Santiago, Cauayan, and Ilagan Cities, and Isabela Province

[red_jasper]

Isabela town to receive award in Malacañang

SAN MATEO, Isabela (February 14) -- This multi-awarded southwestern town is set to receive another honor from Malacañang for the product it has produced and processed which made this town known to other towns and other provinces in the country.

San Mateo town officials were scheduled to receive the Gawad Galing Pook Award from Malacañang for the achievements it has made in supporting the mass production and processing of mongo seeds (blackgold).

The very profitable mongo was termed blackgold by local residents here because the color of the mongo-harvest is black and is bringing enough profit for San Mateo residents.

Municipal Agriculturists Emiliano Camba said that the scheduled awarding of Gawad Galing Pook Award for San Mateo in Malacanang will be on 28 February 2008.

Camba said that San Mateo is so lucky being chosen as an awardee for this prestigious award from agriculture department.

The search for Gawad Galing Pook Award is spearheaded by the Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Agriculture (DA).

[allan_dude]

Santiago market eyes grand slam in healthy market awards

This was bared in an interview with Ms. Tina Macaso, Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Market Administrator after beating the rival markets of Cauayan and Tuguegarao in Cagayan Valley's cities. She adds that as early as January, the Santiago Public Market is preparing to seal their first grand slam in the contests conducted by the Department of Health and other concerned agencies.

The market office has begun enjoining the vendors in this large commercial center of this booming city in 2004, making them win second place in the regional level. But it was only a jumpstart as they were champs in 2005 and 2006.

Macaso regarded the cooperation of the market vendors as their main weapon for winning in their consecutive championships, but also thank Mayor Amy Navarro for motivating them to conduct programs and project to clean up the market.

The evaluation is set in October, giving the Market Administrator’s Office enough time to prepare and formulate programs to improve the cleanliness and orderliness of the market.

Mayor Amy Navarro has extended full support by spearheading herself the cleanup of the drainage systems the market place and improving the roofing system through her Skylight roofing projects.

http://www.cityofsantiago.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=99999999

[allan_dude]

Program teaches Isabela farmers self-reliance

Philippine Daily Inquirer


ILAGAN, ISABELA—This province’s price subsidy program, which won a Gawad Galing Pook national award, is teaching self-reliance among farmers, officials said.

Rep. Edwin Uy, who teamed up with the provincial government for the price support scheme, said the program had helped 87,511 rice farmers and 85,086 corn farmers from October 2005 to May 2007.

Achievement

The program contributes P2-a-kilo of rice or palay sold by farmers to the National Food Authority warehouses in the province.

“It is an achievement because a real people empowerment project has given life through it,” Uy said.

He said private rice traders and middlemen had been increasing their buying prices of palay and corn grains to gain a share of the produce from farmers.

Loan payment

This has enabled farmers, who are now fetching higher prices for their products, to pay their loans from grains traders from whom they borrow their farm inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and even their daily subsistence while waiting for the harvest season, Uy said.

Grains traders from Bulacan, Batangas and Pangasinan have been buying Isabela’s rice and corn harvests and directly negotiating with farmers with higher pegged price than the local grains traders, he said.

Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca said the Galing Pook Award had proved that Isabelinos were “capable of bringing about positive change and making our people feel good about themselves.”

“This is because they are no longer just feeding on politics of patronage but they are starting to rely on themselves, with some institutional support from the provincial government,” she said.

She said it only took at least P5 million every harvest season to implement the program and the money went back to the provincial government.

Fund growth

“The fund even grows each time because of the earnings the Isabela government gets when it is time for us to sell the palay and corn we and the NFA jointly procure from the farmers,” she said.
Records showed that the provincial government had generated P740,881.14 from the operations from October 2005 to May 2007.

Padaca said the program serves as a shield for rice and corn farmers against sudden change in prices because of unforeseen market forces or manipulations that affect adversely their income. Villamor Visaya Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080310-123802/Program-teaches-Isabela-farmers-self-reliance

[allan_dude]

Lawmaker wants Santiago City back under provincial supervision

The Manila Times
By Florante Solmerin, Northern Luzon Bureau

SANTIAGO CITY: City officials here questioned the intention of the neophyte congressman, Rep. Anthony Miranda of the Fourth District, in filing House Bill 3709 seeking to reverse some provisions of Republic Act 7720 which converted this commercial town into an independent component city in 1994.

Showing unity against Miranda’s move, the city council unanimously rejected the proposal to amend the law and castigated the congressman as a “traitor” to the people of Santiago City.

