San Fernando City and La Union Province

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by Matteo

and a pic of this too?

San Fernando public market in La Union, one of the 5 winners of the national Huwarang Palengke 2006 competition

I saw the story here: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb...ic.market.html

Hi Matteo, maganda yan para pagbubutihan pa ng mga ibang di pa nananalo na palengke para manalo sa national Huwarang Palengke awards rin next year.

[marites4]

my dad's family is from baung launion. Abuan .

[ergit222]

By Gia Damaso
San Fernando City

SEVEN kilometers east of La Union's bustling capital city of San Fernando, on a forested mountain 9,000 feet above sea level, nestles the La Union botanical garden--a green spot on the map that is probably the only one of its kind in the country.

Unlike other so-called botanical gardens in Manila, Baguio or Mt. Makiling in Laguna, the La Union botanical garden is not merely a theme or recreational park.

While it also has systematically arranged theme gardens, it is foremost a center for research and education on the many varieties and uses of local plants, as well as a haven for their conservation and propagation.

Accessible by jeepney (about 20 minutes) over semipaved roads, the garden sits on a 110-hectare government property covered mostly in a secondary forest growth of molave (Vitex parviflora), kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) and balingasay (Buchanania arborescens).

Of this area, only about 5 ha. have been fully developed into vari-themed gardens spanned by a web of concrete footpaths and bamboo bridges.

Dr. Romualdo del Rosario, garden project director and chief of the botany division of the National Museum, and his colleague, mycologist Edwin Tadiosa, were at the site for their twice-a-month routine visit.

With resident project staff leader Policarpio Jucar, they showed us the many features of the garden which, despite recent visits by typhoons, still stood, proof to nature's ability to heal itself slowly but beautifully.

Theme gardens

The garden has only one entrance and exit. So unless one is planning to set camp at a particular area, it would be best to start at the farthest end where a nursery, fernery and palmery are kept, surrounded by forested mountain slopes.

According to Jucar, wild bees abound in the forests and their honey is often harvested by enterprising residents.

One also finds an orchidarium intended for the propagation of native varieties but for now is unable to resist hybrid varieties donated by orchid lovers and politicians.

Retracing the footpath, one reaches the aviary and minizoo. Although not the main focus of the garden, its collection of wild and domesticated animals, mostly donations from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is a source of amusement and learning for young visitors.

A pair of wild pigeons, a lone parrot, an Ilocano-speaking mynah, a pair of brown eagles, two pairs of Brahmeny kites (lawin) and a sea eagle that enjoys frequent showers are just some of the attractions.

The gobble of turkeys and the chatter of Philippine monkeys complete the cacophony, hushed only by the flutter of doves' wings as they head home to roost.

Recently, a researcher from the University of Sto. Tomas Graduate School has identified the black-naped oriole as one of the birds that have made the botanical garden their habitat.

Known as kiliaoan in Filipino and keeao in Iloko, the bird has bright yellow and black feathers and makes a melodic flutelike call. It is also commonly found in Negros and Mindanao.

From the aviary, one comes to the sunken garden, one of the most popular picnic areas because of its expansive landscaped garden, cool shade and good view of the other theme gardens.

From here, one can see the Chinese garden with a footpath lit by orange lanterns, albeit weather-beaten, leading to an unfinished pagoda. Accents of bamboo bushes and ornamental plants complete the scene.

Another theme garden is the children's garden which has a basic playground beside a gurgling brook and an unfinished natural history museum building built from a modest budget.

According to Del Rosario, the museum will house at least four dioramas depicting ``the glory of flowers'' and the wonders of the insect world as well as other educational materials.

Outdoor laboratory

Beside the children's garden is the fragrance garden. It is planted to champacas, rosals, Chinese magnolias, Ilang-ilang, garlic vine and other sweet-smelling plants to enchant the senses when in bloom.

