost though. Right now, the Cebu City Government is developing the South Road Properties (SRP), the biggest reclamation area in the city so far at 330-hectares. This will be Cebu City's future economic driver - a future city within a city with well-planned roads, underground drainage, underground cables for electricity and telecommunications, etc... A 0.9 km tunnel is also currently being constructed to connect the South Coastal Highway in SRP with S.Osmeña Avenue in NRA and then to Ouano Avenue in Mandaue's reclamation area :okay:....

SRP, photo by Anakin
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8152/635684012226a9493ceoiw1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/srp_sez_01.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/472536653_3e3e544301.jpg?v=0


^^

That's good news.
Are those pics above the reclamation area?

When is the completion date?

^^ the reclamation is now complete and is being marketed by CIPC although the SRP still has 1 locator (BIGFOOT) a 40-hectare lot inside SRP is being contested by SM, Ayala's, Robinsons and other real estate giants.

note: SM proposed to buy the entire SRP from the city government but the city refused the offer.

the road networks like the tunnel and access for the causeway from Cebu City Hall are still under construction. :)

^^ It will be good to categorize all municipalities in Cebu in terms of business, industrial, commercial, etc.. before they become a city....

SEZ is a good proposed plan for entire Cebu Province...

CCCI confident of getting representatives’ approval (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71&aid=20071223125)

The Freeman
By Ehda M. Dagooc
Monday, December 24, 2007

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is confident that the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) proposal will pass through Congress, as the bill is strong enough to withstand criticisms from other lawmakers.

CCCI president Francis O. Monera said that with the support extended by local government executives in Cebu province, such as the Provincial government, and all the Cebuano Congressmen, the bill is seen to be passed into law, although it is expected to become one of the most controversial bills in the country.

CCCI, with the help of German government through the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), has commissioned experts to make technical studies to back up the proposal.

This time, a more detailed study will be started by an audit and financial expert institution, to strengthen the feasibility of the proposal.

However, Monera said even without these technical back-up studies, the bill can stand on its own.

The second set of technical study is expected to give ammunition to the House Bill No. 1319, to create the first-ever province-wide economic zone in the Philippines.

Hearing of this bill is expected to kick off early next year. Monera said while the government is supportive with the concept, CCCI is confident to have the Bill passed into Law.

Still, the second study funded by GTZ will be pursued, and result of this is expected to complete before the bill will set for hearing in the Congress next year.

Considered as the flagship project of CCCI in the last two years, under the leadership of Monera, the concept and objective of the bill was thus developed along the lines of establishing the Cebu Economic Development Zone into a self-sustaining, industrial, commercial and investment center that will put in place a wide-reaching employment and investment generation mechanism.

The CEDZ is envisioned to be a paradigm of an effective and functioning Public-Private Sector Partnership with the private sector taking the lead and government providing infrastructure and institutional support and contributing part of the needed resources.

The first study, which was also funded by GTZ, was conducted by Center for Research and Communication (CRC) of the University of Asia and the Pacific, which dealt more on the feasibility of a province-wide economic zone concept, and how other areas in the world successfully done this kind of concept.

The second study however, will provide the detailed support to which focus will largely include specific figures how the eco-zone concept can propel Cebu’s economic growth and help provide increase revenue generation to each Local Government Unit (LGU) in the province.

^^^^

Good. The government has to act a bit faster on this taking into consideration that the Senate will study/research/reflect/debate/wait for a sign from above/etc. on this one once it reaches them.

Like arnold carl said; take into consideration the environmental impact meaning ensure there are enough safeguards to protect the environment.

Overall, this is good not only for Cebu but for the whole country. One side effect would be for others outside Cebu to see how "opening up" an economy is by and large necessary for more development.

a time for the Cebu to be like the Hongkong image. surely will come to passed from the little hongkong. not only to the metropolitan area will be urbanize and industrialize but throughout the island/province.

cebu is not following manila. if they have the budget i think cebu is like singapore or hongkong in the making. cheers to the cebuanos!!!


Cebu Province is 5 times bigger than Hongkong by land area or 10 times bigger than Singapore. Cheers! A great idea whose time has come. :cheers:

Cebu Province is 5 times bigger than Hongkong by land area or 10 times bigger than Singapore. Cheers! A great idea whose time has come. :cheers:

isn't it the plan of CCCI to make Cebu a separate country in the far long future and be independent and progressive as Singapore??? suntok sa buwan ba?? :nuts:

NAGA City Cebu, Reclamation Park


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga6.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga20.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga19.jpg

as of last year
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga23.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga22.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga21.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga17.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga13.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga12.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga11.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga9.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga8.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga7.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Slerz/naga6.jpg

thanks for the pics, it truly made Naga a haven for potential investors . . . if possible, they will entertain the idea of putting a small scale airport to help boost the tourism for the south . . .

isn't it the plan of CCCI to make Cebu a separate country in the far long future and be independent and progressive as Singapore??? suntok sa buwan ba?? :nuts:


Ambut lang kaha, wa sab ko masayud ana. Apan ayaw lang usa. Daghan man sab tang mga kaigsuonan nga Sugbuanon sa ubang mga parte sa Visayas ug Mindanao. Di sab maayo nga mahilayo ta nila.

Kun buot huna-hunaon, mismong ang Singapore dependent man gihapon sa Malaysia sa pagka-dugay na nilang pagka-buwag. Ana-a gihapon ang ginatawag nga “special relationship” sa duruha sa daghang aspeto sa panginabuhi. Kasagaran sa mga "new migrants" dinhi guikan man sa Malaysia, kasagaran sa "outsourcing" nila adto man himo-a sa Johore Bahru (southernmost Malaysian province) nga kasikbit ra pud sa Singapore. Para nako, maayo mahimutang lang usa ta sa Filipinas. Unya na lang ta manghasi kun modato na giud tag taman nga di na gayud mapugngan… :jk:


:D

CCCI confident of getting representatives’ approval (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71&aid=20071223125)

The Freeman
By Ehda M. Dagooc
Monday, December 24, 2007

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is confident that the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) proposal will pass through Congress, as the bill is strong enough to withstand criticisms from other lawmakers.


We are breaking the sound barrier when it comes to developments. If this bill will be approved, Cebu will be cruising in Mach 3! :banana:

Firm gives proposal to ecozone group (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view_article.php?article_id=111314)


By Jun P. Tagalog
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 04:19pm (Mla time) 01/09/2008


The ecozone study group of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) received only one proposal on how to go about a detailed study of the plan to declare the whole of Cebu as an economic development zone.

However, Gerry Sta. Ana who chairs the ecozone study group refused to divulge the name of the company that submitted the lone proposal.

"It is up to the Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP) in the Philippines that is funding the detailed study," Sta. Ana said.

SMEDSEP is a technical cooperation project between the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany. It is conceived to help improve the Philippines business and investment climate for the small and medium enterprises.

Last month, Sta. Ana named four firms expressing interest to conduct the detailed study. These were the Manabat Delgado Amper & Co.; Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co.; Isla, Lipanan & Co. and the Punongbayan & Araullo.

Sta. Ana said he is still hopeful that the lone proponent would address the specific details the ecozone group want to be covered.

The ecozone study group wants the firm to study the infrastructure needed, the organizational structure of CEDZA, its effects to the existing economic zones and IT parks, and its impact of the declaration in Cebu.

After its evaluation and approval, the ecozone study group will submit it to SMEDSEP.

SMEDSEP will have the last say on what the company should undertake because it is funding the P600,000 undertaking.

The study is expected to be completed in three months.

The Cebu ecozone plan was hatched by Francis Monera a few months after he became the CCCI president.

In April 2006, the CCCI created the ecozone study group and immediately began its study.

Last July, eight Cebuano congressmen filed House Bill No. 1319 in Congress, which seeks to create the Cebu Economic Development Zone

House panel OKs bill creating Cebu economic zone
02/22/2008 | 10:58 PM

Cebu City — The House committee on economic affairs has approved a bill proposing to declare the entire province of Cebu as a special economic zone.

Deputy Speaker Raul V. del Mar, main proponent of the bill, said the measure was approved on Thursday. It will be forwarded to the appropriation and ways and means committees for approval because the bill calls for P1 to P2-billion start-up funds from the national government.

In the meantime, Del Mar said they would sit down with all city and town mayors as well as the Cebu governor to discuss the bill. The consultations will be scheduled as soon as the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), which had initiated the proposal, completes a pre-investment study.

"We don’t want to go to plenary with the bill without the stamp of approval by local government officials. If we don’t get their unanimity, we hope to get at least the majority of the LGUs," Mr. del Mar said.

Francis O. Monera, outgoing president of the CCCI, said he was pleased with the approval.

"I consider this a sub-national strategy. This is a pilot project for economic reforms. If this is successful in Cebu, I’m looking at offering this concept to other areas," he said.

The proposed measure, House Bill 1319, seeks to establish the Cebu Economic Development Zone covering all cities and municipalities in Cebu, creates the Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority with a total authorized capital of P10 billion, and seeks up to P2 billion in start-up funds from the government.