“The city council strongly denounces Congressman Miranda because we believe his proposed bill amending R.A. 7720 which made this business hub in the region an independent component city is another politically motivated ploy to sow confusion and economic sabotage against the city government and its people,” said Mayor Amelita Navarro.

Less than six years ago, the Supreme Court nullified a sand void the same House Bill approved by the Senate (R.A. 8528) due to the absence of a plebiscite. Then councilor Miranda was among local officials who strongly opposed the amendment.

Miranda’s bill returns the city under the supervision of the provincial government in a supposed bid to “enhance check and balance” because the province can review decisions and actions made by the municipal government and allow Santiago residents to vote for elective provincial positions.

Santiago City has the biggest chunk of votes in the 37 towns of the province and has an annual internal-revenue allotment of less than P450 million.

“Miranda wants to reverse the present status of this city for several reasons. He is facing two separate cases of corruption filed by the city government. Once the local government unit of Santiago is under the auspices of the provincial government he can easily cow his political allies there to absolve him from these cases,” Navarro said.

In last year’s election, Mi*randa and Rep. Edwin Uy of the Second District supported the candidacy of Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca who won over former governor Faustino Dy Jr.

Among other congressmen who signed the proposed HB 3709 were Representatives Juan Miguel Arroyo of Pampanga, Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela’s First District, Edwin Uy of the Second District, Roilo Golez, Simeon Datumanong and Salacnib Baterina.

Rep. Faustino Dy III of the Third District, a close political ally of Navarro, did not sign the final draft of the bill and did not attend the May 11 meeting scheduled by the House’s Committee on Local Government to deliberate on the bill.

The late congressman Rodolfo Abaya sponsored the law converting Santiago into a city on May 5, 1994.

Santiago town was the first to be converted into an independent component city in the Cagayan Valley region. The municipalities of Cauayan, Isabela and Tuguegarao, Cagayan were also converted into a component city in recent years.

[allan_dude]

Ifugao, Isabela share Magat Dam tax

BAGUIO CITY (Apr. 3) — Ifugao and Isabela provinces have finally agreed to divide equally the P114 million transfer tax from the sale of a hydroelectric dam complex built at a contested area between the two provinces.

Considering it as a “landmark” Ifugao governor Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said the agreement, inked March 31 in Punta Amelita in Isabela, would mean P57 million each for his province and Isabela. He said he would use said funds for improving roads and enhancing watershed areas for Magat Dam.

Baguilat, representing Ifugao and Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela finally signed a memorandum of agreement equally sharing the transfer tax accrued from the sale of the Magat Hydro Electric Power Complex to the SN Aboitiz Power from the National Power Corporation (NPC).

Baguilat said the agreement has solved the row between the two adjacent provinces on the tax sharing after questions were raised several months ago, specifically on the Ifugao side that despite their province where the headwaters of the dam come from, Isabela gets the lion’s share.

The issue on boundary dispute is still in line for settlement as this is the basis on who will collect the real property and business tax of the operation of the said dam. A conference was set on May 23 for the discussion of the due business taxes of the Magat Dam operation.

The 540-megawatt Magat Dam is Asia’s biggest dam. It is located in San Mariano town, Isabela but the local officials of Alfonso Lista town in Ifugao are contesting the claim.

Considered the Philippines’ biggest dam facility, combining irrigation, flood control and power supply, with four generating units of 90 megawatts each, Magat Dam has the largest capacity among the operating hydroelectric power plants in the country. It was built through WB-financing worth $83.7 million and started commercial operations in 1983.

Aboitiz Equity Venture Inc. which joined SN Power of Norway to form SN Aboitiz Power Inc. won the privatization bid against 11 other bidders in 2006.

Gov. Baguilat Jr. earlier also “contested” the government locating the dam in Isabela as he claimed that the buildings of the dam are in Alfonso Lista.

The governor however insists that the agreement is not yet the “perfect one” because Ifugaos are claiming the whole of the Magat Dam citing historical and documentary evidence. It has not solved the boundary dispute, Baguilat insisted.

Ifugaos have agreed since Padaca negotiated in good faith pending the solution of the boundary dispute, Baguilat said.