At the end of this garden is the medicinal garden where dozens of varieties of herbs and medicinal plants endemic to La Union and other dry, lowland areas are cultivated and studied.

Neatly arranged to fill a sundial structure, the plants also provide a butterfly sanctuary that will surely catch a visitor's eye.

On the way, one must pass through the arid paradise where various kinds of cacti and other succulent varieties are cultivated.

Jucar said this area used to be covered with white sand but being sloped, was one of the worst hit by the recent storms. Overlooking this garden is the unfinished Japanese garden which has bamboo structures, Japanese flora and a few stone sculptures arranged to achieve a stone-garden effect.

Despite its unique features, the La Union botanical garden is a long way from becoming a ``fully established or world-class'' institution, Del Rosario admitted.

Cottages to accommodate tourists and visiting researchers, a natural history museum, a fishpond, a swimming pool, a skating rink, an open theater, an orchard and a putting green are some of the features and facilities in the master plan that have yet to be realized.

[marites4]

i think in order for ilocos norte to be aviable tourist destination. they need to open foerign restaurants ar find new ways to cook the seafoods. foreigners mostly complain about the food. they're not really going to acquire the taste for bagoong isda, pinakbet, diningding, goat innards.

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by marites4

i think in order for ilocos norte to be aviable tourist destination. they need to open foerign restaurants ar find new ways to cook the seafoods. foreigners mostly complain about the food. they're not really going to acquire the taste for bagoong isda, pinakbet, diningding, goat innards.

Hi marites4, you can post this message in another thread (Ilocos Norte). Here's one>> http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=326696. This thread is solely for San Fernando City and towns in LA UNION. Thanks for the post.

[marites4]

well i meant that for ilocos norte and sur^ no offense just constructive criticism.

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by marites4

well i meant that for ilocos norte and sur^ no offense just constructive criticism.

I know what you mean by that but then, marites4, La Union is not even a part of Ilocos Norte or Ilocos Sur provinces. You must've thought it as Ilocos Region (Region 1) as a whole not the particular La Union province. As I mentioned, this thread is solely for San Fernando City and towns in La Union province, NOT Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, or Pangasinan.

Anyway, seafood tastes just fine in La Union. You can drop by in La Union anytime and sample some good seafoods. I recommend Patio Del Sol Seafood Restaurant located near the boundary of Bauang and San Fernando City.

[ergit222]

This is a Pagoda that was strategically built on top of a hill near the La Union Provincial Capitol to get an excellent view of San Fernando City proper, the San Fernando Bay and Wallace Air Station.



Magnificent view of San Fernando City.

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by Matteo

and a pic of this too?

San Fernando public market in La Union, one of the 5 winners of the national Huwarang Palengke 2006 competition

I saw the story here: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb...ic.market.html

Here is a google image matteo

[Edmundtanso]

thanks for creating this thread. i myself was born and raised in san fernando, la union.

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by Edmundtanso

thanks for creating this thread. i myself was born and raised in san fernando, la union.

Hello Kailian!

[ergit222]

PANORAMA VIEW OF WALLACE AIR STATION AND SAN FERNANDO BAY (circa 1990)

http://www.usmilitarypi.com/wal_phoabove001.htm

[ergit222]

Poro Point Management Corporation, a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, is currently stepping-up efforts in the creation of jobs, investment opportunities, exports and linking the world through the San Fernando Airport and the San Fernando International Seaport located in the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone (PPSEFZ).

Approximately 5 hours away from Manila by car and more than an hour from Baguio City, Poro Point a former US military base and home to both an airport and seaport that is located at the northwestern tip of North Luzon, west of the City of San Fernando in the province of La Union.