The bill also proposes a better fiscal incentive package to locators, such as an income tax holiday of up to 10 years, and introduces a shift in investment promotions, from government-led to private sector-led.

Mr. Monera said a vital component is the incentives that would be offered to infrastructure developers from the private sector.

"This is designed essentially to allow the private sector to participate in infrastructure development," he said.

Mr. del Mar said he does not expect any objection to the bill. He said the committee on appropriations is expected to help find sources of funds for the authority that will supervise the ecozone.

The Cebu Economic Development Zone is envisioned as a self-sustaining, industrial, commercial and investment center. A master plan will be formulated to include comprehensive land use, bureaucratic streamlining, capacity building and infrastructure projects, investment priorities planning, and marketing and promotions.

The bill was authored by Reps. Raul del Mar and Antonio Cuenco from Cebu City as well as Reps. Eduardo Gullas, Pablo Garcia, Pablo John Garcia, Benhur Salimbangon, Red Durano and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz from the six districts of Cebu province. - Marites S. Villamor/BusinessWorld

House committee approves ecozone bill

A BILL which seeks to make Cebu a province-wide economic zone (ecozone) was approved by the economic affairs committee of the Lower House on Thursday.

Cebu City North District Rep. Raul Del Mar said House Bill (HB) 1319, which was on its second hearing, was approved by the 35-member committee chaired by Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano of the 5th district.

“The bill will have to go through the appropriations and ways and means committee because of its tax provisions,” Del Mar told reporters at yesterday's general membership meeting of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Del Mar was former president of the CCCI.

He said that while the bill is moving in Congress, members of the CCCI ecozone advocacy group will hold a series of consultations with local officials, including city and municipal mayors and the governor, to discuss the bill.

“The consultation is in preparation for the plenary discussion in Congress. We don't want to go to the plenary without the support of the local government units (LGUs),” he said.

Del Mar said they plan to meet Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to discuss specific provisions of the bill.

Osmeña earlier said that establishing a province-wide ecozone will mean revenue losses for LGUs.

HB 1319 seeks to declare Cebu as an economic development zone and create the Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority (Cedza) as the ecozone's administrator.

The bill, signed by all of Cebu's eight congressmen, was filed July 2007.

To ensure the approval of the bill, CCCI formed an ecozone advocacy group to look into the organizational structure of Cedza, its startup operation expenses, and the ecozone's effects on existing ecozones and IT parks.

Outgoing CCCI president Francis Monera said the study group is expected to release the results of its study before the end of March.

Monera said the proposed ecozone will ensure the continuous development of Cebu. He said the bill provides incentives to infrastructure providers.

“One of China's provinces, Hainan, was able to progress rapidly because the entire province is an ecozone. Establishing an ecozone will help us move faster because it will give us autonomy,” he said.

“We have drivers of growth here which are global in nature,” he said referring to tourism, information and communication technology, as well as small and medium enterprises which produce goods for export.

Mactan showed the way

Started in 1979, the 150-hectare Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ I) is located near the waterfront of Mactan island and strategically accessible via the seaport and the Mactan International Airport. It currently hosts more than a hundred companies from a wide range of industries – from electronics and computers to metals and precision instruments, from chemicals to garments and furniture.

Factories inside the MEZ I churn out watches (TMX Phils.), cameras (Asahi Pentax, Olympus), stylish furniture (Maitland Smith), diodes/transistors (Fairchild Semiconductors), that find their way in export markets, mostly in Japan and the United States. Proof of how successful the economic zone program has been the development of the 63-hectare Mactan Economic Zone II (MEZ II), privately developed however (Aboitiz Land), that attracted some 42 locators. Combined employment of MEZ I and MEZ II account for some 43,000 jobs, infusing some P300 million a month to Cebu’s local economy. Directed towards manufacture-for-exports, locators inside MEZ I and II are entitled to income tax holidays and duty-free importation of equipment, among other incentives – as mandated by the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7916).

Today, there are six other economic zones and industrial parks following the success of the Mactan ecozones. What’s more, these industrial parks are spread across the province, according to a masterplan for managing economic development in Cebu. MEZ I and II and the Cebu Light Industrial Park are located in Mactan island, the New Cebu Township in Naga, in the northern part of the province, the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban, the western part of Cebu in Balamban, and the Cebu Asia Town IT Park. The Miranila Economic Zone is a 2,800-hectare property being developed in Aloguinsan and Barili, South of Cebu.

The private sector manages and develops all of the above except for the Cebu South Reclamation Project. The Cebu City government is developing the 300-hectare prime property development on reclaimed land just a few meters off the coast of the Cebu central business district. PEZA-registered as a special economic zone, locators at the Cebu South can avail of special incentives. The Japanese investors, who own more than half of Cebu’s top export firms, are funding the project cost of P3 billion, through the Japan Bank International Cooperation (JBIC). They also funded the adjacent Cebu Coastal Road, a four-lane, 12-kilometer highway built to ease traffic in the city. Starting this year, the Cebu South will be ready for occupancy and both manufacturing and service industries are welcome. A great come-on for locators, aside from the guaranteed sound infrastructure done by the Japanese is the proximity of the central business district and the international port (ten minutes away) and the International Airport (30 minutes).

'Too many ecozones'
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/24/bus/.too.many.ecozones..html

A CEBUANO congressman fears the request by many local government units (LGUs) in the country for special economic zone accreditations would lead to stiffer competition and put off potential investors.

“There are too many applications for economic zone accreditations, even by some areas that are not yet ready,” said Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI (Cebu, fifth district). “Instead of luring locators to the economic zone, these areas may end up competing with each other,” he added.

In an interview with reporters, Durano, who is also the chairman of the House committee on economic affairs, admitted that there are “gray areas” in Republic Act 7916, also known as the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, as it provides two ways to obtain economic zone accreditation.

One way is to seek accreditation from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) while the other is through legislation.

Durano said that at present, the economic-enterprise committee, which manages all economic zone applications, is “informally” adopting the criteria set by Peza in screening applicants.

17 bills

He said there are now 17 bills for legislated economic zones pending in the Lower House, including the recently endorsed House Bill 1319, the proposal for a province-wide economic zone in Cebu.

The bill, also known as the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) bill, was filed by Cebuano Reps. Raul del Mar, Antonio Cuenco, Eduardo Gullas, Pablo Garcia, Benhur Salimbangon and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.

Durano said a major issue related to the CEDZ proposal is the problem on monitoring the influx of goods and commodities into the proposed Cebu free port as this could worsen smuggling in the province.

“(But) I think there will not be any big problem because despite (Cebu becoming) a free port, there is only one major international airport and one major international seaport in (the province),” he said. He added that he is optimistic that LGUs will be able to monitor the port areas.

Flagship

Considered as the flagship project of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the CEDZ aims to make Cebu a “self-sustaining, industrial, commercial and investment center that will put in place a wide-reaching employment and investment generation mechanism.”

The CEDZ study group is expected to finish its second study on the economic zone project within the first quarter of this year.

Gerry Sta. Ana, who heads the CCCI committee on the Cebu economic zone proposal, earlier said the second study will be more detailed and will focus on “loose-ends” in the previous study. It will look into figures showing how the economic zone concept can propel Cebu’s economic growth and identify strategies to increase revenues of LGUs in the province. (MMM)

isn't it the plan of CCCI to make Cebu a separate country in the far long future and be independent and progressive as Singapore??? suntok sa buwan ba?? :nuts:

it might go through a civil war first and win it.

^^As much as I hate the people who ridicule and belittle Cebuanos and Cebu as a whole, I wouldn't want Cebu to cede from the Philippines yet.

if not a separate country, at least Federal form of Government would push through.

^^

hala... kasagaran ra ba sa mga nag-federal nangadato jud. Belgium Austria Switzerland Germany Canada. ipadayon ang pakigbisog... :)

Translation: Hala, usually those who have gone federal became rich. Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Canada. Let us continue the fight. :)

List the cities / places that you know how or at least have an idea on how to get yourself around with:

Mine:
Iloilo City
Koronadal City
Bacolod City
Caloocan City
Quezon City


List yours...:)

Do they have to be in The Philippines?

Davao and Metro Manila (except the residential areas and southern part i.e Muntinlupa)

Any city (anywhere in the world) with a reliable and convenient public transportation system can be easily navigated, even for non-residents.

sabagay, dito sa singapore ilang araw lang medyo gamay ko na ang pagbbyahe

pero dito ko narealize di pala ganun kagaling ang sense of direction ko (or baka iba lang talaga system dito) kasi sa pinas mapa saang city ako gets ko kung saan ang north south etc..i rarely get disoriented..kumbaga alam ko saan papunta ang daan na para bang may mapa ako sa utak pero dito iba talagang di ko ma gets lalo na pag sa mga residential areas (siguro dahil sa mga magkamukhang "commie" blocks) buti na lang efficient ang bus and mrt dito

Metro Manila (mostly of major and secondary [and not city] thoroughfares).
Metro Cebu (Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Consolacion, Talisay City)
Davao City (downtown area, Matina, Ecoland, Mintal)
Iloilo City and MIDC (Metro Iloilo Dev't Council Area)
Bacolod City
General Santos City
Koronadal City, South Cotabato
Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat

What I like about small and medium sized cities is that most of the areas are very easy to access. To "tricycle cities," it wouldn't be a problem for as long as the tricycle driver knows what street or landmark will be your destination.

Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Ozamis City, Tangub City, Tagbilaran City, Cebu City, Manadue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay City, Cebu.

All the cities I've been to. :)

Makati City
Pasig City
Bonifacio Global City :D <<< considered ba to? :D
Eastwood City :D <<< eto rin :lol:
Cebu City
Mandaue City
Lapu Lapu City
Davao City
Tagum City

SM City Davao

Cities where I lived:
Makati City
City of Manila
Quezon City
& all other Metro Manila cities esp. the south, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa
Tagaytay City

metro manila, metro cebu, subic, olongapo city, city of san fernando, san fernando city, dagupan city, baguio city, laoag city, vigan city, cotobato city, dipolog city, cagayan de oro city, dumaguete city, bacolod city, bayawan city... :)

metro cebu and new york city.

Bacolod
Makati
Paranaque
Iloilo
Cebu
Dumaguete
HK
Macau

;20833539']sabagay, dito sa singapore ilang araw lang medyo gamay ko na ang pagbbyahe

pero dito ko narealize di pala ganun kagaling ang sense of direction ko (or baka iba lang talaga system dito) kasi sa pinas mapa saang city ako gets ko kung saan ang north south etc..i rarely get disoriented..kumbaga alam ko saan papunta ang daan na para bang may mapa ako sa utak pero dito iba talagang di ko ma gets lalo na pag sa mga residential areas (siguro dahil sa mga magkamukhang "commie" blocks) buti na lang efficient ang bus and mrt dito

Do you depend on landmarks or orientation to get your bearings?

Do you depend on landmarks or orientation to get your bearings?

not sure really..baka both

well sa manila basta alam ko lang..what i do is look at the map first tapos inaaral ko lang then madali kong nagegets (landmarks help too)

pero dito sa singapore lagi akong na didisorient..or siguro dahil lagi akong nag e mrt kaya di ko masyadong familar sa roads

^^ True. Subterranean travel can disorient you if you're not familiar with the layout of a city.

dagupan and antipolo city...

Makati City & Iloilo City :cheers:

-Metro Cebu

-Metro Manila (not all cities)

-San Fernando City, Pampanga

-Lipa City

-Batangas City

-Cavite City

-Tagaytay City

-Balanga City

-San Fernando City, Pampanga ('musta mga kabalen!)
-Angeles City, Pampanga
-Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija ('musta sa mga kababayan kong Novo Ecijanos!)
-Olongapo City, Zambales
-Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
-Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
-Malolos City, Bulacan
-Meycauayan City, Bulacan
-San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan
-All Metro Manila cities
-Tagaytay City, Cavite
-Trece Martires City, Cavite
-Santa Rosa City, Laguna
-Calamba City, Laguna
-San Pablo City, Laguna
-Lucena City, Quezon
-Naga City, Camarines Sur

Lahat talaga may city a!

^^ Wow...

List the cities / places that you know how or at least have an idea on how to get yourself around with:

Mine:
Iloilo City
Koronadal City
Bacolod City
Caloocan City
Quezon City


List yours...:)

Editing mine...

Iloilo City = the whole Iloilo City or probably the metro area and adjacent towns like Cabatuan, Tigbauan, Jordan(Guimaras) and Dumangas

Koronadal = anywhere near the center landmark

Bacolod = Lacson St., Araneta St., Singcang Area, Bredco Reclamation Area, East Block, Golden Fields

Caloocan = Northern Part, near NLEX

Quezon City = Cubao, Munoz and Katipunan Area

Davao City = NCCC Area, Market Area, Jack's Ridge, (i forgot the road names but I know how to get around a bit..)


I used to have some knowledge about Baguio but I forgot it...

;20849662']not sure really..baka both

well sa manila basta alam ko lang..what i do is look at the map first tapos inaaral ko lang then madali kong nagegets (landmarks help too)

pero dito sa singapore lagi akong na didisorient..or siguro dahil lagi akong nag e mrt kaya di ko masyadong familar sa roads

Onga, ganyan din ako nun una. Pero eventually masasanay ka din. And try opting for the bus services instead of the trains. That way you'd hasten your sense of direction at the same time save money from the expensive train rides. I remember the first weekend I had here, I went to Orchard and Marina Bay alone. Although syempre sumakay ako ng mrt para mas mabilis. :lol:

Anyways, here's mine:

Vigan, of course
Laoag
Baguio
Metro Manila (major thoroughfares)
Singapore

With GPS technology readily available these days, and is getting better everyday; getting lost amidst an urban center will be a thing of the past.

Any city (anywhere in the world) with a reliable and convenient public transportation system can be easily navigated, even for non-residents.

True, one week after I arrived here in Taipei, nilibot namin ang Taipei for the fist time kasama kaibigan kong adventurous din, nagkawalawala man kami pero ok lang kase alam namin basta may train/subway, makaka uwi pa din kami. Exciting nga kahit kilokilometro nilakad namin. Madali lang sa mga turista ang mrt/trains dito pero ang bus ang mahirap dahil bihira ang may english signs. Malaking tulong din ang pagka weather/typhoon enthusiast ko dahil madali ko ma distinguish ang NSE and W directions. Syempre, malaking tulong din ang GOOGLE EARTH, like what I did pag punta ko sa Manila, mag isa lang, inaral ko muna sa google earth ang mga roads kaya mapa edsa, ortigas, pasay, makati hanggang north harbor, nalakad ko na mag isa...;)

Metro Cebu
Ormoc City
Masbate City
Tagbilaran City
Metro Manila
Metro Taipei


-slerz-

^^ Hey Slerz! :hi: Nice seeing you again! :colgate:

With GPS technology readily available these days, and is getting better everyday; getting lost amidst an urban center will be a thing of the past.

naku eh di ata applicable yan sa cities ng pinas papa bear :D

Onga, ganyan din ako nun una. Pero eventually masasanay ka din. And try opting for the bus services instead of the trains. That way you'd hasten your sense of direction at the same time save money from the expensive train rides. I remember the first weekend I had here, I went to Orchard and Marina Bay alone. Although syempre sumakay ako ng mrt para mas mabilis. :lol:



really? i thought mas mahal mag bus :D kaya MRT ako ng MRT :lol: pero mabilis naman di hamak ang MRT kaya ayun bihira akong mag bus (except if may nakita akong double decker na di puno sa taas and di naman ako nagmamadali) :lol:

so sa mga madaling masanay/ma familiar sa mga cities na bihira lang nilang bisitahin, ano ba mga ginagawa nyo para maging familar agad?

ako kasi maps lang..tutukan ko yan ng matagal tapos ewan, parang nagegets ko na hehe (at least for manila and cebu...ay tsaka bacolod din pala medyo gets ko rin hehe)

;20899954']so sa mga madaling masanay/ma familiar sa mga cities na bihira lang nilang bisitahin, ano ba mga ginagawa nyo para maging familar agad?

Nothing beats walking the streets of a city you're not familiar with. It brings you closer to the action and lets you see upclose what makes it tick. When I'm in unfamiliar territory, I usually consult a map first. Once I know where the main thoroughfares are, it's time to hit the pavement and meet the city in person. Also, veer off the tourist traps and act like a local yourself. :okay:

^^ Hey Slerz! :hi: Nice seeing you again! :colgate:

Hello Kimbs... Bumibisita lang..hehe
;20899954']



really? i thought mas mahal mag bus :D kaya MRT ako ng MRT :lol: pero mabilis naman di hamak ang MRT kaya ayun bihira akong mag bus (except if may nakita akong double decker na di puno sa taas and di naman ako nagmamadali) :lol:

so sa mga madaling masanay/ma familiar sa mga cities na bihira lang nilang bisitahin, ano ba mga ginagawa nyo para maging familar agad?

ako kasi maps lang..tutukan ko yan ng matagal tapos ewan, parang nagegets ko na hehe (at least for manila and cebu...ay tsaka bacolod din pala medyo gets ko rin hehe)

But here in Taipei, mrt/trans and buse fare, almost the same. Mga $2 - $10 lang ang difference.

Davao
Baguio
Digos
Melbourne

mawawala ako pag nasa manila ako...:lol:

;20899954']naku eh di ata applicable yan sa cities ng pinas papa bear :D

really? i thought mas mahal mag bus :D kaya MRT ako ng MRT :lol: pero mabilis naman di hamak ang MRT kaya ayun bihira akong mag bus (except if may nakita akong double decker na di puno sa taas and di naman ako nagmamadali) :lol:

so sa mga madaling masanay/ma familiar sa mga cities na bihira lang nilang bisitahin, ano ba mga ginagawa nyo para maging familar agad?

ako kasi maps lang..tutukan ko yan ng matagal tapos ewan, parang nagegets ko na hehe (at least for manila and cebu...ay tsaka bacolod din pala medyo gets ko rin hehe)

I think taking the bus here is cheaper. I mean for instance if I'd like to go to let's say Orchard coming from where I live, it would only cost maybe around $1.30 or less compared to the mrt w/c is around $2 and I have to change trains pa. On the other hand, opting for the train is a better idea if you're in a rush. But if you're not, I'd say stick with the good ol' buses. They're efficient and you get to see the places you'd pass on. Or better yet, like Kimber said, walkathon nalang.:)

Ako din nagrerely sa mapa. Upon arriving here, I immediately bought a map. It's a huge help.