The agreement is supported by the provincial board of Ifugao.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2401

[barrera_marquez]

Originally Posted by allan_dude

Lawmaker wants Santiago City back under provincial supervision

The Manila Times
By Florante Solmerin, Northern Luzon Bureau

SANTIAGO CITY: City officials here questioned the intention of the neophyte congressman, Rep. Anthony Miranda of the Fourth District, in filing House Bill 3709 seeking to reverse some provisions of Republic Act 7720 which converted this commercial town into an independent component city in 1994.

Showing unity against Miranda’s move, the city council unanimously rejected the proposal to amend the law and castigated the congressman as a “traitor” to the people of Santiago City.

“The city council strongly denounces Congressman Miranda because we believe his proposed bill amending R.A. 7720 which made this business hub in the region an independent component city is another politically motivated ploy to sow confusion and economic sabotage against the city government and its people,” said Mayor Amelita Navarro.

Less than six years ago, the Supreme Court nullified a sand void the same House Bill approved by the Senate (R.A. 8528) due to the absence of a plebiscite. Then councilor Miranda was among local officials who strongly opposed the amendment.

Miranda’s bill returns the city under the supervision of the provincial government in a supposed bid to “enhance check and balance” because the province can review decisions and actions made by the municipal government and allow Santiago residents to vote for elective provincial positions.

Santiago City has the biggest chunk of votes in the 37 towns of the province and has an annual internal-revenue allotment of less than P450 million.

“Miranda wants to reverse the present status of this city for several reasons. He is facing two separate cases of corruption filed by the city government. Once the local government unit of Santiago is under the auspices of the provincial government he can easily cow his political allies there to absolve him from these cases,” Navarro said.

In last year’s election, Mi*randa and Rep. Edwin Uy of the Second District supported the candidacy of Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca who won over former governor Faustino Dy Jr.

Among other congressmen who signed the proposed HB 3709 were Representatives Juan Miguel Arroyo of Pampanga, Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela’s First District, Edwin Uy of the Second District, Roilo Golez, Simeon Datumanong and Salacnib Baterina.

Rep. Faustino Dy III of the Third District, a close political ally of Navarro, did not sign the final draft of the bill and did not attend the May 11 meeting scheduled by the House’s Committee on Local Government to deliberate on the bill.

The late congressman Rodolfo Abaya sponsored the law converting Santiago into a city on May 5, 1994.

Santiago town was the first to be converted into an independent component city in the Cagayan Valley region. The municipalities of Cauayan, Isabela and Tuguegarao, Cagayan were also converted into a component city in recent years.

anong mas matindi, traydor sa lungsod o traydor sa probinsya? kaya ayoko ng mga ganyan na independent cities, mas gusto ko yung mga dependent cities. nahaharangan ang mga minsa'y kabalbalan ng mga mayor.

At saka isa pa, ngayong nagkakaubusan ng bigas at lumalagapak ang IRA ng mga lungsod, it is really time for the provincial government to reverse the situation there. parang ganito: kung kulang ang magiging tanim/ani ng santiago city, magbibigay ang probinsya ng binhi/fertilizer/pesticide at dahil bagsak ang IRA ng santiago city, magbibigay ng dagdag na pondo ang probinsya.

[allan_dude]

Santiago City allots P2.5 M for subsidy to rice farmers

Ceasar M. Perante

SANTIAGO CITY – The Santiago City government through its agriculture department launched last week the national government’s "quick-turn-around" (QTA) program on rice for the modified cropping season.

"This is how we can participate in arresting the world-wide food crisis that also affects the country and this city," said Santiago City Mayor Amelita Navarro.

Navarro said that because of the early wet season, the planting of rice could be done one month earlier than the usual season.

"Technically, because of the early cropping season, we can have three rice cropping periods for this year, that is if we can have the second cropping now, we could harvest by August and plant again in October," said Dr. Solomon Maylem, city agriculture officer.

The national government has doubled its hybrid rice seed subsidy from P700 to P1,500 per 20-kilo bag costing P3,500 each. The farmer pays only P2,000 per bag.

As a counterpart, the city government provides organic foliar fertilizers and other growth enhancers to hybrid-rice growers.

"For those who can not afford to buy the hybrid rice, the city government has allotted P2.5 million for the subsidy for inbred rice or certified seeds at P750 per 40-kilo bag. This means that the farmer has to pay only P450 per bag of certified seeds instead of P1,200," Navarro said.

Initially, some 500 farmers have availed themselves of subsidized seeds that can cover 300 hectares.

"On Santiago City’s climatic condition, a hectare planted to hybrid rice can yield an average of 188 bags to 200 bags of palay. while a hectare planted to inbred or certified seeds can yield an average of 110 bags," Maylem said.

