San Fernando City and La Union Province

[Lindenfeld]

Dear Ergit,

do you have an update on the airport development or even time schedules for the first flights?

I am back in SF and need to go to Manila in the next days. Why not catch the opening flight, hehehe....

Thanks in advance!

[dark_knight_detectve]

ARROYO'S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS (Transcript)
07/28/2008 | 11:26 PM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
2nd Regular Session of the 14th Congress
Republic of the Philippines
28 July 2008

Thank you, Speaker Nograles. Senate President Villar. Senators and Representatives. Vice President de Castro, President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen:

I address you today at a crucial moment in world history.

Just a few months ago, we ended 2007 with the strongest economic growth in a generation. Inflation was low, the peso strong and a million new jobs were created. We were all looking to a better, brighter future.

Because tough choices were made, kumikilos na ang bayan sa wakas. Malapit na sana tayo sa pagbalanse ng budget. We were retiring debts in great amounts, reducing the drag on our country’s development, habang namumuhunan sa taong bayan.

Biglang-bigla, nabaligtad ang ekonomiya ng mundo. Ang pagtalon ng presyo ng langis at pagkain ay nagbunsod ng pandaigdigan krisis, the worst since the Great Depression and the end of World War II. Some blame speculators moving billions of dollars from subprime mortgages to commodities like fuel and food. Others point of the very real surge in demand as millions of Chinese and Indians move up to the middle class.

Whatever the reasons, we are on a roller coaster ride of oil price hikes, high food prices and looming economic recession in the US and other markets. Uncertainty has moved like a terrible tsunami around the globe, wiping away gains, erasing progress.

This is a complex time that defies simple and easy solutions. For starters, it is hard to identify villains, unlike in the 1997 financial crisis. Everyone seems to be a victim, rich countries and poor, though certainly some can take more punishment than others.

To address these global challenges, we must go on building and buttressing bridges to allies around the world: to bring in the rice to feed our people, investments to create jobs; and to keep the peace and maintain stability in our country and the rest of the world. Yet even as we reach out to those who need, and who may need us, we strive for greater self-reliance.

Because tough choices were made, the global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared. Through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have the money to care for our people and pay for food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spikes.

Neither we nor anyone else in the world expected this day to come so soon but we prepared for it. For the guts not to flinch in the face of tough choices, I thank God. For the wisdom to recognize how needed you are, I thank, you Congress. For footing the bill, I thank the taxpayers.

The result has been, on the one hand, ito ang nakasalba sa bayan; and, on the other, more unpopularity for myself in the opinion polls. Yet, even unfriendly polls show self-rated poverty down to its 20-year low in 2007.

My responsibility as President is to take care to solve the problems we are facing now and to provide a vision and direction for how our nation should advance in the future.

Many in this great hall live privileged lives and exert great influence in public affairs. I am accessible to you, but I spend time every day with the underprivileged and under represented who cannot get a grip on their lives in the daily, all-consuming struggle to make ends meet.

Nag-aalala ako para sa naka-aawang maybahay na pasan ang pananagutan para sa buong pamilya. Nag-aalala ako para sa magsasakang nasa unang hanay ng pambansang produksyon ng pagkain ngunit nagsisikap pakanin ang pamilya. I care for hardworking students soon to graduate and wanting to see hope of good job and a career prospect here at home.

Nag-aalala ako para sa 41-year old na padre de pamilya na di araw-araw ang trabaho, at nag-aabala sa asawa at tatlong anak, at dapat bigyan ng higit pang pagkakakitaan at dangal. I care for our teachers who gave the greatest gift we ever received – a good education – still trying to pass on the same gift to succeeding generations. I care for our OFWs, famed for their skill, integrity and untiring labor, who send home their pay as the only way to touch loved ones so far away. Nagpupugay ako ngayon sa kanilang mga karaniwang Pilipino.

My critics say this is fiction, along with other facts and figures I cite today. I call it heroism though they don’t need our praise. Each is already a hero to those who matter most, their families.

I said this is a global crisis where everyone is a victim. But only few can afford to avoid, or pay to delay, the worst effects.

Many more have nothing to protect them from the immediate blunt force trauma of the global crisis. Tulad ninyo, nag-aalala ako para sa kanila. Ito ang mga taong bayan na dapat samahan natin. Not only because of their sacrifices for our country but because they are our countrymen.

How do we solve these many complex challenges?

Sa kanilang kalagayan, the answer must be special care and attention in this great hour of need.

First, we must have a targeted strategy with set of precise prescriptions to ease the price challenges we are facing.

Second, food self-sufficiency; less energy dependence; greater self-reliance in our attitude as a people and in our posture as a nation.

Third, short-term relief cannot be at the expense of long term reforms. These reforms will benefit not just the next generation of Filipinos, but the next President as well.

Napakahalaga ang Value Added Tax sa pagharap sa mga hamong ito.

Itong programa ang sagot sa mga problemang namana natin.

Una, mabawasan ang ating mga utang and shore up our fiscal independence.

Pangalawa, higit na pamumuhunan para mamamayan at imprastraktura.

Pangatlo, sapat na pondo para sa mga programang pangmasa.

Thus, the infrastructure links programmed for the our poorest provinces like Northern Samar: Lao-ang-Lapinig-Arteche, right now ay maputik, San Isidro-Lope de Vega; the rehabilitation of Maharlika in Samar.

Take VAT away and you and I abdicate our responsibility as leaders and pull the rug from under our present and future progress, which may be compromised by the global crisis.

Lalong lumakas ang tiwala ng mga investor dahil sa VAT. Mula P56.50 kada dolyar, lumakas ang piso hanggang P40.20 bago bumalik sa P44 dahil sa mga pabigat ng pangdaigdigang ekonomiya. Kung alisin ang VAT, hihina ang kumpiyansa ng negosyo, lalong tataas ang interes, lalong bababa ang piso, lalong mamahal ang bilihin.

Kapag ibinasura ang VAT sa langis at kuryente, ang mas makikinabang ay ang mga may kaya na kumukonsumo ng 84% ng langis at 90% ng kuryente habang mas masasaktan ang mahihirap na mawawalan ng P80 billion para sa mga programang pinopondohan ngayon ng VAT. Take away VAT and we strip our people of the means to ride out the world food and energy crisis.

We have come too far and made too many sacrifices to turn back now on fiscal reforms. Leadership is not about doing the first easy thing that comes to mind; it is about doing what is necessary, however hard.

The government has persevered, without flip-flops, in its much-criticized but irreplaceable policies, including oil and power VAT and oil deregulation.