Nothing beats walking the streets of a city you're not familiar with. It brings you closer to the action and lets you see upclose what makes it tick. When I'm in unfamiliar territory, I usually consult a map first. Once I know where the main thoroughfares are, it's time to hit the pavement and meet the city in person. Also, veer off the tourist traps and act like a local yourself. :okay:

:yes: So true. The only problem is the pain after from the long walks.

^^ The right pair of shoes will do a world of good for your feet. Plus, if you're used to walking long distances, you'd hardly feel the aching and exhaustion after.

Taking walk around the city is a very nice and cool adventure. Just prepare a good amount of cash just in case if you are lost.

Cebu City
Mandaue City
Lapu-Lapu City
Talisay City (Cebu)* count as one
Naga City (Cebu)
Bogo City
Carcar City
Danao City
Toledo City (Spain :lol: Cebu pala)

:rofl:

Ormoc City
Tacloban City
Tagbilaran City

Usually, I take note of the malls in the area as landmarks of where I am going...

sm city clark
sm city pampanga
sm city baguio
sm city marilao
sm city lipa
angeles city
city of san fernado
tarlac city
balanga city

^^ SM City? :lol:

Metro Chicago, Milwaukee, St.Paul/Minneapolis, Metro Manila, Cabanatuan, Tuguegarao, Santiago, Cauayan, Laoag, Vigan, Baguio.

Philippines:
Iloilo City, Iloilo- my home
Bacolod City, Neg. Occ.
Roxas City, Capiz
Passi City, Iloilo
Cebu City, Cebu- medyo kabisado ko na
Some cities of Metro Manila

United Kingdom:
London
Birmingham
Manchester
Nottingham
Derby
Liecester
Oxford
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
York
Newcastle-on-Tyne
Brighton
Coventry
Milton Keynes
Stevenage
Windsor (where the Queen's castle is, but dunno if this is a city)

- Metro Manila except residential areas
- Metro Cebu (and the whole of Cebu province, hehehe)
- Tagbilaran, Bohol (sa downtown area lang)
- Davao City


eto, medyo nakalimutan ko na pero I think I will still remember if there's a familiar landmark..

- Iloilo
- Dumaguete
- Baguio
- Cagayan de Oro
- Roxas City
- Tarlac


..

Metro Manila Except Malabon,Valenzuela and Pateros
Batangas City
Lipa City
Tayabas City
Baguio City
Cavite City
Tagaytay City
Calapan City
Sorsogon City
Legazpi City
Malolos
Some part of Naga
Some part of Lucena
Some part of Sta Rosa
Some part of San Pablo
Calamba
HK

I dunno but sometimes I really like the feeling of getting lost in the streets of any urban area (as long as it is safe). :D

Kuya Bonnix, taga-South ka ba? E di ibig sabihin niyan hindi ka pa nakakarating sa North?

Naga
Some parts of Legazpi
Iriga

most of M.Mla, esp. QC, Cabanatuan, Angeles, San Fernando, Malolos, Meycauayan, San Jose Del Monte, Baliuag, Gapan, San Jose City NE, Tuguegarao, Dagupan, Tagaytay, Antipolo, pero pagdating ng south are (Quezon province pababa, wala na hehe)

also a little of Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal Province, Bataan, Olongapo City Zambales, Tarlac City

Bump! This thread needs to have a second chance at succeeding. :colgate:

i like to experience the cebu province as a federal state. this is not a punch to the moon, i hope.

Mostly, Around Metro Manila such as Makati city, Pasig, & etc. Metro Manila because this is the place where i was born & rise.

Makati
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/351252721_8ea508702c.jpg?v=0
Pasig
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2339073433_2d21ef0d5f.jpg?v=0

cebu city
mandaue city
lapu-lapu city
danao city
tagbilaran city

:cheers:

Manila
Makati
Mandaluyong
Pasig
Quezon City
San Juan
Taguig (BGC lang :D)
Pasay
Sta Rosa City, Laguna

most cities that ive been to, alam ko papunta pero di ko alam pasikot sikot..

Hong Kong
Metro Manila
Kuala Lumpur
Melaka
Singapore
Tokyo
Osaka / Kansai area
New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco
London
Paris

Visayas and Mindanao only :)

Cebu City
Mandaue City
Lapu-lapu City
Carcar, Naga, and Bogo (still city?)
Danao City
Tagbilaran City
Cagayan de Oro City
Marawi City
Iligan City
Ozamis City
Oroquieta City
Malaybalay City
Valencia City
Dipolog City
Dapitan City
Davao City ► i've been here pero once lang, indi masyado nag-ikot

Metro Cebu
Metro Davao

In "Combat Commuting":

>Most of Metro Manila (especially south and central cities)
>Metro Cebu
>Davao City
>Iloilo City
>Bacolod City
>Baguio City
>General Santos City
>Koronadal City
>Tacurong City
>Tagaytay City
>Trece Martires City
>

Where in Metro Manila is the most confusing? I've seen maps of the metropolis and it seems like there's no order to the layout of the streets.

^^ For a local, it depends on how he or she frequents one place in the Metro...For me, I'm still confused on the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area since I do not frequent the area...For Manila proper, I'm very used to most of its districts except Tondo and Santa Ana.

^^ sa 'kin kelangan talaga ng mapa :)

Much of us here in SSC deal with the new and sometimes the suburban part of the city or known as "uptown." But what about the old city centers or poblaciones (town centers) or much known colloquially as "downtown."

In this thread, you can showcase the downtown of your city or town (baka pwede pa ngang barangay eh or district centers) may it showcase both benign or vice-strewn (as most old Philippine city centers are defined) faces of the core of urbanity in your locale.

San Pedro Street, Davao

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/4896/3690273pa6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3690273pa6.jpg/1/w500.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img519/3690273pa6.jpg/1/)

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/buildings009.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/buildings008.jpg

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http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/buildings002.jpg

Tacloban Downtown :banana:

The historic Poblacion of Dasmariñas, Cavite

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/dsm7.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/dsm3.jpg

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/4556/dsc00430mi1.jpg

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2014/dsc00461cu3.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/DSCI0074-2.jpg
old poblacion

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/DSCI0120-1.jpg
a pedestrian overpass with 4 elevators :)

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/DSCI0105.jpg
bricked sidewalks

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/DSCI0137.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/DSCI0112.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/DSCI0125-1.jpg

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http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/DSCI0141.jpg

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Usually the main or major highway through the town is where the CBD/downtown area is located. Rarely do businesses and other establishments situate themselves on the periphery of such. That makes these small to medium sized locales a "one-road" city/town center.

Usually the main or major highway through the town is where the CBD/downtown area is located. Rarely do businesses and other establishments situate themselves on the periphery of such. That makes these small to medium sized locales a "one-road" city/town center.

San Fernando's growth has gone beyond the historic core. Regional malls like SM-Pampanga and Robinson's Starmills having located themselves by the NLEX. It has also started forming a conurbation with neighboring Angeles City. I guess the damages wrought by Mount Pinatubo, which flooded the city center, is partly responsible for this outward thrust. The city center remains vibrant though.

Iloilo City's downtown was the manifestation of opulence and economic prosperity during the late Spanish and American Colonial Period because of being the transhipment port and urban center of the once most important produce of the Philippine Islands, the sugarcane and its products.

Calle Real or currently known as JM Basa Street was and still is the city's financial downtown and hub despite the trend is now going outwards the old city centre (the new CBD is moving towards the Diversion Road and old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao District).

In order for Calle Real to not share the same fate of Escolta of Manila, the city government is actively promoting adaptive reuse and conservation to the old establishments in Calle Real Heritage Zone (which now includes JM Basa, Plaza Libertad, Aldeguer, Guanco, Arsenal and Iznart Streets) which most of the buildings here have art deco, art noveau, Venetian inspired which are of pre-war vintage.