The city government is eyeing 5,000 hectares to be covered by the QTA program.

The National Irrigation Administration irrigates 7,000 hectares of rice lands in the city. Only 1,000 hectares of rice fields here are rain-fed.

"While Metro Manila is panic-buying rice in long queues, we can assure that Santiago City will not suffer the same fate because we produce rice of the best quality,y but most of all, we have abundant rice stocks enough until the next cropping season," Navarro said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080421122401.html

[[dx]]

Overflow bridge stimulates growth of Isabela
By Lynda B. Valencia

MANILA, May 4 (PNA) -- The development of Isabela province gets a big boost with the substantial completion of Cansan-Bagutari Overflow Bridge connecting the municipalities of Cabagan and Sto. Tomas.

The overflow bridge was constructed between Barangay Cansan in Cabagan and Barangay Bagutari in Sto. Tomas crossing the Cagayan River to provide service to farmers in bringing their agricultural products to market centers. The project was fast tracked in accordance with the policy directive of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),

DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. instructed Region 2 Director Eugenio Pipo Jr. to closely monitor the progress of work. The bridge also connects and passes the towns of Tumauini, Sta. Maria and Delfin Albano through the way of the provincial and national road.

Cansan-Bagutari Bridge, which is expected for full completion by the end of this month, was designed into overflow type concrete bridge consisting of 21 spans having 15 meter per span or a total length of 315 lineal meters with a roadway of 4 meters. The bridge was constructed using concrete bored piles as piers and foundations, concrete girders and concrete floor slab.

Implemented in six phases with the first two phases under the DPWH Region 2 and the last four phases by the DPWH Isabela 1st District Office, the bridge was conceived thru the initiative of then Congressman Rodolfo B. Albano and continued by his son Isabela 1st District representative Rodolfo T. Albano III.

DPWH Isabela 1st Assistant District Engineer Emil Ganaden said that an additional P5 million each is allocated for approach A and approach B of the bridge that is also now on going. Barangay Captain Wally Binag of Anao, Cabagan, Isabela said that the completion of bridge has brought tremendous impact or benefit as people, goods and services are now readily available, ending the long years of struggles and suffering of crossing the river through boat or barge.

[allan_dude]

PNOC-EC set to cease San Antonio natural gas plant ops

By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines--State-run PNOC Exploration Corp. is preparing for the possibility of stopping the operations of the 3-megawatt (MW) San Antonio Gas Power Plant in Isabela by the second half of the year.

In its 2007 annual report submitted to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the state firm said the plant's project life was expected to last only till June due to decreasing well-head pressure at the gas field.

"While the project continues to operate, preparations for abandonment are also ongoing. Possible uses of residual gas other than for power generation are also being investigated," the report stated.

The plant last year produced 14,707.98 megawatt-hours of electricity. Gas production from the gas field, on the other hand, reached 324.8 million cubic feet.

It is the first facility in the country to run on natural gas.

It currently provides electricity to more than 10,000 households in Isabela through the Isabela Electric Cooperative 1, which sells power at a cheaper rate compared with that charged by the National Power Corp.

"The project showed that a small onshore gas field can be commercialized. It also helps promote the use of indigenous energy resource in the country aside from generating electricity using a very clean fuel. The project also created livelihood and employment to local residents around the project area," the annual report stated.

Earlier, PNOC-EC said that the San Antonio plant "is a model small-scale gas power generation facility that can be replicated in other parts of the country with marginal gas reserves."

The facility also holds the country's first compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station for CNG-fed vehicles.

PNOC-EC registered a 32-percent drop in net income in 2007 to P834.7 million, due mainly to lower revenues from the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project and higher operating expenses.

Last year's profit represented only 27 percent of revenues, as compared with 42 percent in 2006.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080504-134534/PNOC-EC-set-to-cease-San-Antonio-natural-gas-plant-ops
---

aww how sad

[allan_dude]

BoI okays 2 biomass power plants in Isabela

The Board of Investments has approved two rice husk-fueled power plant projects in the province of Isabela with combined investments of P420 million.

The board is granting fiscal incentives to both projects under pioneer status in support of the government’s energy independence program and countryside development.

Family Choice Grains Processing Center Inc. and Golden Season Grains Center Inc. have each committed to invest P210 million in their respective projects.

Both companies are putting up their own 2-megawatt biomass cogeneration power plants using rice husks from their mill operations.

