Bicol International Airport Development Project

[Brandon32]

Originally Posted by zoroethgenre_003

yehey..tuloy na pala talaga..viva Bicolandia..

haha. thanks rex...i hope sa inyo maumpisahan na rin...at sana magkaroon na ng legazpi-zamboanga flight soon! to open up more trades between cities

[zoroethgenre_003]

2010 pa at ang start ng construction dito..hindi pa xa nasali sa GAA ngaun..sayang..

[Brandon32]

Originally Posted by zoroethgenre_003

2010 pa at ang start ng construction dito..hindi pa xa nasali sa GAA ngaun..sayang..

i see pero ang site ba ng gagawing terminal building ay yung site din ng existing terminal ngayon?

[zoroethgenre_003]

Originally Posted by Brandon32

i see pero ang site ba ng gagawing terminal building ay yung site din ng existing terminal ngayon?

it will be relocated approximately 15 kilometers away from the existing airport..

[Brandon32]

Originally Posted by zoroethgenre_003

it will be relocated approximately 15 kilometers away from the existing airport..

wow...so ano na mangyayari sa existing airport nyo after? siguro gagawing export processing zone yan...alam mo siguro bakit nililipat nila airport sa medyo malayong lugar para ang city will have rooms for skyscrapers..pag ang airport kasi nasa ciudad mismo may height restrictions para sa mga buildings...look at paranaque and pasay areas na proximate sa airport...ang newport city na nga lang na katabi ng T3...i think hanggang 9 floors lang ang authorized sa area na dyaan parte

[Brandon32]

Tourism remains key sector in generating jobs amid global financial crisis -- PGMA
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2009 | TOURISM


BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan (PND) – Even in the midst of the global economic crisis, the tourism industry remains a key sector in generating jobs and various opportunities across the nation, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today.

“Tourism is one of the sectors we have to strengthen as our response to the global meltdown. We have done it today. We should continue to push it to provide jobs and vast opportunities to our people,” she said.

The President arrived in Boracay from Iloilo at 2 p.m. today and immediately proceeded to the five-star Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa together with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

She was welcomed by Gov. Carlito Marquez, Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling, Shangri-La general manager Andre Kretschmann and Shangri-La chief operating officer Greg Dogan.

The President said her administration has persistently pushed various tourism-related projects to create jobs and open livelihood opportunities, resulting in the industry’s unprecedented growth during the last four years.

She pointed out that the Philippines has a lot to offer to tourists, domestic and foreign alike, as amply demonstrated by the continuing increase in visitors arrivals. Tourist arrivals in Boracay alone rose by more than five percent from last January’s 48,000 to 51,000 this month.

“There are still many things that we have to accomplish but we will continue to promote Boracay as well as other destinations to ensure that tourism continues to be our flag bearer in economic progress and development. 10.6 percent annual average growth for the past four years! The best performance in 20 years of tourism history,” the President said.

But she pointed out that tourism should not be promoted at the expense of the environment. The government is aggressively promoting and carrying out environmental awareness and solid waste management programs to ensure the cleanliness and beauty of the country’s tourist destinations.

To make Central Philippines the country’s tourism beltway under her Super Regions concept, the President has ordered the upgrading of various airports in tandem with the improvement of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) system with the opening of new roads, bridges and roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry routes to spur inter-island trade, improve the distribution of basic goods, reduce travel time and transportation costs, and promote domestic tourism.

Investors have put up almost 7,000 new hotel and resort rooms of international classification worth P550 billion, “of which 2,000 will open this year, employing 3,000 Filipinos.”

“We will not stop. We will not be cowered by the global crisis. The government, this administration, will continue to be a strong partner of the tourism industry as we promote our nation and its natural beauty,” the President said.

After issuing her statement, the President convened the joint Cabinet-National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) group meeting at the Boracay Terraces Resort where she was further briefed by Durano on various accomplishments of the country on the tourism front.

Durano informed the President and the Cabinet members that last year Central Philippines cornered 33 percent of the total tourist arrivals in the country. This pales in comparison with the 14.5 percent increase in tourist arrivals recorded in 2005.

He said that close to six million domestic tourists alone visited Central Philippines last year.

In recent years, Durano said the number of foreign tourists who visited the country has increased further following the opening of direct flights between the Philippines and three destinations in Russia –the airports in Moscow, Vladivostok and the Lukhovitsy.

He said Taipei has also opened flights to Kalibo and Cebu, while the best connection to Europe is through the Qatar Airlines direct flight from Doha to Cebu.

Durano said flight frequencies also increased between the Philippines and Asian countries such Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea.

On the domestic front, Durano said that flights from Cebu to Siargao; Cebu to Legaspi City, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa City were opened this month.

Boracay now has flights to Busuanga and Puerto Princesa, both in Palawan.