By the way, the first photos were taken Sunday morning...:D

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/22/photos/63/600x600/32.JPG/P1130143.JPG?et=rT3EBqDNjATTliSNlzt17A&nmid=50702938

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http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/25/photos/63/600x600/29.JPG/P1130114.JPG?et=A%2Cl%2CG3KnQlY0%2CljFKJQlGg&nmid=50702938

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/24/photos/63/600x600/30.JPG/P1130141.JPG?et=%2BzTmXorIk158HUdGZl5mrw&nmid=50702938

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/21/photos/63/600x600/31.JPG/P1130142.JPG?et=jl18cItNGdfL4%2C2iO62QBg&nmid=50702938

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/23/photos/63/600x600/33.JPG/P1130144.JPG?et=7nCrFLayy65MAkvw%2BrsbOg&nmid=50702938

Iloilo City Central Market
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/25/photos/63/600x600/27.JPG/P1130073.JPG?et=Ux5oqP9EwBrpCRMkTv7mgg&nmid=50702938

City Hall Annex (now back as COA Building--formerly Elizalde y Cia Building)
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/26/photos/63/600x600/25.JPG/P1130113.JPG?et=u5ZXc5RhBZ%2BgloIAY8MDXw&nmid=50702938

More of Calle Real
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/17/photos/63/600x600/9.JPG/P1140010.JPG?et=MEWzE9vTp2waQ4mN9gmZ7A&nmid=50702938

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/22/photos/63/600x600/44.JPG/P1130156.JPG?et=Dg%2C8wRgWojCCcI6jIx5Bjg&nmid=50702938

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/20/photos/63/600x600/45.JPG/P1130293.JPG?et=Sat6qO%2BNJnkRaZgPIKa26A&nmid=50702938

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/63/600x600/64/IMGP0914.JPG?et=jqnPXI2oxyEvGDpdS%2B%2CEXA&nmid=50702938

Arroyo Fountain
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/86/600x600/2/IMGP0743.JPG?et=g7Xm3sCOnbTjNimsB38SDQ&nmid=62867541

Plazoleta Gay
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/130/600x600/21/CalleReal00021.jpg?et=ePN3j2qidmUVlR8yc6WZlQ&nmid=71942489

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/130/600x600/43/CalleReal00042.jpg?et=JmmLoQwWBArmqAHEhnYRLw&nmid=71942489

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/6/photos/130/600x600/2/CalleReal00002.jpg?et=ZDBbvpDFBKB%2CSsxyMJwA0Q&nmid=71942489

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/6/photos/130/600x600/4/CalleReal00004.jpg?et=JQDaMLGBcUi3g6yO89RrcQ&nmid=71942489

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/6/photos/130/600x600/6/CalleReal00006.jpg?et=NlmewNPsCADbGCQdtvXy9w&nmid=71942489

The Old Casa Real (Old Provincial Capitol) and The Arroyo Fountain
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/87/600x600/10/IMGP0918.JPG?et=JOICSHYPaC0v7yWan%2BCIoQ&nmid=62870150

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/16/photos/64/600x600/61/P1140083.JPG?et=XmPu97d%2BuLb8WTW0CHrhkg&nmid=50704371

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/17/photos/64/600x600/62/P1140084.JPG?et=iCVJvpJHxHGv5ctLJvzpOg&nmid=50704371

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/82/IMGP4982.JPG?et=c%2C3%2BH3Q3KmEfk3PsO8zOFQ&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/77/IMGP4981.JPG?et=GB%2BOlKHBz1XWK5bPO9WHYA&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/81/IMGP4983.JPG?et=rf3UPmWCasOJ9qgSraLJRg&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/79/IMGP4986.JPG?et=GeBitjfxX4IkOwSx8h8TAg&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/76/IMGP4988.JPG?et=O7s7OMxHFSLGSXpTDP4TIQ&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/78/IMGP4987.JPG?et=xno6IqvwzJ1uQ8c%2BTYJLSw&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/14/photos/152/500x500/37/IMGP4996.JPG?et=j7ZBFsc6YvUg%2CAl%2BzzavbA&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/14/photos/152/500x500/36/IMGP4995.JPG?et=tjZJT4tzk0bV2clrdYbjGA&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/14/photos/152/500x500/38/IMGP4997.JPG?et=%2CwJVOsx1OmGYUNJPIGOmBg&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/75/IMGP4989.JPG?et=uwFQfk6cdIF2PB4TzOS%2Cfw&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/72/IMGP4992.JPG?et=Hbtwxvk2JgCooeTWX80cGA&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/74/IMGP4990.JPG?et=6eom2XuLgdy74Ufwol2qNg&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/65/IMGP4999.JPG?et=MlVPWAlFolq%2BreIVL1Lhjw&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/14/photos/152/500x500/42/IMGP5001.JPG?et=gAebQWxl26yFh9ax5uiZ%2Bg&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/71/IMGP4993.JPG?et=o8yxnjW91dkiwOyL68gq8w&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/70/IMGP4994.JPG?et=BuuusXPY%2BnteKlPNrHfBZQ&nmid=155730623

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/152/500x500/66/IMGP4998.JPG?et=W4v088VuLjbgzpniamXSzQ&nmid=155730623

sayang ang Calle Real sa Iloilo... they should do something about those Establishment signs as those unsightly electrical posts and wires.

sayang ang Calle Real sa Iloilo... they should do something about those Establishment signs as those unsightly electrical posts and wires.

Actually they do are unsightly but not sayang. It will be "sayang" if these edificed disappeared without any effort in preseravation.

Right now, the local heritage council is upon near completion of the guidelines of the signboards. Thats already one step towards heritage conservation and sustainability.

Since 2003, this section has been undergoing feasibility studies and projects. Again, heritage conservation here in the Philippines is painstakingly tedious. You cannot just convert Calle Real or Calle Colon in Cebu to become Melaka or Calle Crisologo overnight. This is still the downtown of Iloilo City and taking away businesses that are thriving there is not an easy task...because for a cityscape to be effective, it has supposed to have a business including in it. The school of adaptive reuse.

Regulations would be implemented. Its a good thing though that this area has been declared as heritage site by the local city government and they are pushing it for national recognition from NHI/NCCA.

So I say, "sayang" is not an appropriate word...because it has never been too late to save and preserve these evidences as efforts are on its way. ;)

THE HEART OF BACOLOD CITY

Luzuriaga Corner Araneta Sts.
http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/galler56.jpg

Gonzaga St.
http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/icon27.jpg

sayang ang Calle Real sa Iloilo... they should do something about those Establishment signs as those unsightly electrical posts and wires.

^^ Tama! they should do something with that unsightly electrical wires because it destroys the beautiful Architecture of those century old buildings...when i we went to iloilo i got to pass by these street and sayang kasi pangit tignan un mga electrical wires na yan...its distracting..

^^ Tama! they should do something with that unsightly electrical wires because it destroys the beautiful Architecture of those century old buildings...when i we went to iloilo i got to pass by these street and sayang kasi pangit tignan un mga electrical wires na yan...its distracting..
Hehehe!!! Like sinong hindi magagalit sa mga wires na yan! :lol: :bash:

Anyway, another thing to consider burying the cables is the cost. Sabi daw ng Transco one kilometer = 4 million pesos daw...baka wala pang tongpats yan...:lol:

Yeah...I agree...Spag wires are an eyesore....but what old downtown in the Philippines does not have these? I hope we could replicate it as well.

Much of us here in SSC deal with the new and sometimes the suburban part of the city or known as "uptown." But what about the old city centers or poblaciones (town centers) or much known colloquially as "downtown."

In this thread, you can showcase the downtown of your city or town (baka pwede pa ngang barangay eh or district centers) may it showcase both benign or vice-strewn (as most old Philippine city centers are defined) faces of the core of urbanity in your locale.

The term "uptown" doesn't necessary mean the suburban part of the city as with the case of lets say Uptown Manhattan or Uptown Houston.

I also look at Quezon City as the uptown part of Metro Manila. And the heart of QC is still part of Metro Manila's city centre. Just like Makati's downtown position, Ortigas' midtown position and Manila's capital position. :)

Metro Manila on the other hand has several downtowns both old and new. I always look at the area around Intramuros and Quiapo as the old downtown while Makati is the new one. This is the case of most large cities where the centre of business, culture and economic activity are concentrated in several areas.

Anyway, too much of that, Baguio's downtown area lies within Session Road.

^^ Well...were not strict into that...just show us the old city centers or poblaciones would do it. :)

Anyway, here are pictures of Baguio's city centre that I took 2 years ago.

This here is argubly the city's landmark building
http://www.pbase.com/wanchtography/image/72463897/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/wanchtography/image/72464518/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/wanchtography/image/72766449/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/wanchtography/image/72766497/original.jpg

no offense but the mountain of baguio in the picture looks like a pile of trash.
i hope they plant trees in that area to lessen the bad view

Lucena City Overhead by: Mr. Paolo Obcemane
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5908/qave2jj7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/1696/qave3fj4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/424/qave4ou6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/1496/qave5iv4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Unitop
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5688/lcc3qb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Yamaha
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9254/lcc6ud0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Luisa's and Lucena Holistic Spa and Gym
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9880/lcc10ot5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Enriquez Street
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9017/lcc5vk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Bustling ML Tagarao Street
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/7103/lcc4qm1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
M.H.Del Pilar Street
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/7711/lccpu9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Quezon Avenue , Photo Credit to: Lucentino
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/5428/qavepw7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Merchan Street
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/2928/qave1iu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Chinatown-Davao

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/6178/12202008358de2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp299/PengHok/IMG_0193.jpg

http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp299/PengHok/IMG_0194.jpg

http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp299/PengHok/IMG_0192.jpg

Chinatown Davao ....