Patuloy na gagamitin ng pamahalaan ang lumalago nating yaman upang tulungan ang mga pamilyang naghihirap sa taas ng bilihin at hampas ng bagyo, habang nagpupundar upang sanggahan ang bayan sa mga krisis sa hinaharap.

Para sa mga namamasada at namamasahe sa dyip, sinusugpo natin ang kotong at colorum upang mapataas ang kita ng mga tsuper. Si Federico Alvarez kumikita ng P200 a day sa kaniyang rutang Cubao-Rosario. Tinaas ito ng anti-kotong, anti-colorum ngayon P500 na ang kita niya. Iyan ang paraan kung paano napananatili ang dagdag-pasahe sa piso lamang. Halaga lang ng isang text.

Texting is a way of life. I asked the telecoms to cut the cost of messages between networks. They responded. It is now down to 50 centavos.

Noong Hunyo, nagpalabas tayo ng apat na bilyong piso mula sa VAT sa langis—dalawang bilyong pambayad ng koryente ng apat na milyong mahihirap, isang bilyon para college scholarship o pautang sa 70,000 na estudyanteng maralita; kalahating bilyong pautang upang palitan ng mas matipid na LPG, CNG o biofuel ang motor ng libu-libong jeepney; at kalahating bilyong pampalit sa fluorescent sa mga pampublikong lugar.

Kung mapapalitan ng fluorescent ang lahat ng bumbilya, makatitipid tayo ng lampas P2 billion.

Sa sunod na katas ng VAT, may P1 billion na pambayad ng kuryente ng mahihirap; kalahating bilyon para sa matatandang di sakop ng SSS o GSIS; kalahating bilyong kapital para sa pamilya ng mga namamasada; kalahating bilyon upang mapataas ang kakayahan at equipment ng mga munting ospital sa mga lalawigan. At para sa mga kalamidad, angkop na halaga.

We released P1 billion for the victims of typhoon Frank. We support a supplemental Western Visayas calamity budget from VAT proceeds, as a tribute to the likes of Rodney Berdin, age 13, of Barangay Rombang, Belison, Antique, who saved his mother, brother and sister from the raging waters of Sibalom River.

Mula sa buwang ito, wala nang income tax ang sumusweldo ng P200,000 o mas mababa sa isang taon – P12 billion na bawas-buwis para sa maralita at middle class. Maraming salamat, Congress.

Ngayong may P32 na commercial rice, natugunan na natin ang problema sa pagkain sa kasalukuyan. Nagtagumpay tayo dahil sa pagtutulungan ng buong bayan sa pagsasaka, bantay-presyo at paghihigpit sa price manipulation, sa masipag na pamumuno ni Artie Yap.

Sa mga LGU at religious groups na tumutulong dalhin ang NFA rice sa mahihirap, maraming salamat sa inyo.

Dahil sa subsidy, NFA rice is among the region’s cheapest. While we can take some comfort that our situation is better than many other nations, there is no substitute for solving the problem of rice and fuel here at home. In doing so, let us be honest and clear eyed – there has been a fundamental shift in global economics. The price of food and fuel will likely remain high. Nothing will be easy; the government cannot solve these problems over night. But, we can work to ease the near-term pain while investing in long-term solutions.

Since 2001, new irrigation systems for 146,000 hectares, including Malmar in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, Lower Agusan, Casecnan and Aulo in Nueva Ecija, Abulog-Apayao in Cagayan and Apayao, Addalam in Quirino and Isabela, among others, and the restoration of old systems on another 980,000 hectares have increased our nation’s irrigated land to a historic 1.5 million hectares.

Edwin Bandila, 48 years old, of Ugalingan, Carmen, North Cotabato, cultivated one hectare and harvested 35 cavans. Thirteen years na ginawa iyong Malmar. In my first State of the Nation Address, sabi ko kung hindi matapos iyon sa Setyembre ay kakanselahin ko ang kontrata, papapasukin ko ang engineering brigade, natapos nila. With Malamar, now he cultivates five hectares and produces 97 cavans per hectare. Mabuhay, Edwin! VAT will complete the San Roque-Agno River project.

The Land Bank has quadrupled loans for farmers and fisherfolk. That is fact not fiction. Check it. For more effective credit utilization, I instructed DA to revitalize farmers cooperatives.

We are providing seeds at subsidized prices to help our farmers.

Incremental Malampaya national revenues of P4 billion will go to our rice self-sufficiency program.

Rice production since 2000 increased an average of 4.07% a year, twice the population growth rate. By promoting natural planning and female education, we have curbed population growth to 2.04% during our administration, down from the 2.36 in the 1990’s, when artificial birth control was pushed. Our campaign spreads awareness of responsible parenthood regarding birth spacing. Long years of pushing contraceptives made it synonymous to family planning. Therefore informed choice should mean letting more couples, who are mostly Catholics, know about natural family planning.

From 1978 to 1981, nag-export tayo ng bigas. Hindi tumagal. But let’s not be too hard on ourselves. Panahon pa ng Kastila bumibili na tayo ng bigas sa labas. While we may know how to grow rice well, topography doesn’t always cooperate.

Nature did not gift us with a mighty Mekong like Thailand and Vietnam, with their vast and naturally fertile plains. Nature instead put our islands ahead of our neighbours in the path of typhoons from the Pacific. So, we import 10% of the rice we consume.

To meet the challenge of today, we will feed our people now, not later, and help them get through these hard times. To meet the challenges of tomorrow, we must become more self-reliant, self-sufficient and independent, relying on ourselves more than on the world.

Now we come to the future of agrarian reform.

There are those who say it is a failure, that our rice importations prove it. There are those who say it is a success—if only because anything is better than nothing. Indeed, people are happier owning the land they work, no matter what the difficulties.

Sa SONA noong 2001, sinabi ko, bawat taon, mamamahagi tayo ng dalawang daang libong ektarya sa reporma sa lupa: 100,000 hectares of private farmland and 100,000 of public farmland, including ancestral domains. Di hamak mahigit sa target ang naipamahagi natin sa nakaraang pitong taon: 854,000 hectares of private farmland, 797,000 of public farmland, and Certificates of Ancestral Domain for 525,000 hectares. Including, over a 100,000 hectares for Bugkalots in Quirino, Aurora, and Nueva Vizcaya. After the release of their CADT, Rosario Camma, Bugkalot chieftain, and now mayor of Nagtipunan, helped his 15,000-member tribe develop irrigation, plant vegetables and corn and achieve food sufficiency. Mabuhay, Chief!