In Central Philippines, Durano added that 32,696 hotel rooms are now available, with 6,600 more of international classification under construction.

He also said that among the noteworthy airport projects completed were the New Iloilo Airport, Bacolod Silay Airport and Busuanga Airport. The biggest road project, he said, was the completion of the 260-kilometer circumferential road in the island of Bohol, which is famous for its beaches, Chocolate Hills, tarsier and whale watching.

Big-ticket tourism-related projects to be completed soon are the Bicol International Airport and Sibulan Airport. The two airports will greatly reduce travel time to the whale-watching areas of Donsol, Sorsogon, he said.

The other vital air terminals include those in San Vicente and Puerto Princesa City both in Palawan which will provide easier and faster access to the famous Tubattaha Reef Natural Park, a UNESCO nature heritage site; and the 8.2-kilometer Underground River which are both top contenders in the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
source:http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=23769

[zoroethgenre_003]

Originally Posted by Brandon32

wow...so ano na mangyayari sa existing airport nyo after? siguro gagawing export processing zone yan...alam mo siguro bakit nililipat nila airport sa medyo malayong lugar para ang city will have rooms for skyscrapers..pag ang airport kasi nasa ciudad mismo may height restrictions para sa mga buildings...look at paranaque and pasay areas na proximate sa airport...ang newport city na nga lang na katabi ng T3...i think hanggang 9 floors lang ang authorized sa area na dyaan parte

one possibility is that, but rumors are spreading over Zamboanga that it will be converted into a sort of a mall or entertainment complex..we really dont know..

[Brandon32]

RP tourism growth seen to continue with programs under GREET
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2009 | TOURISM


MANILA (PNA) - The gentle butandings of Donsol, emerald beaches of Visayas and other cultural heritage sites across the country sum up why 3.14 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines in 2008.

The country, which is experiencing a surge in interest among rich vacationers and backpackers despite the global financial crisis, has identified its tourism industry as a veritable minefield that has been keeping the Philippine economy afloat by having locals engaged in the tourism business.

"Under the Grassroots Entrepreneurship and Employment in Tourism (GREET) program, the focus will be the participation of the community, among others," Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano said.

GREET is a component of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visionary program called Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) which initially intended to provide employment for Filipino workers who have trouble finding jobs and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by massive layoffs abroad.

Due to the reeling effects of the global financial crisis, President Arroyo expanded CLEEP and poured on more budget, P10 billion to be exact, to help Filipinos through programs involving jobs generation, skills training, business financing and other measures that can help them get through the economic crunch.

Tourism has proved to be a rich source of employment. In Bicol region alone, 86,996 jobs were created out of tourism during the second quarter of 2008. Estimated receipts amounted to P168 million.

In Donsol, Sorsogon where the famous Butanding sightings are frequent, Durano led the Tourism department in promoting a program called Turismo Mismo (TM), a program that underscores the role of tourism in uplifting the lives of local communities in poverty-stricken areas of the countryside, particularly the Bicol region.

Durano granted financial assistance to the Butanding Boat Owners Association to improve and upgrade boat facilities and safety features for use of both local and foreign tourists.

The program has contributed socio-economic solution to the community as at least 60 people, some of whom were former communist insurgents, have returned to normal living and are now advocates of ecotourism following their trainings in the TM program.

GREET and TM are twin programs that seek to enhance livelihood opportunities among micro-entrepreneurs in the tourism industry while advocating environmentally sustainable and socially equitable practices in local communities, particularly in Donsol—the whale shark capital of the world, and one of the better ecotourism destinations in the country.

Leyte and Samar are lucky as well.

Under the TM program, the Himokilan Tourism Council of the island barangay of Himokilan in Hindang, Leyte, was awarded with a P100,000 funding for the construction of 1 unit motorized banca in Himokilan Island and development of a mini-park and resort with cottages and telescopic viewing deck.

Himokilan Island is just one of the Philippines' hidden treasures, the largest island of the Cuatro Islas where the big delicious coconut-cracking crabs called "tatus" are found. It is a potential dive site, but is currently declared as marine sanctuary, allowing only snorkeling for recreation activity.

The Cambaro Cave Protectors and Farmers Association will be given P100,000 for its Tour Guiding, Food and Beverage and Accommodation Project. The project calls for the setting up of tour guiding, accommodation facilities, food and beverage facilities and souvenir shops at Cambaro, Macrohon, Southern Leyte.

GREET is a CLEEP component mainly implemented in Regions VI and VIII, where a huge chunk of tourist visits is seen.

In Region VIII, the DOT allocated an initial funding of about P730,000 for the first six beneficiaries of the Grassroots Entrepreneurship in Tourism (GREET).