2nd Arch
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2262/reco0132sa0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

DCLA puro pure chinese nagtitinda didto :D

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3548/reco0134sv6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2919/reco0135oo4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1332/reco0136th4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Heritage bldgs. in Davao Chinatown

Davao Chinese Baptist Church
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/4849/churchhi0.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6117/reco0042gp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3311/reco0044jp5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

abandoned R.O.C.(Republic of China) Consulate bldg.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9264/image298yh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/9174/image299lx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^
...very clean...

Bacolod's downtown

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/IMG_0414.jpg
Locsin street

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/nearcentralmarketbacolodheyjoe07.jpg
street beside gaisano main downtown
(by heyjoe)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/gatuslaostbacolod.jpg
gatuslao street

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/DSC04955.jpg
araneta street

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/DSC00301.jpg
luzurriaga street

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/cbd5.jpg
luzurriaga street,,,bandstand during masskara season

Downtown Tuguegarao in front of Paseo Reale courtesy of our youtuber friend mybigbearron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXCSsNrf0J4&feature=PlayList&p=F7E753D2A1857B81&playnext=1&index=31

Looking at all the photos posted so far, I surmise that most major Philippine cities/towns outside Metro Manila have narrow streets, people walking, street vendors, bottle-neck traffic, and electrical wires galore! :lol:

Looking at all the photos posted so far, I surmise that most major Philippine cities/towns outside Metro Manila have narrow streets, people walking, street vendors, bottle-neck traffic, and electrical wires galore! :lol:

Well...same case within MetroManila as well...Product of Spanish reducciones except in some newer cities and towns...

For example:
General Santos City's downtown has this:
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/29/PioneerAve-GenSan.jpg?et=yPp%2BL9ooEKB1gxYQuPJfXw&nmid=21223759

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/30/BernieMack14.jpg?et=zSae1hfLsvUTfzwLooyNrQ&nmid=21223759

Although the old Dadiangas township which is located at the eastern shores of Silway River still has those narrow roads yet the whole downtown area has city streets at least 4 lanes wide including ROW and main avenues to as much as 6-8 lanes.

Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat and Koronadal City, South Cotabato respectively
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/2/Tacurong-Roundball.jpg?et=PRtUBHHxLTc0TlXyiUUVGA&nmid=21223759

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/68/DSCF0089.jpg?et=FjpGJLhuzKJVfiAtS4%2CRjg&nmid=21223759


^^ These cities, particularly in SouthCentral Mindanao, were made during the division of lands all throughout Mindanao, during the American Colonial Era. Fashioned with wider roads and much organized and accurate land division, these "agricultural colonies" were planned...Usually in Cotabato towns, one major town is sometimes incomplete without a "roundball" or rotundas/roundabouts.

You may see the difference from Spanish colonial, American colonial and post war poblacion..although there are some certain aspects that really makes it a "Philippine downtown" poblacion.

http://images.ricmaniquis.multiply.com/image/38/photos/242/1200x1200/8/-RPM1485-copy-1.JPG?et=VfhOx3%2Cdyie2Vj5keTg4tQ&nmid=73765072

This is the oldest part of Baguio- The Session Road- Mount Mary Hill Area... which is flanked by Burnham Park in Th East.

http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/pics/5732.jpg

Rush Hour traffic jam in Harrison Road- one of the oldest streets in Baguio.

^^
...nice pic...

waaaa, pati sa baguio may billboard na din! waaaaaa

Downtown Area of DUMAGUETE CITY
Dumaguete City is also currently developing the Dumaguete Business and IT Park.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/2704782091_4fa8e8db9e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2704787399_2f8ef6c661.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2704780689_a5a781f731.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/416922269_fb7692aa62.jpg?v=0

My constant complaint....damn electrical wires! :gaah:

My constant complaint....damn electrical wires! :gaah:

...and the ever annoying tricycles:lol:

DAVAO CITY

DAMOSA GATEWAY in LANANG

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/dam4.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/dam2.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/dam1.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/dam6.jpg

Lanang is a developing downtown center in Davao City. The Future site of SM Lanang, Robinsons Cybergate, K7 Strip and many more. Those pics above is the new Damosa Gateway. Photos by Junax

Davao City
Downtown Maintenance

This is the newly asphalted street in Davao City. Davao City is currently undergoing major street rehab....hehe

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_409918196l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_280896130l.jpg

Davao streets mostly in downtown are planned to be fully asphalted within this year. Photos by Il Tenore

This one below is still a work in progress......

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_192380108l.jpg

that's good. asphalted roads looks clean and soft.CDO also has asphalted roads as I see it on photos here in SSC.

Here is my pulsating hometown, Daraga, Albay, poised to become the fourth city of the province.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture021.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture022.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Viewfromtheoverpass.jpg

Street scenes--Tabaco City, first district of Albay

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture022-2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture023-1.jpg


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture024.jpg

^^
...very progressive...

May fiesta ba?

Tacloban City

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/tacloban003.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/tacloban004.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/tacloban005.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/tacloban006.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/tacloban007.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/marsofalltimes/tacloban008.jpg

Davao City
Downtown Maintenance

This is the newly asphalted street in Davao City. Davao City is currently undergoing major street rehab....hehe

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_409918196l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_280896130l.jpg

Davao streets mostly in downtown are planned to be fully asphalted within this year. Photos by Il Tenore

This one below is still a work in progress......

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_192380108l.jpg

btw it's asphalt overlayed on cemented road :cheers:

^^That's good to know. An asphalt pavement would just be a virtual waste of money and time without a concrete or solid base.

no offense but the mountain of baguio in the picture looks like a pile of trash.
i hope they plant trees in that area to lessen the bad view

I agree!!! Even those jeeps infront of the building. And those establishments looks like some shanties to me... It ruins Baguio image.

I've only been to a few places in the Philippines but IMO, Davao City downtown is the most pleasant downtown area I have even been to... The place is so vibrant, safe and so convenient to go to. You'd find good food, great hotels and cool hang-out places in the area. By far, the People's Park in D.C. is the best, most honest government project I have ever seen.

^^

You've just made 4.5M (give or take) dabawenyo souls walk on air with your comment. Salamat! :cheers:

Street scenes--Tabaco City, first district of Albay

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture022-2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture023-1.jpg


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/freaky_jerry/Picture024.jpg
nice roads!:okay:

Downtown Davao
Monteverde St.
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_714422523l.jpg

Chinatown Arc
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_308416055l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_615345990l.jpg

168 Mall
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_246198465l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_849068388l.jpg

kSM Plaza
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_964595264l.jpg

"Chinatown" R. Magsaysay Ave.
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_427605256l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_506310321l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_890443214l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_847124475l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_888734227l.jpg

Claveria St.
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_125130745l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_832335873l.jpg

:):):)

Cool Photo of the busy Carbon Public Market

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/7750531.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/6710015.jpg

COLON, Cebu City - The Oldest downtown in the Philippines


http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1181198.jpg

More of downtown colon...


old Art deco building
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/388882369_44318fba42.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/7/7667998_756c2c5cce.jpg?v=0


Festive downtown colon


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2701925191_6105c514c3.jpg?v=0


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1430/1462291161_44dece1adb.jpg?v=0



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1378/1462291151_f09588b8d0.jpg?v=0


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1225/1462291167_7b7334a01e.jpg?v=0


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/1462291171_663b5e0dda.jpg?v=0

More of downtown colon...


old Art deco building
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/388882369_44318fba42.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/7/7667998_756c2c5cce.jpg?v=0


Festive downtown colon


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2701925191_6105c514c3.jpg?v=0


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1430/1462291161_44dece1adb.jpg?v=0



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1378/1462291151_f09588b8d0.jpg?v=0


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1225/1462291167_7b7334a01e.jpg?v=0


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/1462291171_663b5e0dda.jpg?v=0

...Clean:)...

colon at morning

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02229.jpg

at noon

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02474.jpg

at night.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02577.jpg

jones avenue facing downtown
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02471.jpg

More of downtown colon...





http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1225/1462291167_7b7334a01e.jpg?v=0




Mongkok, Hongkong? nah.. downtown Cebu City, bai. hehehe..

Cebu City really is a Photogenic City! :)

^^ Looks more like Bangkok to me, rather than Hong Kong.

Butuan City

http://images.dodongflores.multiply.com/image/18/photos/22/500x500/10/CFCardRecoveredFiles009.JPEG?et=KZlU76ezTZR71DRHxU%2C7Cg&nmid=13818110

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1171/1353665352_5b715176f3.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2365847456_246a0bf130.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/2365847694_93564601fb.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2368636396_2942c81fc0.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2755896853_60e8d577c2.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2365847820_f838fd688b.jpg?v=0

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/000_0040-2.jpg?t=1232852718

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/BUTUAN-5-1.jpg?t=1232853184

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/butun-1.jpg?t=1232853483

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/2038882298_215ae7936b.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1003/1348881367_9921fee178.jpg?v=0

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p371/iamrul/9593153.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/116440286.jpg

R. Magsaysay Avenue known as "Chinatown" in Davao City

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_427605256l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_506310321l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_890443214l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_847124475l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_888734227l.jpg

Is this now the chinatown in davao...before when i was there they still dont have this so called china town...its cool that they made this place as such! :cheers: i hope they will also have a sort of chinese structure at the intrance, like the ones in chinatown manila...

