Legazpi, Ligao and Tabaco Cities, and Albay Province

[kaniguan78]

Rides at Fiesta Carnival Legazpi











Allan Hasal Maquiñana

[atypicaluragon]

Originally Posted by [dx]

Legazpi Hotel Map

source kaini sir?

[garycooper]

What's happening? Where's everybody?

[mega-legazpi]

Source: Misibis Bay

[hopper-50]

Originally Posted by garycooper

What's happening? Where's everybody?

Self banned I guess....

[panganuron23]

Bankrupt Bicol power co-op not getting better

LEGAZPI CITY—Dubbed as a problem cooperative, the bankrupt Albay Electric Cooperative (Aleco) which had been often placed on rehabilitation since the early 1980s has not shown any signs of improvement and chances of facing power disconnection by December becomes imminent, according to a top energy official.

Unless Aleco comes up with a convincing rehabilitation program for its P1-billion unpaid obligations to the power generators, Aleco may not have power by December, according to Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras. He said 10 other electric cooperatives are facing similar threats.

Aleco has outstanding total loans of almost P3.4 billion from Napocor, the National Electric Administration (NEA), Power Sector and Liabilities Management Corp., the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and power generators.

Aleco had often been under NEA control, battling against its 25-percent system loss and allegations of graft and corruption, according to the Ako Bicol Party-list. In times of minor recovery, Aleco management would return under the board of directors elected by consumers.

Saddled by the issue of graft and corruption, Aleco also stands accused of allegedly padding consumers’ monthly billings, and the insertion of the Special Payment Agreement (SPA) equivalent to 10 percent of consumers’ monthly billing. Most consumers said they were not aware of this SPA which Aleco claimed was agreed upon early last year during a special assembly of consumers. SPA is a form of advance payment where consumers can use it in the future for his electricity consumptions. It had taken effect starting September 2011 until August 2014. Aleco’s present rate is P13.22 per kilowatt hour.

Aleco’s woe started following the devastation wrought by Typhoon Reming in November 2006. Power cooperatives from other regions came to the succor for the immediate restoration of power in Albay which was realized in three months. This was reinforced by rehabilitation funds of P250 million from the Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation Efforts (CARE) secured by Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda and implemented by the NEA in 2007 while the Aleco management was ran by its board of directors.

A year later, Salceda worked for Aleco’s rehabilitation by Napocor for its maintenance and operation control for one year. After a year of operation, Napocor offered another year of extension, but Salceda blocked it, saying he was not satisfied with the performance. Thus, the Aleco board returned to managing the cooperative in early 2010.

Salceda said he saw the privatization of Aleco as the only alternative to give life to the dying power firm, but his proposal was rebuked by the Catholic Church, the Albay Consumer Watch and the Aleco employees union.

Almendras, NEA Deputy Administrator Edgardo Piamonte and Albay congressmen backed Salceda’s proposal.

Early in 2011, Salceda forced for the resignation of the Aleco board of directors this time to force again the management entry of NEA seeing to prevent the imminent collapse of the power firm. NEA had set the condition that it would handle again Aleco’s management control provided the Aleco board resigns.

Then NEA designated Aleco General Manager Paul Lopez told reporters NEA does not have the money to support Aleco financial needs. In consequence of the takeover of NEA, Energy and NEA officials forged agreement with local officials, local consumers group, and the church to create the management crisis committee, headed by Legazpi Diocese Bishop Joel Baylon.

Lopez who had retired three months ago admitted he was flooded with complaints of allegedly padded monthly billings. He told complaining consumers to bring their complaints to Aleco offices as he ordered to settle the complaint by paying only according to the average computation in monthly billing. Consumers, however, said Lopez order did not worked for them. One consumer complained his regular billing of an average of P2,000 monthly suddenly went to P10,000 but he had no option but to settle it or face disconnection as threatened.

Generoso Butial said being a bachelor with only one electric fan and stays at home only to sleep at night time, he used to pay a maximum of P50. All of the sudden his bill went to P400, followed by P500-plus, then P400-plus again. Then P300 back to P90. He said he filed a complaint but Aleco said his meter does not have a defect and they insisted he should pay or be disconnected. And he obliged he said.

Another consumer went to a radio station in Tabaco City claiming she was charged P11,000 for the month of April and P14,000 for June. His complaint, however, was acted and the two bills were reduced to P2,000 each.

[NyaNem]

[QUOTE=panganuron23;95776830]Bankrupt Bicol power co-op not getting better

I've not seen any financial statement of ALECO from the time it commenced operations. But one can surmise that its liabilities and obligations far exceed whatever assets it has, hence negative net worth. Pag arog kaini an business, miski ipapa kilo wara ka nang maasahan pa. Technically, the owners of ALECO are its creditors. A monopoly business that enjoys very wide margin, but can barely survive? Some people made a lot of bucks for a long time. Let's see kun an satong new year igwa lamang ki liwanag.