The two companies are investing in the fuel facility to bring down the cost of power, stabilize supply and ensure smooth operations of their respective rice mills.

The two are among the largest and most modern rice millers in Isabela.

Family Choice’s power plant will be located in Brgy. Dimantina, Cabatuan, while that of Golden Seasons will be in Dadap, Luna, both in the province of Isabela.

The two new power plant projects will generate a total of 116 new jobs. Commercial operations of the plants are set to begin in December 2008.

The two proposed fuel facilities will produce electricity and steam to dry the rice mill operations. They plan to offer excess electricity output to nearby rice mill operators.

Family Choice has a rice milling facility with a capacity of 20 tons per day, operating at a minimum of 14 hours daily.

It purchases all of its power requirements from the local electric cooperative, with several diesel generating sets as stand-by power.

The company said Isabela Cooperative 1, the local electric utility provider, could not provide a stable voltage, especially in the late afternoon up to the late evening.

The unreliable power supply has forced the rice miller to switch to diesel gensets, making operations more costly.

Family Choice’s biomass cogeneration power plant aims to address the higher cost of electricity and the inefficient service of its cooperative. Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business4_april8_2008

[allan_dude]

Santiago City exec uses 'Hataw Na' as battlecry for development

Santiago City, Isabela -- The city Local Chief Executive of this premier city in Cagayan Valley has laid down its 2008 battlecry for Santiaguenos in improving the living standard here dubbed as 'Hataw Na'.

In the opening of the 3rd Pattaradday Festival last week, Mayor Navarro said that the city of Santiago's 2006 1st festival has used "Angat Santiago Ngayon" as the theme for the festival and in its city's development programs. From that 1st Pattaradday Festival, the city government gained from Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOOP) the 'Most Outstanding Tourism Event of the Year'.

Last year, "Sulong Santiago" was her development guide and used as 2007 Pattaradday theme to move on for the city's progress and development and to continue higher achievement and greater service and glory.

Mayor Navarro has seen the development in her administration and is aiming to continue and move on what has she started. This year, 'Hataw Na' was the theme of Pattaradday Festival and her battlecry to give emphasis that all of her administration's achievements be totally felt by Santiaguenos even in the least barangays of the city.

"Hataw na Santiago City, Hataw na para sa Kaunlaran ng Lungsod" said Navarro.

She used the acronym TODO HATAW as her guide for her 2008 development programs to make the city a progressive and model city in the Cagayan Valley.

T stands for Trabaho para sa lahat; O for Orgnisadong programang pangkabuhayan; D for Developing Santiago City into a model city in region 02; O for Order and peaceful city; H for Housing for Santiaguenos;; A for Alalay sa Edukasyon at Kalusugan; T for Tubig sa bawat tahanan and; W- Wakasan ang hidwaan sa siyudad. (PIA Isabela)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080507.htm&no=32

[CabanNgTuwa]

http://www.kuhanisepe.com/santiagocity/general_info.htm

[freightrunner]

Kumusta dagitay barkada dita Isabela. Agpost kay met a.

[garzland]

Can somebody post some pictures of the business districts of some towns or cities here? I haven't been in this province. I just want some ideas how Isabela looks like.

[kaliluzman]

I've been in Isabela several times already. The province is gifted with nature's wonder, most espacially Palanan (medyo mahirap nga lang puntahan, pero it adds excitement). Comment ko lang sa City of Santiago, masyado siyang dis-organized and marumi (sorry sa mga taga-dito). Sana their government will do something about this. Ang ganda pa naman ng Isabela.

[allan_dude]

Cebu Pacific joins PAL return to Cauayan domestic airport

By Villamor Visaya Jr.
Northern Luzon Bureau


CAUAYAN CITY, Philippines -- After eight years, domestic flights of two airlines in the country are allowed to offer connecting flights from Manila to the Cauayan Domestic Airport here in Isabela.

Cauayan City Mayor Caesar Dy said Cebu Pacific Airlines and Philippine Airlines would resume flights to the city's airport this July and August, respectively, after getting approval papers from the Air Transportation Office and the city government.

Dy, who was informed with official letters from the ATO and the said airline companies, said the inaugural flight of Cebu Pacific with an 18-seater plane was supposed to start on June 12 but was sidelined by the erratic weather condition.

When the airline officials scheduled their flight a week later, Typhoon "Frank" (international codename: Fengshen) arrived forcing them to cancel the trip schedule, he added.