Strategic in its location at the upper side of the Lingayen Gulf, Poro Point is along the Southeast Asian sea lane, less than an hour by plane from Taiwan, China and Hongkong, and within three hours from Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

In line with Pres. Arroyo's ten-point agenda, PPMC is focused on developing the San Fernando Airport as a gateway to Northern Luzon and to develop Poro Point as a dedicated export outlet to southern china

BCDA, which is the agency in charge of converting former military lands into thriving economic zones, released P100-million to PPMC last year for the upgrading of the San Fernando domestic airport and the construction of roads and facilities for the Poro Point Tourism, Recreation and Commercial Complex (PPTRCC).

Lawyer Anthony Manguiat, vice president and Chief Operating Officer of PPMC, said that developing Poro Point into a tourism, commercial, light industries, services and transshipment logistics center would also allow the Ilocos Region to become competitive and economically productive in the medium to long term.

'It is important for us to simultaneously develop our existing facilities in preparation for the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), so that [Region I] can partake of the economic benefits of the administration's Global Gateways and Subic-Clark Alliance Development (SCAD) development strategies," Manguiat explains.

BCDA also has plans to extend the highway from Tarlac all the way to Poro Point.

"BCDA's plan to extend the highway to Region I has already been endorsed by Congress last year, so we would like to prepare Poro Point as an alternate import and export point for goods along the SCTEx," said Manguiat. "In turn, the facilities of Subic and Clark will also be open to locators in the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone (PPSEFZ)," he added.


Development in full swing

The release of P100-million by the BCDA is already being utilized in the construction of several projects.

"Lighting of Pennsylvania Avenue which is the main thoroughfare in PPSEFZ has been completed, thanks to the joint participation of the City Government of San Fernando," Manguiat said.

"Meanwhile, the construction of a 6-kilometer network of roads worth P66-million will be implemented anytime soon in order to provide easy access to the PPSEFZ ecozone," the official said.

With PPSEFZ's San Fernando Airport and Seaport facilities, access to and from the ecozone by sea and land is seen by PPMC to be a major factor in attracting tourists.

"Further upgrading of the airport's navigational equipment and runway facilities will allow the airport to accommodate Boeing 737's for passenger and air cargo operations," Manguiat clarified. "BCDA will be releasing an additional P50-million this 2005 for the further development of the airport," he added.


Club Poro

The 240-hectare former US-airbase is also being groomed to become one of the best tourist destinations in Northern Luzon.

According to Manguiat, several projects are already underway and in the planning stage in order to transform PPSEFZ into the destination of choice for local and domestic tourists.

"The Thunderbird Resorts has started the development of a 13-hectare recreational resort complex called Fiesta Poro right in the heart of the rediscovered natural beauty of La Union's white sand beaches" Manguiat explained.

Being a geographic cape, Poro Point is completely surrounded by the South China Sea, dotted with strips of pristine white sand beaches.

Along the coastline, construction is already at 100% completion for a scenic 300-meter long coral walkway ideal for jogging, walking, biking, picnicking, fishing or for simple relaxation.

"The walkway will also be punctuated by gazebos that would serve as access points for different types of water activities like jet-skiing, wind-surfing and sail boating," Manguiat added.

PPMC, consistent with its thrust of promoting tourism, has also included in its development plan the Poro Point Lighthouse as a tourist destination. The Lighthouse is situated on the southern tip of Punta de Poro, along the entrance to the Port of San Fernando. The lights of Poro Point serve as harbor guides to ships entering and leaving the Port of San Fernando, ever since it was built by the Spanish authorities on 28 November 1885.

PPMC is negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Coast Guard for the restoration of the lighthouse. Budget for repainting and repair works has already been allocated.

High-end Residential Complex

Aside from the tourism complex, PPMC also plans to offer to the private sector the development of a self-contained high-end residential complex whose clientele would have access to world class health care facilities and leisure-oriented amenities.

A choice of condominium living, cluster housing, and single detached houses will be offered to prospective residents depending on their preferences and needs.

Facilities in the residential complex would also include a driving range, health care facilities, a medical center, an outdoor pool, and adequate parking facilities.