[Adopted]

Originally Posted by panganuron23

Bankrupt Bicol power co-op not getting better

Two questions come to mind:
1. Is the current income of Aleco enough to not increase its debt? If not, then the situation can only get worse.
2. The issue of graft and corruption keeps coming up. Who and when? No names, dates, suggestions are ever brought up. Why?

I can relate my experience a couple of months ago - my electric bill did not arrive, so I went to find out why not and was told that my collector was on leave and I would get it next month!

[NyaNem]

New Product Labels to be Launched at OKB-Gayon Bikol 2012

New product labels will be launched at OKB-Gayon Bicol 2012, October 4-7, 2012 at SM Megamall. The labels, developed through the DTI-Region 5′s Food Business Development (BIZDEV) Program for selected clients in the food sector can be seen on processed food products, such as: Pili nut, taro chips, red wine, moringa herbal tea, pickled kangkong, muscovado sugar, noodles, peanut butter, dried danggit and ginger powder.

The new label designs enhance the overall product presentation of the various processed foods made in the Bicol provinces. Good packaging and labeling considerably improve the marketing potentials of the products and increase their competitiveness.

Log on to www.okbikol.wordpress.com for more information on OKB-Gayon Bikol 2012.

[aponitatacaloy]

Bankrupt Bicol power co-op not getting better

LEGAZPI CITY—Dubbed as a problem cooperative, the bankrupt Albay Electric Cooperative (Aleco) which had been often placed on rehabilitation since the early 1980s has not shown any signs of improvement and chances of facing power disconnection by December becomes imminent, according to a top energy official.

Unless Aleco comes up with a convincing rehabilitation program for its P1-billion unpaid obligations to the power generators, Aleco may not have power by December, according to Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras. He said 10 other electric cooperatives are facing similar threats.

Aleco has outstanding total loans of almost P3.4 billion from Napocor, the National Electric Administration (NEA), Power Sector and Liabilities Management Corp., the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and power generators.

Aleco had often been under NEA control, battling against its 25-percent system loss and allegations of graft and corruption, according to the Ako Bicol Party-list. In times of minor recovery, Aleco management would return under the board of directors elected by consumers.

Saddled by the issue of graft and corruption, Aleco also stands accused of allegedly padding consumers’ monthly billings, and the insertion of the Special Payment Agreement (SPA) equivalent to 10 percent of consumers’ monthly billing. Most consumers said they were not aware of this SPA which Aleco claimed was agreed upon early last year during a special assembly of consumers. SPA is a form of advance payment where consumers can use it in the future for his electricity consumptions. It had taken effect starting September 2011 until August 2014. Aleco’s present rate is P13.22 per kilowatt hour.

Aleco’s woe started following the devastation wrought by Typhoon Reming in November 2006. Power cooperatives from other regions came to the succor for the immediate restoration of power in Albay which was realized in three months. This was reinforced by rehabilitation funds of P250 million from the Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation Efforts (CARE) secured by Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda and implemented by the NEA in 2007 while the Aleco management was ran by its board of directors.

A year later, Salceda worked for Aleco’s rehabilitation by Napocor for its maintenance and operation control for one year. After a year of operation, Napocor offered another year of extension, but Salceda blocked it, saying he was not satisfied with the performance. Thus, the Aleco board returned to managing the cooperative in early 2010.

Salceda said he saw the privatization of Aleco as the only alternative to give life to the dying power firm, but his proposal was rebuked by the Catholic Church, the Albay Consumer Watch and the Aleco employees union.

Almendras, NEA Deputy Administrator Edgardo Piamonte and Albay congressmen backed Salceda’s proposal.

Early in 2011, Salceda forced for the resignation of the Aleco board of directors this time to force again the management entry of NEA seeing to prevent the imminent collapse of the power firm. NEA had set the condition that it would handle again Aleco’s management control provided the Aleco board resigns.

Then NEA designated Aleco General Manager Paul Lopez told reporters NEA does not have the money to support Aleco financial needs. In consequence of the takeover of NEA, Energy and NEA officials forged agreement with local officials, local consumers group, and the church to create the management crisis committee, headed by Legazpi Diocese Bishop Joel Baylon.

Lopez who had retired three months ago admitted he was flooded with complaints of allegedly padded monthly billings. He told complaining consumers to bring their complaints to Aleco offices as he ordered to settle the complaint by paying only according to the average computation in monthly billing. Consumers, however, said Lopez order did not worked for them. One consumer complained his regular billing of an average of P2,000 monthly suddenly went to P10,000 but he had no option but to settle it or face disconnection as threatened.