Agrarian reform should not merely subdivide misery, it must raise living standards. Ownership raises the farmer from his but productivity will keep him on his feet.

Sinimula ng aking ama ang land reform noong 1963. Upang mabuo ito, the extension of CARP with reforms is top priority. I will continue to do all I can for the rural as well as urban poor. Ayaw natin na paglaya ng tenant sa landlord, mapapasa-ilalim naman sa usurero. Former tenants must be empowered to become agribusinessmen by allowing their land to be used as collateral.

Dapat mapalaya ng reporma sa lupa ang magsasaka sa pagiging alipin sa iba. Dapat bigyan ang magsasaka ng dangal bilang taong malaya at di hawak ninuman. We must curb the recklessness that gives land without the means to make it productive and bites off more than beneficiaries can chew.

At the same time, I want the rackets out of agrarian reform: the threats to take and therefore undervalue land, the conspiracies to overvalue it.

Be with me on this. There must be a path where justice and progress converge. Let us find it before Christmas. Dapat nating linisin ang landas para sa mga ibig magpursige sa pagsasaka, taglay ang pananalig na ang lupa ay sasagip sa atin sa huli kung gamitin natin ito nang maayos.

Along with massive rice production, we are cutting costs through more efficient transport. For our farm-to-market roads, we released P6 billion in 2007.

On our nautical highways. RORO boats carried 33 million metric tons of cargo and 31 million passengers in 2007. We have built 39 RORO ports during our administration, 12 more are slated to start within the next two years. In 2003, we inaugurated the Western Nautical Highway from Batangas through Mindoro, Panay and Negros to Mindanao. This year we launched the Central Nautical Highway from Bicol mainland, through Masbate, Cebu, Bohol and Camiguin to Mindanao mainland. These developments strengthen our competitiveness.

Leading multinational company Nestle cut transport costs and offset higher milk prices abroad. Salamat, RORO. Transport costs have become so reasonable for bakeries like Gardenia, a loaf of its bread in Iloilo is priced the same as in Laguna and Manila. Salamat muli sa RORO.

To the many LGUs who have stopped collecting fees from cargo vehicles, maraming, maraming salamat.

We are repaving airports that are useful for agriculture, like Zamboanga City Airport.

Producing rice and moving it cheaper addresses the supply side of our rice needs. On the demand side, we are boosting the people’s buying power.

Ginagawa nating labor-intensive ang paggawa at pag-ayos ng kalsada at patubig. Noong SONA ng 2001, naglunsad tayo sa NCR ng patrabaho para sa 20,000 na out of school youth, na tinawag OYSTER. Ngayon, mahigit 20,000 ang ineempleyo ng OYSTER sa buong bansa. In disaster-stricken areas, we have a cash-for-work program.

In training, 7.74 million took technical and vocational courses over the last seven years, double the number in the previous 14 years. In 2007 alone, 1.7 million graduated. Among them are Jessica Barlomento now in Hanjin as supply officer, Shenve Catana, Marie Grace Comendador, and Marlyn Tusi, lady welders, congratulations.

In microfinance, loans have reached P102 billion or 30 times more than the P3 billion we started with in 2001, with a 98% repayment record, congratulations! Major lenders include the Land Bank with P69 billion, the Peoples’ Credit and Finance Corporation P8 billion, the National Livelihood Support Fund P3 billion, DBP P1 billion and the DSWD’s SEA-K P800 million. For partnering with us to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit, thank you, Go Negosyo and Joey Concepcion.

Upland development benefits farmers through agro-forestry initiatives. Rubber is especially strong in Zamboanga Sibugay and North Cotabato. Victoria Mindoro, 56 years old, used to earn P5,000 a month as farmer and factory worker. Now she owns 10 hectares in the Goodyear Agrarian Reform Community in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, she earns P10,000 a week. With one hectare, Pedro and Concordia Faviolas of Makilala, North Cotabato, they sent their six children to college, bought two more hectares, and earn P15,000 a month. Congratulations!

Jatropha estates are starting in 900 hectares in and around Tamlang Valley in Negros Oriental; 200 in CamSur; 300 in GenSan, 500 in Fort Magsaysay near the Cordero Dam and 700 in Samar, among others.

In our 2006 SONA, our food baskets were identified as North Luzon and Mindanao.

The sad irony of Mindanao as food basket is that it has some of the highest hunger in our nation. It has large fields of high productivity, yet also six of our ten poorest provinces.

The prime reason is the endless Mindanao conflict. A comprehensive peace has eluded us for half a century. But last night, differences on the tough issue of ancestral domain were resolved. Yes, there are political dynamics among the people of Mindanao. Let us sort them out with the utmost sobriety, patience and restraint. I ask Congress to act on the legislative and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting peace during our term of office.

The demands of decency and compassion urge dialogue. Better talk than fight, if nothing of sovereign value is anyway lost. Dialogue has achieved more than confrontation in many parts of the world. This was the message of the recent World Conference in Madrid organized by the King of Saudi Arabia, and the universal message of the Pope in Sydney.

Pope Benedict’s encyclical Deus Caritas Est reminds us: “There will always be situations of material need where help in the form of concrete love for neighbour is indispensable."

Pinagsasama-sama natin ang mga programa ng DSWD, DOH, GSIS, SSS at iba pang lumalaban sa kahirapan sa isang National Social Welfare Program para proteksyonan ang pinaka-mahihirap mula sa pandaigdigang krisis, and to help those whose earnings are limited by illness, disability, loss of job, age and so on—through livelihood projects, microfinance, skills and technology transfer, emergency and temporary employment, pension funds, food aid and cash subsidies, child nutrition and adult health care, medical missions, salary loans, insurance, housing programs, educational and other savings schemes, and now cheaper medicine—Thanks to Congress.

The World Bank says that in Brazil, the income of the poorest 10% has grown 9% per year versus the 3% for the higher income levels due in large part to their family stipend program linking welfare checks to school attendance. We have introduced a similar program, Pantawid Pamilya.

Employers have funded the two increases in SSS benefits since 2005. Thank you, employers for paying the premiums.

GSIS pensions have been indexed to inflation and have increased every year since 2001. Its salary loan availments have increased from two months equivalent to 10 months, the highest of any system public or private—while repayments have been stretched out.