DAVAO CITY
CHINATOWN NIGHT MARKET

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/P1020727.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/P1020728.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/P1020729.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/P1020730.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/P1020732.jpg

Photos by reancorbz84

Davao City
People's Park at the Center of Downtown Davao

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7215/30965595977f7db63de8bur4.jpg

Going to Suburbs in Davao City

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/nick4ubaby/DSC02726.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/nick4ubaby/DSC02714.jpg

^^^^Davao city is look like Davao city to me....!:hammer:

The old downtown of Iloilo City

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/panocallefiasco.jpg

^^^^Davao city is look like Davao city to me....!:hammer:

uuuuuhhh....what do you mean?

The old downtown of Iloilo City

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/panocallefiasco.jpg

wow ang ganda nang calle real..sana marestore at ma revitalize na yung lugar para mas lalong gumanda...iba talaga ang feeling sa mga old cities...meron talagang charm kahit hindi pa gaano ka organize...kaya favorite ko talaga ang city nang Iloilo, Cebu, Vigan and Manila...

DOWNTOWN DAVAO CITY

Ilustre St.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/Davao%20UC/DSC00059.jpg

Uyanguren St. (Chinatown)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2572784328_f8def8af51.jpg?v=0

during the Sinulog 2009

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3234230008_a662d5050e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3233378109_f8ea3e4c44.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3234224902_7564206c35.jpg?v=0

Apo View Hotel

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/klutz1030/Davao%20Scenes/Amul-Amul%202/DSC08880.jpg

Ateneo De Davao University

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/lagat_bucket/DSC03437.jpg

San Pedro Church

http://lh5.ggpht.com/rastamannetje/R25D9FGi9RI/AAAAAAAACl8/UnFhHLG2UOQ/1084.jpg?imgmax=800

nice photos wadaboy..shots from different angle :okay:

Calle Real by Night of Iloilo City

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/320/600x600/9/CalleRealCNY009.jpg?et=HUMMymho6UzANNHm0YICHQ&nmid=184999851

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/320/600x600/10/CalleRealCNY010.jpg?et=rFJ2fIPOCoxpiMGo8h0bzg&nmid=184999851

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/320/600x600/12/CalleRealCNY012.jpg?et=3A9oxj%2Bzo1gBykOSrKCz2A&nmid=184999851

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/320/600x600/13/CalleRealCNY013.jpg?et=8FUUCRkAApKExcUWEKgPqQ&nmid=184999851

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/320/600x600/14/CalleRealCNY014.jpg?et=Sei1r5rCeMhDUQliF0TDRg&nmid=184999851

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/320/600x600/15/CalleRealCNY015.jpg?et=QEWSFDG2qnjqVxqwW6%2COWw&nmid=184999851

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/320/600x600/17/CalleRealCNY017.jpg?et=qBm7PYYUfNetwhogLMSCbg&nmid=184999851

DOWNTOWN DAVAO CITY

Ilustre St.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/Davao%20UC/DSC00059.jpg

Uyanguren St. (Chinatown)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2572784328_f8def8af51.jpg?v=0

your uptown is the pryce business park and upcoming ayala mall area ba din?

sa cebu the ayala area became the uptown as well as the financial district din kasi. but well, were talking of the downtown naman pala, hehhe

may thread na ba for uptown?

your uptown is the pryce business park and upcoming ayala mall area ba din?

sa cebu the ayala area became the uptown as well as the financial district din kasi. but well, were talking of the downtown naman pala, hehhe

may thread na ba for uptown?

Allow me.. @PINOYmeat, the whole Central Business District in Davao City is locally termed as downtown. Dako kaayo ang land area sa Davao City. If you are at the outskirts i.e. Calinan, Tibunco and Toril which are still within the boundaries of Davao City, the locals would refer to the Poblacion area as downtown; as it should be... Sa amo-a sa Toledo City, we refer to the downtown area as Poblacion which I think is Spanish for City Center (Sakto ba?). Sa Cebu raman siguro nang nagbuhat-buhat ug midtown ug uptown nga terms. Ambot kung sa uban lugar naa ba pud nang midtown ug uptown kay sa akong nahibaw-an, the Makati Business Park is still downtown Makati man.

Ganahan kaayo ko anang area sa Illustre St., People's park ug Rizal St. sa downtown sa Davao. Katong didto ko Davao puyo akong nawong naa pirmi makit-an diha dapita... hehehehe!

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_290572001l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_594011496l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_383578540l.jpg
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http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_686848192l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_305050127l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_945192647l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_155075115l.jpg

originally Posted by Il Tenore:
Davao City

San Pedro Church

http://lh5.ggpht.com/rastamannetje/R25D9FGi9RI/AAAAAAAACl8/UnFhHLG2UOQ/1084.jpg?imgmax=800

parang kalderong nasunog:lol:

The old downtown of Iloilo City

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/panocallefiasco.jpg

parang baclaran o quiapo..

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_290572001l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_594011496l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_383578540l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_836119196l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_686848192l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_305050127l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_945192647l.jpg
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/36/05/18195063/1_155075115l.jpg

originally Posted by Il Tenore:
Davao City

...Ang linis ng Davao City...

Well...same case within MetroManila as well...Product of Spanish reducciones except in some newer cities and towns...

For example:
General Santos City's downtown has this:
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/29/PioneerAve-GenSan.jpg?et=yPp%2BL9ooEKB1gxYQuPJfXw&nmid=21223759

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/30/BernieMack14.jpg?et=zSae1hfLsvUTfzwLooyNrQ&nmid=21223759

Although the old Dadiangas township which is located at the eastern shores of Silway River still has those narrow roads yet the whole downtown area has city streets at least 4 lanes wide including ROW and main avenues to as much as 6-8 lanes.

Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat and Koronadal City, South Cotabato respectively
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/2/Tacurong-Roundball.jpg?et=PRtUBHHxLTc0TlXyiUUVGA&nmid=21223759

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/23/600x600/68/DSCF0089.jpg?et=FjpGJLhuzKJVfiAtS4%2CRjg&nmid=21223759


^^ These cities, particularly in SouthCentral Mindanao, were made during the division of lands all throughout Mindanao, during the American Colonial Era. Fashioned with wider roads and much organized and accurate land division, these "agricultural colonies" were planned...Usually in Cotabato towns, one major town is sometimes incomplete without a "roundball" or rotundas/roundabouts.

You may see the difference from Spanish colonial, American colonial and post war poblacion..although there are some certain aspects that really makes it a "Philippine downtown" poblacion.

I noticed that, too, when I went to Koronadal last year. I was so impressed with the zoning. The streets are really wide, and the houses/establishments are 6-8 meters away from the shoulder.

I really think, the Americans did a pretty good work in terms of planning for these cities. Ganda!

^^ Nice pics guys!

^^Driving query:
A solid yellow line indicates a two-way divided highway but why is it that all vehicles are going in the same direction in the Davao pictures above? :nuts::nuts::nuts: Foreigners driving these streets will surely get confused by this. Don't we adhere to international rules on driving and highway standards?

Oo nga no? why like that? hehehe...SUPER observant ka talaga...

^^I dunno... nagtaka nga ako eh! parang hindi talaga tama..

diba it's supposed to be all white lane marks kasi di naman opposite..why kaya? hmmm...

yah, yesterday on the interview (TV Patrol Mindanao), according to them nagkamali daw talaga ang Engr.. this week lng kc yan na paint..

Allow me.. @PINOYmeat, the whole Central Business District in Davao City is locally termed as downtown. Dako kaayo ang land area sa Davao City. If you are at the outskirts i.e. Calinan, Tibunco and Toril which are still within the boundaries of Davao City, the locals would refer to the Poblacion area as downtown; as it should be... Sa amo-a sa Toledo City, we refer to the downtown area as Poblacion which I think is Spanish for City Center (Sakto ba?). Sa Cebu raman siguro nang nagbuhat-buhat ug midtown ug uptown nga terms. Ambot kung sa uban lugar naa ba pud nang midtown ug uptown kay sa akong nahibaw-an, the Makati Business Park is still downtown Makati man.

Ganahan kaayo ko anang area sa Illustre St., People's park ug Rizal St. sa downtown sa Davao. Katong didto ko Davao puyo akong nawong naa pirmi makit-an diha dapita... hehehehe!




I like the way you explained it sir...
True yan about Davao... I could not consider any place to be similar to Cebu's uptown area. Davao's business area is so spread out.

when we where kids noong early 70's sa Cebu... we didn't call Mango Ave. as uptown area.. but na notice ko noong early 80's naman... naging uptown area ang name dyan... I remember a building or establishment named Gaw Uptown near the Osmena Circle...
now there is midtown... by the way... where is there area?
I hope I can visit Cebu again... I've been to Cebu for a loooong time...