Generoso Butial said being a bachelor with only one electric fan and stays at home only to sleep at night time, he used to pay a maximum of P50. All of the sudden his bill went to P400, followed by P500-plus, then P400-plus again. Then P300 back to P90. He said he filed a complaint but Aleco said his meter does not have a defect and they insisted he should pay or be disconnected. And he obliged he said.

Another consumer went to a radio station in Tabaco City claiming she was charged P11,000 for the month of April and P14,000 for June. His complaint, however, was acted and the two bills were reduced to P2,000 each.

It's ironic that we have two geothermal power plants in our province yet we have this so-called electric cooperative that's nothing but a milking cow for corrupt officials and some political entities. I praise Gov. Salceda for the countless times he saved Albay from being left without electricity due to ALECO's wanton mismanagement and incompetency. I think this time he should push for its privatization.

[mega-legazpi]

MICE, Spice and Everything Nice
September 24, 2012, 3:27pm

Where is now more reason to visit this charming City of Legazpi, provincial capital of Albay, than ogling at the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano.

Nestled at the foot of the legendary volcano and named after the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, this city is aspiring to be a major convention hub in the country.

“Legazpi City has all the ingredients of being a vital center for regional and national MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions),” says Mayor Geraldine Rosal.

The lady mayor said that the city is trying to lure visitors for conventions, incentive travel and sports tourism because of the unique mix of natural allure and urban comforts the city offers.

This year, the city has hosted the national gatherings of the ICT Confederation of the Philippines, the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), the Directors of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, the Vice Mayor’s League, the Congressional Spouses, and the Parole and Probation Officers League of the Philippines, Inc. (PPOLPI).

In October, it will be the turn of the Jaycees International and the Philippine Obstetrical & Gynecological Society to discover the charm of the city.

Moreover, the national organizations of Zonta Club and the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity have set their meets on the city in 2013.

The regional center of the Bicolandia, Legazpi offers urban amenities such as shopping malls, star-rated boutique hotels, hospitals, and cozy bars and restaurants.

Currently, the city has some 1,500 rooms ranging from luxury to economy that suit all budgets. Among the notable accommodation facilities are the newly-opened hilltop Oriental Hotel, the only five-star hotel in the Bicol region, La Piazza, and Hotel St. Ellis which have convention halls for medium-sized events.

Rosal said the growing number of national gatherings necessitates for the construction of a convention center at par with national standards which will be built along the scenic Legazpi City Boulevard facing Albay Gulf.

The 14-kilometer bayside boulevard which leads to the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) in nearby Daraga town is touted to be the longest of its kind in the country.

Currently, the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation (ICR), the city’s sports complex also doubles as venue for big meetings, and for medium-sized events, and the Concourse

Accessibility is not a problem as the city can be reached by plane from Manila with four airlines servicing route with five flights daily, and Cebu Pacific Air plying the Legazpi- Cebu and Legazpi-Tacloban routes.

Rosal added that the completion of the SLIA will strengthen Legazpi’s positioning for international meets. Talks are already rife with local carriers for Asian flights once the airport is completed two years from now.

Legazpi can also be reached by land from Manila, Southern Tagalog region, Visayas and Mindanao via the Maharlika Highway, the backbone of the country’s highway system.

The more adventurous ones can try the train which will be fully restored up to its old terminal in Legazpi before the end of the year.

An (unwritten) criteria for the selection of convention sites are the tourist spots of the host city. And in this department, Legazpi is not wanting.

“The City Council recently adopted the slogan ‘City of Fun and Adventure’ to be the branding of Legazpi in line with the promotional thrust of the Department of Tourism,” Rosal revealed.

She said that visitors can enjoy the city with its various adventure activities such as the Ligñon Hill zipline and hanging bridge, the exciting ATV rides at the Mayon lava trail, and the Embarcadero zipline and lighthouse tower rapelling.

Legazpi is also the jump-off point to nearby attractions such as the postcard-pretty Cagsawa Ruins Park in Daraga, the posh Misibis Bay Resort in Bacacay town, and the butanding (whale shark) interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Spicing up the conventions, quite literally, are the signature Bicolano spicy dishes which have become sought-after because of their luscious taste.

Rosal noted that Legazpi plays a vital role in the Albay Culinaria, the culinary tourism program of the provincial government aimed at promoting Albay as a foodie’s haven. The city has a good concentration of specialty restaurants, grilleries, coffee shops, bars and watering holes which keep nocturnal life vibrant.