Pag-Ibig housing loans increased from P3.82 billion in 2001 to P22.6 billion in 2007. This year it experienced an 84% increase in the first four months alone. Super heating na. Dapat dagdagan ng GSIS at buksan muli ng SSS ang pautang sa pabahay. I ask Congress to pass a bill allowing SSS to do housing loans beyond the present 10% limitation.

Bago ako naging Pangulo, isa’t kalahating milyong maralita lamang ang may health insurance. Noong 2001, sabi natin, dadagdagan pa ng kalahating milyon. Sa taong iyon, mahigit isang milyon ang nabigyan natin. Ngayon, 65 milyong Pilipino na ang may health insurance, mahigit doble ng 2000, kasama ang labinlimang milyong maralita. Philhealth has paid P100 billion for hospitalization. The indigent beneficiaries largely come from West and Central Visayas, Central Luzon, and Ilocos. Patuloy nating palalawakin itong napaka-importanted programa, lalo na sa Tawi-Tawi, Zambo Norte, Maguindanao, Apayao, Dinagat, Lanao Sur, Northern Samar, Masbate, Abra and Misamis Occidental. Lalo na sa kanilang mga magsasaka at mangingisda.

In these provinces and in Agusan Sur, Kalinga, Surigao Sur and calamity-stricken areas, we will launch a massive school feeding program at P10 per child every school day.

Bukod sa libreng edukasyon sa elementarya at high school, nadoble ang pondo para sa mga college scholarships, while private high school scholarship funds from the government have quadrupled.

I have started reforming and clustering the programs of the DepEd, CHED and TESDA.

As with fiscal and food challenges, the global energy crunch demands better and more focused resource mobilization, conservation and management.

Government agencies are reducing their energy and fuel bills by 10%, emulating Texas Instruments and Philippine Stock Exchange who did it last year. Congratulations, Justice Vitug and Francis Lim.

To reduce power system losses, we count on government regulators and also on EPIRA amendments.

We are successful in increasing energy self-sufficiency—56%, the highest in our history. We promote natural gas and biofuel; geothermal fields, among the world’s largest; windmills like those in Ilocos and Batanes; and the solar cells lighting many communities in Mindanao. The new Galoc oil field can produce 17,000-22,000 barrels per day, 1/12 of our crude consumption.

The Renewable Energy Bill has passed the House. Thank you, Congressmen.

Our costly commodity imports like oil and rice should be offset by hard commodities exports like primary products, and soft ones like tourism and cyberservices, at which only India beats us.

Our P 350 million training partnership with the private sector should qualify 60,000 for call centers, medical transcription, animation and software development, which have a projected demand of one million workers generating $13 billion by 2010.

International finance agrees with our progress. Credit rating agencies have kept their positive or stable outlook on the country. Our world competitiveness ranking rose five notches. Congratulations to us.

We are sticking to, and widening, the fiscal reforms that have earned us their respect.

To our investors, thank you for your valuable role in our development. I invite you to invest not only in factories and services, but in profitable infrastructure, following the formula for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

I ask business and civil society to continue to work for a socially equitable, economically viable balance of interests. Mining companies should ensure that host communities benefit substantively from their investments, and with no environmental damage from operations.

Our administration enacted the Solid Waste Management Act, Wildlife Act, Protection of Plant Varieties, Clean Water Act, Biofuels Act and various laws declaring protected areas.

For reforestation, for next year we have budgeted P2 billion. Not only do forests enhance the beauty of the land, they mitigate climate change, a key factor in increasing the frequency and intensity of typhoons and costing the country 0.5% of the GDP.

We have set up over 100 marine and fish sanctuaries since 2001. In the whaleshark sanctuary of Donsol, Sorsogon, Alan Amanse, 40-year-old college undergraduate and father of two, was earning P100 a day from fishing and driving a tricycle. Now as whaleshark-watching officer, he is earns P1,000 a day, ten times his former income.

For clean water, so important to health, there is P500 million this year and P1.5 billion for next year.

From just one sanitary landfill in 2001, we now have 21, with another 18 in the works.

We launched the Zero Basura Olympics to clear our communities of trash. Rather than more money, all that is needed is for each citizen to keep home and workplace clean, and for garbage officials to stop squabbling.

Our investments also include essential ways to strengthen our institutions of governance in order to fight the decades-old scourge of corruption. I will continue to fight this battle every single day. While others are happy with headlines through accusation without evidence and privilege speeches without accountability, we have allocated more than P3 billion – the largest anti-graft fund in our history – for real evidence gathering and vigorous prosecution.

From its dismal past record, the Ombudsman’s conviction rate has increased 500%. Lifestyle checks, never seriously implemented before our time, have led to the dismissal and/or criminal prosecution of dozens of corrupt officials.

I recently met with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US agency that provides grants to countries based on governance. They have commended our gains, contributed P1 billion to our fight against graft, and declared us eligible for more grants. Thank you!

Last September, we created the Procurement Transparency Group in the DBM and linked it with business, academe, and the Church, to deter or catch anomalies in government contracts.

On my instruction, the BIR and Customs established similar government-civil society tie-ups for information gathering and tax evasion and smuggling monitoring.

More advanced corruption practices require a commensurate advances in legislative responses. Colleagues in Congress, we need a more stringent Anti-Graft Act.

Sa pagmahal ng bilihin, hirap na ang mamimili – tapos, dadayain pa. Dapat itong mahinto. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na magpasa ng Consumer Bill of Rights laban sa price gouging, false advertising at iba pang gawain kontra sa mamimili.

I call on all our government workers at the national and local levels to be more responsive and accountable to the people. Panahon ito ng pagsubok. Kung saan kayang tumulong at dapat tumulong ang pamahalaan, we must be there with a helping hand. Where government can contribute nothing useful, stay away. Let’s be more helpful, more courteous, more quick.

Kaakibat ng ating mga adhikain ang tuloy na pagkalinga sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Iisa ang ating pangarap – maunlad at mapayapang lipunan, kung saan ang magandang kinabukasan ay hindi pangarap lamang, bagkus natutupad.

Sama-sama tayo sa tungkuling ito. May papel na gagampanan ang bawat mamamayan, negosyante, pinunong bayan at simbahan, sampu ng mga nasa lalawigan.

We are three branches but one government. We have our disagreements; we each have hopes, and ambitions that drive and divide us, be they personal, ethnic, religious and cultural. But we are one nation with one fate.

As your President, I care too much about this nation to let anyone stand in the way of our people’s wellbeing. Hindi ko papayagang humadlang ang sinuman sa pag-unlad at pagsagana ng taong bayan. I will let no one – and no one’s political plans – threaten our nation’s survival.