Creating jobs and livelihood

Manguiat explained that the development of Poro Point into a tourism and recreation cum commercial complex is in accordance with the PPSEFZ Framework Plan, which was formulated with the active participation of all the local government units, the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA), the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the Voice of America (VOA), the BCDA/PPMC, and all the stakeholders in the area.

Once the tourism complex is complete, PPMC hopes to tap the large available workforce in the surrounding communities.

"As it stands now, we have 3,000 persons lined up in our labor center who are waiting for the development of Poro Point. You can just imagine the trickle-down effect if we can be able to immediately convert Poro Point into a tourist destination," explains Manguiat.

Fisher-folk, who comprise a large part of the population because of the coastal nature of La Union, will also be employed to bring in tourists into Poro Point.

Immediately adjacent to the park on its eastern side is the operational international port with two piers and ancillary/complementary facilities including warehouses, and a proposed container yard.

Current port activities
Running the port operations is the Poro Point Industrial Corporation (PPIC), which is a joint venture company of Bulk Handlers, Inc. and BCDA/PPMC.

PPIC has emerged as the country's premier bulk terminal, topping other terminals in the country in terms of having comparatively cheaper tariff rates and greater overall efficiency.

Manguiat explained that for bulk cargo operations, there is faster turn around of cargoes at Poro Point. In contrast, Manila has rates higher by 42 percent at P174.43/MT, as against Poro's P122.89/MT, for basic charges. Bulk importers like fertilizers have diverted their cargo from Manila to other ports in Luzon due to expensive bagging operations brought about by double handling, high rate of losses and spillages, labor costs and demurrages.

Telecommunications facilities are also adequate enough to support call center operations, which PPMC hopes to corner in the near future.

Locators also have the added advantage of being able to tap a readily-available market of skilled workers in the region.

"All these developments are in line with PPMC's mission of providing real, value added and excellent customer service to our investment partners, port users and tourist visitors," Manguiat said.

He concluded by recognizing and acknowledging the exemplary leadership of the management headed by Chairman Filadelfo S. Rojas, Jr. of BCDA, president and chief executive officer Juanito F. Antonio of PPMC, and the continued cooperation of the officials of the City of San Fernando and the Province of La Union.

"Without their firm and unwavering involvement and encouragement, the task would not be that idealistic and practicable," Manguiat said.

[ergit222]

By Tarra V. Quismundo
Inquirer News Service


WITH OPTIMISTIC passengers on board, "ISA Flight 810" took off on a hopping trip around the country's "dream destinations" despite the threatening skies.

Fueled by hope for fairer weather, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) gathered mayors from the country's most promising cities for a ride to a sunnier future, in a conference tagged "Vista ISA: A Panorama of our Dream Cities."

"What we are really saying is, not everything in politics is done in Manila, so there's a lot that is very positive that is being done outside Manila," said Jesus Estanislao, chairperson of the ISA, a non-government think tank on good governance.

So far, the cities of San Fernando (La Union), Tagbilaran, Calbayog, Iloilo, Naga, Samal, Cebu and Marikina have fared well, as they have inched closer to goals they aimed to accomplish in five to 10 years from now based on presentations they gave before a gathering of professionals, businessmen, and the youth at the Rizal Ballroom of the
Makati Shangri-La.

In a show of optimism in the midst of the crisis-plagued national government, the ISA led mayors of the eight selected cities in a report on how their cities have progressed since a year ago, when they adopted ISA's Public Governance System (PGS).

The PGS is a performance measurement tool that was a public sector adaptation of the corporate "balanced scorecard" principle, used by companies to determine achievement of set goals within a given period of years.

"There is still hope for our country. While the national government is concerned with the impeachment, the cities are moving forward. The cities have bonded to ensure that basic services are delivered," said Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas.

He was referring to the impeachment complaint against President Macapagal-Arroyo, which arose in the midst of allegations that she had rigged the May 2004 elections.