Dy said he was unsure on what type of planes will be used by the said airline entities, although he was told that a Boeing or Fokker type of planes may be used.

Domestic flights were finally approved, Dy said, after at least P58 million funds were poured in by the government, with Japan Bank for International Cooperation Assistance, for modernization program.

Installed at the airport were the state-of-the-art navigational equipment, power generation facility, and the six-storey tower, it was learned.

The Cauayan city airport's runway was expanded to a two-kilometer-long from a kilometer-long runway to make it capable of accommodating Boeing 737 and C130, both large air carriers.

The airport had its last domestic flight in 2000. Asian Spirit airline used to ply its route in 1999 until its permit was revoked in 2000 following a plane crash in Cabarroguis, Quirino that killed 18 people there.

Philippine Airlines, on the other hand, terminated its Manila-Cauayan missionary flights in 1999 due to "irreversible business losses."

Earlier, the Regional Development Council in the region has sought the help of the Department of Transportation and Communication for the reopening and promotion of connecting flights to and from Manila through the city's domestic airport to boost economic development in the region.

The RDC then resolved that domestic airport flights would spur "development of an inter-modal transportation system where the land, air and maritime transport complement will be achieved."

The airport has been used only by six-seater light planes from Cyclone Airways in commuting passengers and ferrying cargo from mainland Isabela to the coastal towns of Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan and Dinapigue.

"With the city's strategic location as a business hub, we hope to strengthen investments in Isabela," Dy added.

Domestic traffic records from the National Economic and Development Authority in Cagayan Valley earlier said that of the 45 out of 100 foreign and local air travelers went to Isabela for business and pleasure.

The Cauayan City council earlier passed a resolution seeking to reactivate the domestic airport to prop up President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of Cauayan City as one of the super-region development sites.

Vice Mayor Bartolome Malillin said the resumption of flights will further enhance business opportunities in the city.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080703-146250/Cebu-Pacific-joins-PAL-return-to-Cauayan-domestic-airport

[Ph Man]

i didn't know this thread exists! salamat guys for filling us in with these valuable info. i'm from Cauayan, few minutes away from the airport. and i'm excited about above news! naiiyak naman ako. high school pa ako nung natigil ang operation ng PAL due to the noncompliance of the signed MOA between ATO and the local government.

the problem came up because of the warehouses/buildings of Ropali Alingog and Manuel Tiu within the flight path went beyond the maximum height restriction for structures within the area. this happened the same time when PAL pilots complained against Sugarland Hotel (Bacolod). eventually, the hotel has its topfloor demolished to comply with ATO height restrictions.

so the "irreversible business losses" phrase above does not seem plausible to me.

we used to live in a place where the tower and part of the runway is visible. pero ngayon, medyo lumapit na kami sa airport kaya wala na ako makita. hopefully 5J will use Airbus jets. PAL will be using PAL Express, which hopefully will be changed soon into A319 or 320 when the market picks up.

[allan_dude]

Bello leads launching of DA central office's new home

Ilagan, Isabela -- Presidential Adviser for New Government Centers and Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III lead the launching of the Department of Agriculture central office new location situated at the old capitol building in this premier Isabela town.

In his launching message at the new DA office, Secretary Bello said that the relocation of DA in Isabela renews the strategic sole of Cagayan Valley in the Northern Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle.

Bello said that President Arroyo's deliberate commitment is to bring about a new government center to Cagayan Valley as among the remaining agricultural frontiers in the country.

Bello said that the transfer of DA central office in Cagayan Valley is made through valuable considerations especially in agricultural production of both rice and corn in the region and through the big support of the Isabela Provincial Government by implementing vital agriculture projects as its flagship program.

Gov. Grace Padaca welcomed the move of Malacanang in transferring in Isabela from Manila the central office of Department of Agriculture.

Padaca said that she is thankful for President Arroyo in choosing Isabela to be the place to transfer the DA. Padaca believed that the new home of DA in Isabela could be a big boost for more agriculture productivity in the province.

The launching was held in front of the DA's new building at Calamagui, Ilagan, Isabela attended by Department of Agriculture officials from Manila and in the Cagayan Valley region. (PIA Isabela)

[tracymack]

It makes sense to transfer the Department of Agriculture Central Office to a place that actually thrives on agriculture.

[gurugeri]

Visit www.missuniverse.com or www.nbc.com to vote for Miss Philippines for the Best National Costume award at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant. Vote ASAP kasi baka mag-close na ang voting. Thanks and God bless!