Our country and our people have never failed to be there for us. We must be there for them now.

Maraming salamat. Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat.

[Lindenfeld]

Well, no idea if it is worth reading, just hope that we get some English summary, hehehehe..... oh, there are English parts, sorry, mea culpa!

Actually, I know what I want to read: Corruption will be stopped by tomorrow as ruling families will work for the benefit of the nation and not just their tribe, then our country will rise to new heights.

Oooops, sorry, I just woke up!

Excuse the sarcasm, it helps sometimes, but my spirit is positive, really!

[Lindenfeld]

Originally Posted by Lindenfeld

Dear Ergit,

do you have an update on the airport development or even time schedules for the first flights?

I am back in SF and need to go to Manila in the next days. Why not catch the opening flight, hehehe....

Thanks in advance!

Hello, hello, nobody here anymore....?

Two days ago somebody in a travel office told me that the airport in SF will not open before the End of the year.... Its only second had information, but this would be really sad news....

[Retirado]

From Philippine Airlines Express # 02-855-8888

Philippine Airlines Express starts flights from Manila to San Fernando, La Union on August 15, 2008

Cost:

Manila to San Fernando, La Union
P4,966 Includes everything
P200 Terminal Fee

San Fernando, La Union to Manila
P4,966 Includes 'almost' everything
Terminal Fee (awaiting inf.)

Flights:

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun.

Departs Manila 2:50pm
Arrives SF: 3:40pm
- Quick turn around -
Departs SF: 4pm
Arrives Manila: 4:50pm

[Lindenfeld]

Originally Posted by Retirado

From Philippine Airlines Express # 02-855-8888

Philippine Airlines Express starts flights from Manila to San Fernando, La Union on August 15, 2008

Cost:

Manila to San Fernando, La Union
P4,966 Includes everything
P200 Terminal Fee

San Fernando, La Union to Manila
P4,966 Includes 'almost' everything
Terminal Fee (awaiting inf.)

Flights:

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun.

Departs Manila 2:50pm
Arrives SF: 3:40pm
- Quick turn around -
Departs SF: 4pm
Arrives Manila: 4:50pm

If this is true, then you made my day, hehehe.... And they do it from the new Terminal, wow!

[licoan_kings]

Originally Posted by ergit222

By janice on Apr 3, 2008 in News

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Mayor Pablo Ortega has ordered the implementation of a radical four-day work week scheme as part of the city government’s austerity measures to minimize the effect of recent price increases.

Vice Mayor Pancracio Nisce had also issued an executive order to compel more than 500 employees of the city government, except those in front-line services, to report for work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as part of the city’s austerity measures.

Nisce said the work scheme, which was ordered implemented last week, is expected to mitigate the adverse effects of the series of oil price increases on the government’s fiscal position and the country’s dollar reserves, and is also a measure to maximize the impact of climate change.

Ortega, who arrived yesterday from a goodwill trip abroad, said the initiative is expected to result in substantial savings from electric consumption and other maintenance costs in city hall operations.

He said the implementation of the four-day work week will last until the end of May.

The scheme, which has been implemented in 2002 and 2005 by several government offices, is pursuant to President Arroyo’s call for austerity measures among government agencies. By Jun Elias

I know this is a bit old but why doesn't Ortega and Nisce limit the number of government vehicles being used outside office hours?

[dark_knight_detectve]

Customs surpasses collection target in July
By Evelyn Z. Macairan
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it surpassed its revenue target for the fourth straight month after collecting P25.57 billion for the month of July, which is P2.58 billion higher than its assigned target.

Based on a preliminary report, the BOC said it was commissioned to collect P22.991 billion in import duties and taxes in July, but actual collection reached P25.570 billion, or a surplus of P2.579 billion.

While only 10 out of the 15 ports and the Office of the Commissioner (Ocom) were able to meet their respective targets on the seventh month of the year, the agency as a whole was able to meet the targets set by the President.

“We are doing everything we can to keep on track,” said Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.

In terms of percentage, the Port of San Fernando in Pampanga was the top performer in July with 94.2-percent or a higher collection surplus of P97 million. Its target was P103 million but it collections reached P200 million.

While the Ocom’s target was P1.665 billion, its actual collection was P3.047 billion, or a surplus of P1.382 billion.

Other achievers were the Port of Manila collecting P8.361 billion compared to its target of P7.5 billion, or a surplus of P861 million; the Manila International Container Port’s target was P5.75 billion compared to its actual collection of P5.864 billion or a surplus of P114 million; the Port of Batangas target was P4.831 billion compared to its actual collection of P4.96 billion or a surplus of P129 million; the Port of Legaspi’s target of P3.1 million compared to the actual collection of P5.1 million or a surplus of P2 million; and the Port of Iloilo’s target of P24 million compared to its actual collection of P32 million or a surplus of P8.4 million.

The Port of Cebu’s target for July was P430 million compared to the actual collection of P510 million or a surplus of P80 million; the Port of Cagayan de Oro’s target was P265 million compared to its actual collection of P277 million or a surplus of 12 million; the Port of Davao’s target was P163 million compared to its actual collection of P172 million or a surplus of P9.2 million; and the Port of Clark’s target was P81 million compared to its actual collection of P82 million or a surplus of P1.2 million.

Meanwhile, the five ports that failed to meet their targets were the Port of Zamboanga that obtained a 65.4 percent deficiency rate. It was only tasked to accumulate P6 million in taxes and duties, but it’s collection only reached P2.1 million.

Other ports with lackluster performance were the Port of Surigao which was given the target of P4.3 million but it only accomplished P2.1 million; the Port of Tacloban which was assigned with P41 million but it only gathered P31 million; the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was tasked with P1.737 billion but it only managed to collect P1.646 billion; and the Port of Subic was tasked with P388 million but only collected P379 million.

“We can attribute this positive performance to the enhanced anti smuggling drive, an updated valuation database. We also got rid of suspicious importers and traders from our accredited list so most of that is left are those legitimate ones,” Morales said.

July is the fourth month in a row that the BOC was able to exceed its monthly targets. Last April, it was supposed to acquire P21.73 billion but it amassed P21.758 billion; in May, it was tasked to collect P21.462 billion and it reaped P21.904 billion; and in June it was assigned P21.47 billion and registered P25.427 billion.

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[Retirado]

Originally Posted by Lindenfeld

If this is true, then you made my day, hehehe.... And they do it from the new Terminal, wow!