It was under similar politically turbulent times that ISA was born, as it was established just after the breakdown of an impeachment trial against ousted President Joseph Estrada in 2001. Headed by Estanislao, finance secretary during the tenure of President Corazon Aquino, the ISA began a campaign for effective governance among local government units (LGUs).

And through LGU ties, the ISA selected the best-performing cities a year ago for the pilot application of the PGS, which encouraged local administrations to operate under established mission, vision and set of values from city hall to the grass roots.

The project was supported by a grant from the USAID, the Asia Foundation and the Center for International Private Enterprise in Washington, D.C.

Realistic goals

After consultations with the ISA, the first batch of cities created their Public Governance Roadmaps based on realistic goals in terms of local management, delivery of basic services, education and infrastructure, among other things.

In a nutshell, here's how the mayors envisioned their cities in the near future.

San Fernando: The Botanical Garden City by 2010

Mayor Mary Jane Ortega aims to develop both its environment and its people, with equal focus on nurturing the locale's 20-hectare botanical garden, and providing skills training to constituents to make for a more economically viable city.

Tagbilaran: A Prime Eco-Tourism Hub by 2015

Mayor Dan Neri Lim drafted a plan to improve living standards in his city, where poverty continues to be an affliction. Foremost on the goal list are the creation of more employment, giving locals access to capital and better delivery of health services.

Calbayog: One City, One People, One Culture by 2015

The city aims to bring the government closer to its people to boost pride of place. At the same time, Mayor Mel Sarmiento said the city, with a thriving farming and fishing industry, would like to maximize commercial potentials through skills training and improvement of infrastructure.

Iloilo: Premier City by 2015

This Visayan city aims to be more attractive both as a business and cultural center in the region. Treñas laid out a plan to establish business facilities including a stock exchange, convention centers, manufacturing facilities, and an interconnected mass transport system, while preserving cultural heritage.

Naga City: Model City for Participatory Government by 2015

The thriving city of the Bicol region aims to bring together government, the constituency, the private sector and civic organizations toward city-wide multi-sectoral progress, said Mayor Jesse Robredo, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee for public service.

Samal: Island Garden City by 2015

Mayor Rogelio Antalan envisions his city to become an eco-tourism center at par with international standards, capitalizing on projecting the island-city as "a city of character" that is highly livable, with a "well-preserved and enriched cultural heritage."

Cebu: Most Livable City in Asia by 2015

In a presentation by City Administrator Francisco Fernandez, one of the Visayas region's best known business and tourism centers drafted a plan to make Cebu the most peaceful, cleanest and greenest city in the Asian region.

The city aims to give its constituents the most efficient delivery of basic services, transportation and communications systems, employment opportunities, and an internationally competitive quality of education.

Marikina: A World-Class City by 2015

The only Metro Manila city among the ISA picks, Marikina presented its plan to become a "Little Singapore" someday soon. Banking on improvements initiated by former Mayor and now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Bayani Fernando, the city, now ran by Fernando's wife Marides, aims to sustain a clean and green program that had turned the Marikina Riverbank into a bustling community park, maintain peace and order, and become "part of the international directory of business, sports, and the arts."

Binding commitment

The mayors present during the conference, including Sarmiento, Treñas, Robredo, Antalan, Ortega and Lim, were also recognized as the first batch of ISA fellows, binding them to the commitment of pursuing the plans they had laid out for their cities.

[Sera]

Good to see a High-res image of one of my favorite cities

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by Sera

Good to see a High-res image of one of my favorite cities

Thanks Sera. I appreciate your comment.

[ergit222]

PUERTO DE SAN JUAN RESORT HOTEL





This first class resort is located just minutes drive north of San Fernando City.

[ergit222]

Oasis Country Resort is located along the National Highway south of San Fernando City.