Just outside the doorstep of the city in neighboring town of Daraga are cozy restos which evoke an old world charm with their ambiance and comfort food--Balay Cena Una, Balay Suanoy and Alvi's Albay Cafe.

She concluded that the MICE tourism boom in Legazpi has encouraged the rise of small and medium tourism-related enterprises which bodes well for the economy of the whole province of Albay.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/

[mega-legazpi]

Sold-out na pala ang mga lots only.



Source: Camella Legazpi

[mega-legazpi]

Source: JCI Legazpi

[JN RICK]

Originally Posted by garycooper

What's happening? Where's everybody?

sa part ko wara akong maipo-post na may quality kaya dai na muna ako nagpapara-post ki warang kauragi.

[JN RICK]

Originally Posted by kaniguan78

Rides at Fiesta Carnival Legazpi











Allan Hasal Maquiñana

hale ako dyan kasuhapon pero balikan lang ako. anion na giraray ako sa Bacolod. nahiling ko ang mga rides na ini and nasabi ko sa sadiri ko na lumele-level up na man ang peryahan sa Legazpi.
favorite ride ko dyan ay iyan na garu dakulaon na swing chair.
s

[ausieboy]

Originally Posted by mega-legazpi

Sold-out na pala ang mga lots only.

Source: Camella Legazpi

yup sold out na daw, kuha sana ako ng lot kaso it's too late!!!kahapon lng kasi nkapunta sister ko sa office ng camella.

[mega-legazpi]

ABS-CBN rules 12 key TV areas nationwide
September 25, 2012

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. ruled 12 key areas nationwide in terms of TV viewing population, hitting as high as 73 percent in terms of audience share.


The Lopez-led network dominated the ratings in Dagupan, Baguio, Naga, Legaspi, Batangas, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos.

“ABS-CBN maintained its dominance in these regions because of good content, improved signal and local programming. Viewers appreciate our local productions, which include local newscasts, morning programs, game shows and local public service programs apart from our top-caliber TV offerings,” said Louis Benedict Bennett, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group head.

Kantar Media TV diaries data from July 29 to August 4 showed that ABS-CBN registered the highest audience share in the regions of Legaspi, 73 percent against its rivals GMA Network with 13 percent and TV 5 with only 2 percent; Naga, 69 percent against GMA with 13 percent, TV 5 with 5 percent; Dagupan; 45 percent against GMA with 33 percent, TV 5 with 8 percent; Baguio, 51 percent versus GMA with 21 percent, TV 5 with 9 percent; Batangas, 69 percent, GMA 17 percent and TV 5 with 10 percent; Puerto Princesa, 67 percent versus GMA with 17 percent, TV 5 with 9 percent; Cebu, 63 percent versus GMA with 18 percent and TV 5 with 8 percent; Iloilo, 72 percent versus GMA with 14 percent and TV 5 with 8 percent; Bacolod, 62 percent versus GMA with 10 percent and TV 5 with 18 percent; Davao, 68 percent against GMA with 9 percent and TV 5 with 12 percent; Cagayan de Oro, 58 percent against 12 percent and TV 5 with 20 percent and General Santos City, 51 percent against GMA with 12 percent and TV 5 with 28 percent.

While ABS-CBN clearly topped all 12 key areas, its rivals GMA only managed to come in distant second in eight areas while TV5 placed took four areas.

ABS-CBN recently announced the building of 10 new relay stations and the enhancement of the TV and radio coverage of its existing regional stations.

“ABS-CBN will pioneer the building of new stations in areas such as Oriental Mindoro, Davao Oriental, Antique, and Negros Occidental. These new relay stations will also receive locally produced shows, something the rival networks don’t have,” said Bennett.

Kantar Media is a leading television audience measurement provider with capabilities in gathering TV viewing data in both digital and analog platforms.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/

[mega-legazpi]

Originally Posted by ausieboy

yup sold out na daw, kuha sana ako ng lot kaso it's too late!!!kahapon lng kasi nkapunta sister ko sa office ng camella.

It seems like selling like hotcakes ah.

[nacnuD 2:-)]

LIBON











St. James Parish Church


Allegorical statue in the church patio

[garycooper]

Originally Posted by ausieboy

yup sold out na daw, kuha sana ako ng lot kaso it's too late!!!kahapon lng kasi nkapunta sister ko sa office ng camella.

Originally Posted by mega-legazpi

It seems like selling like hotcakes ah.

Don't worry dakul pa iyan. They are just holding on to it because as much as possible they want to sell house and lot packages because the profit is more than double compared to selling it as lot only. Except for its Pontefino project in Daang Hari, Alabang, Camella usually sell H and L packages. I think they are only in Phase 1 and that Legazpi project is more than 60 hectares.