PAL Express now has the Manila - San Fernando, La Union flight information on their website


http://www.philippineairlines.com/tr...ble.jsp?to=SFE

[dark_knight_detectve]

PAL expands domestic routes


Thursday, August 7, 2008
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will undergo a modest expansion of its domestic network on Aug. 15 when it commences regular jet service to Dumaguete and adds a third daily frequency to Zamboanga.

On the same day, the carrier’s low-fare brand PAL Express will start turbo-propeller service from Manila to three points in Northern Luzon — Tuguegarao (Cagayan), Cauayan (Isabela) and San Fernando (La Union) — as well as to Ormoc (Leyte) in Eastern Visayas.

Dumaguete, a pioneer PAL destination that the airline first served in February 1946, rejoins the network after a decade’s absence. PAL last flew to the Negros Oriental capital in June 1998, when operational difficulties forced a suspension of the service.

This time, PAL will field two flights daily, with convenient morning and afternoon departures. The first service, PR 291, departs Manila at 7 a.m. and arrives in Dumaguete at 8:20 a.m. The return flight, PR 292, leaves Dumaguete at 9 a.m. and lands in Manila at 10:20 a.m.

The afternoon service, PR 293, departs Manila at 3:20 p.m. and touches down in Dumaguete at 4:40 p.m. It returns as PR 294, leaving Dumaguete at 5:20 p.m. and arriving back in Manila at 6:40 p.m.

The Airbus A319 aircraft, which feature the only business-class service in the Manila-Dumaguete sector, will be deployed on the route. The state-of-the-art jet seats 126 passengers in Fiesta (Economy) Class and eight in Mabuhay (Business) Class.

Meanwhile, PAL said it will add a mid-morning flight to Zamboanga on Aug. 15, raising total frequency to three flights daily, in response to rising demand.

The new service, PR 127, departs Manila at 10 a.m. and arrives in Zamboanga at 11:45. The return flight, PR 128, leaves Zamboanga at 12:25 p.m. and lands in Manila at 2:10 p.m. Airbus A319 jets will operate the frequency.

On the other hand, PAL Express goes through its third major expansion in two months. The turbo-prop unit added five routes to its main Cebu hub last July 1, followed by four routes to its Manila hub on July 15 (plus an extra route to Manila on Aug. 1).

The launch of four more services on Aug. 15 boosts the PAL Express network to 22 routes nationwide — 11 apiece from Cebu and Manila. Overall, from Aug. 15, the PAL domestic network will count 18 jet and 22 turbo-prop routes. — Mary Ann Reyes

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[allan_dude]

PAL resumes La Union flight

By Jun Elias
Tuesday, August 12, 2008

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Philippine Airlines has resumed operation last week at the newly renovated and expanded Poro Point International Airport here while the formal launching of its inaugural flight was set on Aug. 15.

Josefa Catherine Bada, vice president for airport operation of the Poro Point Management Corp., told The STAR that PAL will be flying in from Manila to San Fernando, vise versa, every Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Bada said PAL will be using its Q300 and Q400 planes that can accommodate 56 and 74 passengers, respectively.

“We are now officially open since Aug. 7 but we will be holding the formal launching of domestic flight on Aug. 15,” Bada said

Lawyer Felix Racadio, PPMC president and chief executive officer, told The STAR recently that the resumption of PAL flights will enhance economic activities in La Union particularly inside the Poro Point Freeport Zone.

“PAL’s decision to include San Fernando in its expansion program is a big boost to the ongoing efforts of transforming the Freeport Zone into a world-class tourism and commercial destination,” Racadio said.

PPMC initiated the airport’s upgrading and expansion early this year after President Arroyo approved the allocation of at least P500 million for the repair and construction of several facilities and installation of navigational equipment.

Racadio said businessmen in La Union and its neighboring provinces welcomed PAL’s expansion program because it will ease their travel time going to and from Manila.

“In no time, Poro Point and the rest of La Union will be more accessible to the domestic and foreign tourism markets,” he said.

He said that the airport’s runway and the upgrading of its facilities can now accommodate international flights using B-737 and A320 aircrafts.

Stuck up

Meanwhile, PAL’s Express, a twin turbo prop plane got stuck at the end of a runway in Catarman, Samar at 8:27 a.m. yesterday when the plane’s landing gear fell off the edge of the runway while turning around at the terminal shortly after landing.

None of the 78 passengers and crew of Flight PR209, a brand-new turbo-prop DeHaviland 4 type plane was reported hurt. – With Rudy Santos

http://philstar.com/index.php?Nation...aid=2008081138

[dark_knight_detectve]

Execs give selves 20 days to fix NorthRail

First posted 01:30:32 (Mla time) August 13, 2008
Tonette Orejas
Philippine Daily Inquirer




CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – China’s economic officials have committed to continue the $900-million NorthRail project and agreed to a 20-day timetable to thresh out the problems that snagged the construction of the modern railway in Central Luzon, according to an official monitoring the project.

“It was the singular project mentioned by China’s economic minister. He dwelt lengthily on the need to resume it,” said Edgardo Pamintuan, president of the North Luzon Railway Corp. (NLRC) and chair of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council.

During the two-day ministerial meetings in China last week, Pamintuan said the Chinese officials assured commitment to the project to “help a neighboring country …to have this monumental transport system as a reflection of their goodwill.”

He said the biggest problem that needed to be settled pertained to the right-of-way, which has not been fully obtained due to 241 structures along the first 64-km stretch of the project from Caloocan City in Metro Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan.

Within 20 days, the Chinese contractor, China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. (CNMEC), will also submit a final design and schedule of work from which the NLRC will decide on the construction cost.

The CNMEC abandoned the project in March reportedly because the previous NLRC board refused to revise the project cost.

“We agree to evaluate now,” Pamintuan said.

He said the CNMEC has agreed to relocate its construction headquarters from Valenzuela City to Guiguinto, Bulacan.

Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza said he had agreed in principle to the plan to help in the resumption of the NorthRail.

The Bulacan provincial board, he said, would be asked to pass a resolution allowing the CNMEC to temporarily use part of a provincial property near the province’s slaughterhouse and flower trading post.

Earlier, Philippine and Chinese officials have adopted a “no comment” policy as they negotiate on the prospect of the suspended NorthRail project.

Pamintuan had announced that the Arroyo administration was pursuing the continuation of the NorthRail not only from Caloocan City to the Clark Freeport but also to the south down to Bicol.




Copyright INQUIRER.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Retirado]

For years, I heard that the airport located in San Fernando, La Union was going to be extended. It finally happened.