[ergit222]

The first ever sanitary engineered landfill in San Fernando City was chosen by the World Bank (WB) as its model for a Design-Build Operate (DBO) type of landfill project all over the world is nearing completion and will be operational after the rainy season.

This was confirmed by Bruce Williams of Conestoga-Rovers and Associates (CRA), a Canadian consultancy firm who made the design of the landfill project which is being implemented by its joint venture, the Kane Construction Inc. (KCI)

“It’s basically a three-phase project and the first phase is nearing completion. Maybe after the rainy season we will be able to put waste at the engineered landfill,” Williams said in an interview during the visit here of Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland.

Williams, who is supervising the construction of the project, said they will start the second phase of the project probably by February 2007.

He said the 10.5 hectares engineered landfill, if completed, would have a life span of more than ten years. Its construction is worth P163 million and funded by the WB through a design-build-and-operate scheme.

Williams said the components of the project include a one meter thick clay liner to prevent lecheate (garbage juice) from seeping and contaminating the ground water. Below the liners, pipes collect the lecheate in a pond before it goes to a water treatment plant.

The project also involves a recycling plant, a materials recovery facility and a motor pool for heavy equipment. Gas collection pipes will capture the methane gas and the same may be converted it to cooking fuel.

Sutherland visited the project on Tuesday afternoon accompanied by Williams, Governor Victor Ortega and other city and provincial officials.

Sutherland said he was very proud of the project because it will contribute a lot in solving the waste problem of the city. “It’s going to contribute a lot of solutions for the waste problem and its going to be a model for other provinces in the Philippines to follow the same kind of system to alleviate negative environmental concerns,” he said.

For his part, Ortega said La Union will be the first to have a “real to honest to goodness engineered landfill in the Philippines.

“We will be the first one to have a real to honest to goodness engineered landfill. Although it may not be a world-class type because we are only using clay liners and not the plastic geo-liner which is too expensive. It may not be 100 percent but 90 percent would be good enough,” he said.

His wife City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, who is out of the country, initiated the project’s feasibility study in 1999 after it closed the dumpsite on the seashore of Barangay Canaoay.

The feasibility study was conducted and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.

San Fernando landfill - model to other local government units >> http://sanesteban.com.ph/vice/landfill.htm

[ergit222]

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006062567676.html

The Bases Conversion Development Authority has approved the terms of reference (TOR) for the detailed engineering and design contract for the San Fernando Airport development in Poro Point, La Union that will pave the way for the airport’s planned expansion to accommodate bigger commercial airplanes like the B-737s.

With the BCDA approval of the TOR and the budget for the design project, the Poro Point Management Corp., a subsidiary of BCDA, can now push through with the bidding and eventual award of the contract to an engineering design consultant.

The detailed engineering design contract for the San Fernando Airport will determine the needed physical and navigational aspects of the planned development, as well as the consultant’s deliverables, project cost estimates and detailed plans, among others, to enable the airport to accommodate bigger planes. The design is expected to be finished late this year.

"This is a major step towards the development of San Fernando Airport in particular and the Poro Point Special Economic Zone in general," said BCDA Chairman Filadelfo Rojas Jr. "With an upgraded airport, more investors and tourists would come to Poro Point and La Union."

The BCDA is positioning Poro Point as a major entertainment and tourism hub in Northern Luzon because of its strategic location. Aside from the San Fernando airport, Poro Point also hosts a commercial seaport, an industrial zone and an entertainment center.

The current airport is currently served by at least one commercial airliner, Asian Spirit. However, the airport can only accommodate smaller turbo prop airplanes that carry a maximum of 60 passengers, while 737s have a 200-seat capacity.

Poro Point’s vast entertainment and tourism potential is underscored by the fact that La Union boasts some of the country’s finest beaches, and is a mere one hour drive to Baguio City. It is also a short distance away from the famed Hundred Islands in Pangasinan by sea, while the pilgrim town of Agoo and Manaoag are also close by.
__________________