^^
And we like what is happening in Cebu where business enclaves are developed either by design or simply by reason of flourishing business in the area to which their midtown or uptown can be an example in this premise. Davao being so wide and spacious developed in its own unique way - at least in reference to Cebu. We have our own downtown and we have known and called it as such since as far as I could remember but we never did refer to Matina, Agdao, Buhangin, Bajada-Lanang areas as midtown or uptown. It's just so sprawling that these terminologies are not as apt to be applied to it. Even our downtown is so wide that up until last year when we had the ordinance to officially make a Chinatown, I din't know what to call the Uyanguren area or whether it was still part of the already very wide downtown area.

^^
And we like what is happening in Cebu where business enclaves are developed either by design or simply by reason of flourishing business in the area to which their midtown or uptown can be an example in this premise. Davao being so wide and spacious developed in its own unique way - at least in reference to Cebu. We have our own downtown and we have known and called it as such since as far as I could remember but we never did refer to Matina, Agdao, Buhangin, Bajada-Lanang areas as midtown or uptown. It's just so sprawling that these terminologies are not as apt to be applied to it. Even our downtown is so wide that up until last year when we had the ordinance to officially make a Chinatown, I din't know what to call the Uyanguren area or whether it was still part of the already very wide downtown area.


Actually, the whole stretch from Carbon, to Manalili St, to MJ Cuenco Ave.,to the Pier Area up to the T. Padilla Area or to Lorega ( North Area)..while from the Colon St. to Magallanes up to Taboan and Cebu South Bus Terminal turning to the Elizabeth Mall in the South, and to the whole stretch of Sanciangco to Kamagayan Area connecting to the T. Padilla Area is already equivalent to the whole downtown area of Davao City.

Why it is called uptown in the Fuente Osmena to Capitol, Mango Ave, Capitol Site is because it is located in an upper portion of the city or hilly area. The midtown area refers to the new emerging commercial districts such as Ayala, SM, Banilad Area etc.. where it is not apart of neither the downtown or the uptown area.

I guess, this is coined to set apart and probably give distinction to respective growth areas.

Actually, the whole stretch from Carbon, to Manalili St, to MJ Cuenco Ave.,to the Pier Area up to the T. Padilla Area or to Lorega ( North Area)..while from the Colon St. to Magallanes up to Taboan and Cebu South Bus Terminal turning to the Elizabeth Mall in the South, and to the whole stretch of Sanciangco to Kamagayan Area connecting to the T. Padilla Area is already equivalent to the whole downtown area of Davao City.

Why it is called uptown in the Fuente Osmena to Capitol, Mango Ave, Capitol Site is because it is located in an upper portion of the city or hilly area. The midtown area refers to the new emerging commercial districts such as Ayala, SM, Banilad Area etc.. where it is not apart of neither the downtown or the uptown area.

I guess, this is coined to set apart and probably give distinction to respective growth areas.

Hehehe... I always thought that Cebu Business Park, Lahug and Banilad were the uptown areas while Capitol, Fuente Osmeña up until CNU and Abellana is the midtown area. The downtown area of course is the whole area covering the "Old Cebu City". And I don't have the slightest idea on which part of town SM City belongs to--Reclaimed town? hehehe Reclamation Area...

From a few old maps I have seen in some Cebu threads, the N.Bacalso Avenue or the South Highway is what actually separates Downtown Cebu which is Old Cebu from the rest of the newer portions of the City.

Going around town you could notice which colonization period that part of town belonged to. So basically, when we talk about downtown Cebu, we are just referring to the old Cebu, right? The one done during the Spanish era. Then we'd have midtown which is done during the American Colonization by which evidences are shown from the architecture of the buildings in this area, the width of its road and pedestrian walkways. And then finally the uptown area which was done when the Philippines was already an independent nation.

ADD ON: Consequently, although not on purpose, the separation of classes in Cebu has also become obvious. The masses are mostly found in the downtown area, the working class in the midtown area, and the upper class---where else?

Hehehe... I always thought that Cebu Business Park, Lahug and Banilad were the uptown areas while Capitol, Fuente Osmeña up until CNU and Abellana is the midtown area. The downtown area of course is the whole area covering the "Old Cebu City". And I don't have the slightest idea on which part of town SM City belongs to--Reclaimed town? hehehe Reclamation Area...

From a few old maps I have seen in some Cebu threads, the N.Bacalso Avenue or the South Highway is what actually separates Downtown Cebu which is Old Cebu from the rest of the newer portions of the City.

Going around town you could notice which colonization period that part of town belonged to. So basically, when we talk about downtown Cebu, we are just referring to the old Cebu, right? The one done during the Spanish era. Then we'd have midtown which is done during the American Colonization by which evidences are shown from the architecture of the buildings in this area, the width of its road and pedestrian walkways. And then finally the uptown area which was done when the Philippines was already an independent nation.

ADD ON: Consequently, although not on purpose, the separation of classes in Cebu has also become obvious. The masses are mostly found in the downtown area, the working class in the midtown area, and the upper class---where else?

That's also how I always saw this uptown, midtown, downtown scheme. :) And Banilad and SM are of course not part of this scheme. They belong to other categories. :lol:

In Cebu... Colon area is downtown because in the map, it is located in the southern part of the city (Geographically speaking)...Ayala/Banilad is uptown because it is located in the Northern Part oof the City (Geographically speaking)... That's it;)

In Cebu... Colon area is downtown because in the map, it is located in the southern part of the city (Geographically speaking)...Ayala/Banilad is uptown because it is located in the Northern Part oof the City (Geographically speaking)... That's it;)

now that cebu city has used up the directional adverbs down, mid, and up, any new urban development within the city can make use of the nouns east, west, south and north. as in city east, city west, city south, city north or even city central or the reverse combination east city, west city, south city, north city, central city :lol:

i like the pics of downtowns, theyre so gritty...good for arthouse films :D

now that cebu city has used up the directional adverbs down, mid, and up, any new urban development within the city can make use of the nouns east, west, south and north. as in city east, city west, city south, city north or even city central or the reverse combination east city, west city, south city, north city, central city :lol:

actually.. pede.. because anyway.. there is no official recognitions by ordinances naming areas for downtown, midtown or uptown..

why not suggest it to the city council of cebu, anyway..

Some panoramic shots of downtown Iloilo City

Panoramic view of Downtown Iloilo City as viewed from Iloilo Provincial Capitol
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/panoramailoweb1.jpg

The Aduana (Customs House) and Muelle Loney in Downtown Iloilo City
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/panoramamuelle.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/panoraduana.jpg

Super ganda nang Iloilo!

Nice pictures

ganda talaga

This is the newest shopping arcade in Downtown Davao.

PASEO DE LEGASPI

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/3.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/2-2.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/1-1.jpg

Rizal Park in Davao City

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4253/dsc0935sm5.jpg

San Pedro Street, Davao City

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7891/dsc0932pg8.jpg

a view from Agdao Flyover, Agdao District, Davao City...

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/agd.jpg
photo by: @junax

a view from Agdao Flyover, Agdao District, Davao City...

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/agd.jpg
photo by: @junax

Hindi na malungkot tingnan and Marco Polo hotel kasi may Central Park Hotel na. Mas maganda siguro pag natapos na ang Central Park Hotel, ganda na nang angle from Agdao flyover no....

Hindi lang yan. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali e tinuturo pa rin naman sa school ang Pilipino hehe. Anyway back to topic, masakit din sa matang tingnan ang traffic diyan sa Davao. Dapat maayos yan bago matulad sa Metro Manila.

yup mukhang disorganize nga tingnan dyan sa pic ang agdao. pero moving traffic naman yan hindi traffic jam so ok lang :).

actually parang version ng quiapo yang agdao district ng davao kung vehicular traffic ang paguusapan, magulo hehe. it is about 3 to 4 kilometers away from central downtown and in this picture going south ito patungong chinatown/downtown:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/agd.jpg

going north naman ito patungong panabo city:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/agd2.jpg

nag stop ako sa ibabaw ng flyover just to get these pics, bad cheetah.:lol:

the aerial view of davao now is like cebu 10 years ago. so the only way to go is UP. keep the developments coming for davao city.


thank you...but i pressumed you are only pertaining to this district or to this part of the city, that pic is only Agdao District, which is really kilometers and kilometers away from the downtown area of davao...:)

thank you...but i pressumed you are only pertaining to this district or to this part of the city, that pic is only Agdao District, which is really kilometers and kilometers away from the downtown area of davao...:)

oh i know about the different business districts in davao so dugay dugay pa gyud na mapuno ug high rise.

oh i know about the different business districts in davao so dugay dugay pa gyud na mapuno ug high rise.

hastang luoya sa davao kung mapuno ug highrise, ayaw pod intawon. midrise like rome will do basta ok ang environment ug good ang quality of life pwede na.

^^ agree berns hehehe.

downtown davao...
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/down.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/down2-1.jpg