For years, I heard a Casino and resort was going to be built on Poro Point. It finally happened.

For years, I've been hearing about a boulevard that will be built along the ocean next to the airport, and Poro Point, now I hear that it will happen once the Airport is finished.

I was inquiring about a piece of land near the beach and was advised to not waste my money. This person revealed that the plan is to measure 50 meters from high tide as the reference point to build the road which will be 3 meters wide and traffic will be one way heading North starting in the Pagudpud area. Everything within the 50 meters and 3 meters for the road is to be demolished and cleared to make way for beaches and 1 small port to facilitate boats to 100 Islands and other locations.

Everything east of the boulevard up to the airport wall along the runway will be Eco-Tourism related. Other land areas inland along the boulevard won't be effected.

When I asked, what about the resorts and houses that are being built near the Kasay Marine Sanctuary the response was they were warned that they are wasting their money but they are in denial that the boulevard will happen.

Has anyone else heard this or is this just more gossip?

[tyronne]

I hope someone could provide photos of the newly renovated airport.

[dark_knight_detectve]

Expressway, La Union airport seen to boost Cordillera growth



By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY – The upcoming operation of the San Fernando airport in La Union and the immediate completion of the 84-kilometer Tarlac-La Union toll expressway will surely perk up tourism, agriculture, and economic development in Baguio City and the entire Cordillera.


The San Fernando airport is expected to resume flight operations by October, this year following the completion of the first phase of the half-billion-peso upgrading project funded by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The San Fernando airport is part of the Poro Point Freeport Zone being managed by the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), a subsidiary of the BCDA.

The Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway Project on the other hand, is being implemented by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and will be completed and is expected to be operational by 2011.

Johnny dela Cruz, president of the Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (BBCCII), said the overflowing development in the city which comes as a result of the completion of the vital infrastructure facilities would also benefit the surrounding communities such as the towns of Itogon, La Trinidad, Sablan, and Tuba, all in Benguet.

With the expected influx of investors in Baguio and Benguet and with the operation of the San Fernando airport and the Tarlac-La Union toll expressway, he said, employment will be provided to thousands of people and there will be sufficient opportunities for livelihood that would help uplift the living condition of families in urban centers.

The Tarlac-La Union toll expressway will be connected to the BCDA’s flagship project, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

The entire 94-kilomete SCTEX is now open for commercial operations. Recently, one of the country’s major bus companies, Victory Liner, started taking the SCTEX Clark-Tarlac route to Baguio, cutting travel time from six hours to four hours.

Aside from the reduced travel time, travel will be safer and more convenient as the buses need not take the narrower and sometimes unevenly paved national road. An added bonus for using the SCTEX is the considerable amount of fuel savings due to non-stop driving. It will only be a matter of time before other bus companies and cargo trucks will follow suit.

Dela Cruz said the provision of access is an integral part of the country’s tourism, agricultural and economic development, and SCTEX and the Tarlac-La Union toll expressway, which will be operational soon, would improve the delivery of goods to any part of Northern Luzon in a short time.

Moreover, locators in the economic zone here will now have alternatives in the use of transportation means to bring their products to Clark and Subic via the inter-connected expressways. They could opt to maximize the use of the San Fernando airport which is much nearer to the city. They could cut travel time and expenses in the transport of their products.

Tourism, agricultural, and economic development in Central and Northern Luzon is in an upbeat mood following the full operation of SCTEX.

The Clark-Tarlac segment of the SCTEX opened last July 25, while the Subic-Clark segment started commercial operation last April 28.

Dela Cruz said the development of surrounding communities that could come as a result of improved access will also benefit this city because people will drop by Baguio to enjoy its cool, romantic weather, pine-scented air, and natural scenery.

[dark_knight_detectve]

Baby tiger shark freed in Lingayen

Thursday, September 4, 2008


SAN FERNANDO, La Union – A three-month-old tiger shark caught in a net in Barangay Ilocanos here was released in the waters of Lingayen Gulf yesterday by Mayor Pablo Ortega and fishery experts.

The baby tiger shark measured about two feet and had dark brown body with white spots.

“The baby shark did not bore any injury and it was healthy and strong,” Ortega said.

Ortega said fishermen Alex Biares and Ely Parcon caught the tiger shark and immediately placed it in a large plastic basin with seawater to protect it from harm.

“The fishermen are aware of my advocacy (to save endangered species) that’s why they immediately informed my office about their catch so we could properly attend to it,” he said.

Biares said he was surprised when he saw his “catch.” “I knew it was a baby shark because of its shape but the color puzzled me. It’s different from other small sharks that we had caught,” he said.

Biares said he called up Ortega’s office for help because fishermen like him are aware that they should not sell or consume such endangered species and instead report them to the authorities for proper care.

Ortega said adult tiger sharks could reach more than three meters long. – Jun Elias

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[ergit222]

[dark_knight_detectve]

RP eyes huge spending for infra program
09/17/2008 | 07:45 PM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us MANILA, Philippines - The government is looking to invest trillions of pesos for infrastructure projects in a bid to perk up the economy amid global uncertainties.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto on Wednesday said that under the updated 2008 to 2010 Comprehensive and Integrated Infrastructure Program (CIIP), the government is seeking P2 trillion from this year to 2010 to finance these projects.

He noted that for the first half of the year, the Philippine economy posted a 4.6-percent expansion, a far cry from its above 7-percent improvement in the same period in 2007, at a time when public construction also slowed.

"What if public construction posted the same growth as in 2007, at 43.4 percent? Our GDP growth in the first half of 2008 would have been 6.9 percent. Our GDP growth targets are achievable so long as our infrastructure programs deliver," he said.

The government’s official economic target for this year is a growth between 5.5 percent and 6.4 percent and 6.1 percent to 6.7 percent in 2009.

Of the total fund requirements, the transportation sector has the highest share at 38 percent or P755 billion, and followed by power electrification, P611 million.

Water resources will get P347.53 million; social infrastructure, P167.91 million; communication, P56.49 million and relending program, P36.69 million.

Recto added that the government is eyeing to finance P1.5 trillion of the total amount, while the private sector is seen to shoulder P613 billion of the investment requirement.

The P94 billion will be funded by the government owned and controlled corporations; P26 billion from government Financial Institutions; P10 billion from local government units and P118 billion through other sources.

Of the whole transport sector, Recto said roads and bridges and rail transport with shares of 44 percent and 39 percent respectively, comprise the biggest investment requirement

"Road and bridge projects are being pursued in support of the government’s thrust of linking the entire country through an effective transport network that would open up new economic opportunities, reduce logistic costs and increase access to social services. Roads are being linked to RORO ports," Recto said.

He said that owing to the huge investments needed for transport projects, the government will continue to tap the private sector in the development of priority projects under the BOT law.

The Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway, Panguil Bay Bridge, Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Extension, Daang Hari- SLEX Link Road, South Luzon Expressway Extension Project, and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road Project, among others, are being proposed for private sector financing.

Recto added that the government plans to implement an integrated urban rail-based mass
transport system through projects such as the LRT Line 1 North Extension (Closing the Loop).

To further provide efficient mass transportation, the capacities of existing railway lines will be increased through projects like MRT3 Capacity Expansion, and existing rail facilities will be extended through LRT Line 2 East Extension to Masinag and Line 1 South Extension Project.

"Metro Manila is already crowded. It will be more congested in a decade, as more people flow in from the provinces. Clearly, we don’t want to see EDSA turned into a giant parking lot," Recto said.

In line with decongesting Metro Manila and spreading development in the countryside, other projects lined up are the Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project, Phase 1 (Caloocan to Alabang) and Phase 2 (Alabang – Calamba), North Rail Project Phase 1, Section 1 (Caloocan-Malolos) & Section 2 (Malolos-Clark), Mainline South Railway Project (Southrail) Phase IA (Calamba- Lucena), Phase 1B (Lucena-Legaspi) & Phase II (Extension to Sorsogon). GMANews.TV

[ergit222]

September 23, 2008 12:47 pm by pna
By Lynda B. Valencia

MANILA, Sept. 23 – Foreign and local tourists will now have an access to the province of La Union as the new San Fernando Airport have been opened.

San Fernando City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega said “Hopefully, it will attract tourists to come here as several Koreans have signified their intentions to open flights from their country to the San Fernando Airport.”


Ortega said there is also possibility of connecting flights between Hong Kong (HK) and San Fernando, noting “that there are many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in HK who are from Region I.”

He also said that this will provide convenience and the shorter time of travel for the OFWs. “In just one hour, they are in La Union.”

Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), started the upgrading after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the allocation of at least P500 million for the project, which also calls for the installation of aeronautical equipment.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights between San Fernando and Manila will be resumed with frequency of four times a week – on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

PAL will be using its Q400 plane that can accommodate 76 passengers starting October 1, 2008. It will depart Manila at 2:50 pm and will arrive San Fernando at 3:40 pm.

Meanwhile, PPMC president and CEO Felix Racadio lauded the resumption of PAL flights here.

Racadio said that airport in La Union will enhance economic activities in the province, particularly in the Poro Point Freeport zone.

He said PAL’s decision to include San Fernando in its expansion program is a big boost to the efforts of transforming the Freeport zone into a world-class tourism and commercial hub.

Other airline companies can also operate connecting flights to the San Fernando airport, Racadio said.

The airport upgrading was done in two phases. Phase I entailed the removal of the obstruction from the southwestern end of the runway, upgrading of the runway, the taxiway and apron pavements.

Also done were the relocation and construction of new control tower, improvements and expansion of the existing terminal, completion of the perimeter fence, completion of the precision approach, path indicator and identification lights.

Phase II entailed the widening of the runway to 45 meters from the existing 36 meters and the construction of the new terminal building, fire station building, taxiway and apron.

At the same time, the scope of works included the sealing of the airport’s runway pavement, procurement of the air navigation for the control tower. (PNA)

FFC/LBV

http://news.balita.ph/2008/09/23/la-...ocal-tourists/

[ergit222]

PAL Express, the new, low-fare brand of Philippine Airlines, completed its inaugural flight from Manila to Caticlan May 5, 2008.

PAL Express debuted with 12 flights daily between Manila and Caticlan, gateway to the resort island of Boracay – in time for the peak summer travel period.

The new carrier, which operates a fleet of nine modern Bombardier Q300 and Q400 turbo-propeller aircraft, will boost services dramatically on May 19 when it opens a hub in Cebu. PAL Express will fly a total of 22 routes initially, including some to island and provincial points without air service currently.

Tthe new, low-fares brand of Philippine Airlines, will serve 22 inter-island routes at the outset, including some provincial points currently without air service or underserved by other players, PAL president Jaime J. Bautista announced today.

“With PAL Express, Philippine Airlines is reassuming its traditional mandate of providing quality, affordable air service to outlying communities. Such air link has historically acted as a spur for the development of these areas.” said Bautista.

“PAL Express also allows PAL to offer a low-fare yet high-value alternative in many trunkline and tourist routes such as here in Caticlan,” he added during arrival ceremonies of the inaugural PAL Express flight from Manila.

Other PAL executives onboard the maiden flight were deputy chief executive officer Henry So Uy and assistant vice president for sales Antonio Herrera.

On hand to welcome the PAL delegation were Aklan vice-governor Gabrielle Calizo; members of the travel trade; and representatives from the media.

Caticlan, gateway to the resort island of Boracay, is the first destination of PAL Express, which will operate 12 flights daily from Manila starting today. Brand-new, 50-seater Bombardier Q300 turbo-propeller aircraft are deployed on the high-traffic route.

PAL Express will dramatically expand its network over the next two months, with service scheduled to be launched on 22 routes.

Thirteen of those new routes emanate from PAL Express’ main hub of Cebu, where operations start May 19 with services to five points – Caticlan, Bacolod, Tacloban, Butuan and General Santos.

On the same day, a daily flight between Manila and Busuanga in northern Palawan will also commence.

On May 26, three more services will operate out of Cebu: Davao, with thrice-daily flights; Iloilo, twice daily; and Puerto Princesa, a single flight everyday.

On June 23, four new destinations will be served from Cebu – Dipolog, Ozamiz, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga, with the last service proceeding onward to Davao and back – rounding out the Cebu hub network for now.

On the other hand, PAL Express’ other hub in Manila will add several new routes in July: Surigao, Legazpi, Virac and Cauayan (Isabela) on July 21, and San Jose (Occidental Mindoro), Calbayog and San Fernando (La Union) on July 26.

With PAL Express’ entry, Surigao, Cauayan and San Fernando, which have gone without air service for many years now, will once more enjoy a regular air link to Manila – a service PAL first provided these small cities in the 1980s.

Likewise, travelers to Virac, San Jose, Ozamiz and Calbayog will benefit from PAL Express’ upgraded service and competitive fares. Currently, these points are underserved by existing carriers. (PR)
http://www.cebu-philippines.net/news...l-express.html