A P100,000 funding will be given for the construction of colorful wooden boats for rent at Barangay Lake Danao in Ormoc City; the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar will be given a P100,000 grant for the purchase of surfing equipment such as long board leg ropes for their Surfing School at Barangay Bato in Borongan City.

The Basey Tourism Services Association of Basey, Samar, will be given a P230,000 funding for its Community-Based Sustainable Tourism Project which calls for the construction of a floating restaurant going to the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge.

These tourism-booster programs aim to benefit from the tourism industry as much as neighboring countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia, among others, do from thousands of visitors who flock to see their temples, parks and cities.

CLEEP was also designed to protect the most vulnerable sectors from threats and consequences of reduced or loss of income as a result of the global financial crisis by providing emergency employment and funding and supervising livelihood projects.

It is aimed at achieving two crucial objectives: to build the capacities of Filipino workers and afford them the skills they need to compete in tougher job markets; and to create as many jobs as possible in the least possible amount of time for the poor through investments in public works and enterprise development. (PNA)

source:http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=23865

[megalgzp]

Wow I love reading your posts here! Runway is now on the way accg to my friends in that area. Accg to my sources: probably 2011 we''ll have the opening of BIA. Keep it up Brandon!

[Brandon32]

Originally Posted by megalgzp

Wow I love reading your posts here! Runway is now on the way accg to my friends in that area. Accg to my sources: probably 2011 we''ll have the opening of BIA. Keep it up Brandon!

thanks bro for the info...

[[dx]]

DPWH bids out P2.9 billion projects in Bicol
By Ed de Leon

Legazpi City (23 March) -- To be able to take advantage of the summer season the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here has bided out a total of P2.923 billion worth of pump-priming projects as part of the stimulus program of the government.

Eng'r Orlando Roces, DPWH Bicol regional director, said that the amount covers the implementation of a total of 87 projects in the six provinces of the Bicol region.

He said the 13 district engineering offices will implement 56 of the projects worth P836 million while 31 projects worth P2.087 billion will be implemented by the regional office through the construction division.

He said that the bidding was completed last week and construction will start by first week of April.

Roces explained that the bidding was hastened in line with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane to fast-track the bidding of the projects in line with the P330 billion stimulus package of the government that would generate some 15,000 jobs nationwide to mitigate the impact of global financial crisis in the country and at the same time improve the infrastructure facilities in the region.

He said that one of the projects involve the construction of the P100 million access road to the new Bicol International Airport being constructed in Barangay Alobo of Daraga, Albay.

He added that P200 million was also allocated for the completion of the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 60-kilometer Andaya Highway in the first district of Camarines Sur.

***

DA to build roads, irrigation system for jobs
By Juan Escandor Jr.
Inquirer Southern Luzon
03/30/2009

The Department of Agriculture has to focus on farm-to-market roads and irrigation projects to generate employment, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Saturday. “These two are the critical components in generating employment under the so-called Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program of the Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP),” Yap explained.

He said that for every hectare of irrigation facility project, they will be generating 12 jobs and for the road projects, 10 jobs for every kilometer of construction. Eduardo Yu, spokesperson of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Bicol, said the target irrigation facilities’ rehabilitation and new construction in Bicol cover 3,483 hectares for 2009, which could generate 41,796 jobs.

Yu said the job generation through fast-tracked implementation of infrastructure projects is part of the P6-billion allotment for the 2009 repair and rehabilitation of national irrigation and communal irrigation systems being implemented in the country. Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. described the ERP during an economic forum here Wednesday as the country’s contingency plan to weather the global economic downturn by fast-tracking government spending.

Andaya said Bicol is allotted in 2009 significant budgets for infrastructure that include construction (road opening) of Camarines Sur/Albay Diversion Road, including bridges; Bicol International Airport (new airport); Libmanan-Cabusao Irrigation Project, Camarines Sur; and Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Program (flood control component).

***

President Arroyo Cites Tourism as Key Sector in Generating Jobs Amid Global Crisis
Sunday, March 15, 2009, 20:07

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo says the tourism industry, against a background of a worldwide financial downturn, remains a key sector “in generating jobs and various opportunities” across the Philippines. The President reemphasized the work of tourism as a part of the Philippines’ “response to the global meltdown…We have done it today. We should continue to push it to provide jobs and vast opportunities to our people”.

She made the remarks at a recent ceremony in Boracay, where she convened a meeting of the Cabinet and the National Anti-Poverty Commission at the Boracay Terraces Resort. Among the Cabinet members in the presidential party was Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” H. Durano, “who further briefed the President on various accomplishments of the country on the tourism front,” says a Manila media wrapup of the event.

The goal of the Philippine Government, added the report, quoting official statements, “is to ensure that tourism continues to be our flag bearer in economic progress and development—10.6 percent annual average growth for the past four years, the best performance in 20 years of tourism history”. Secretary Durano as the head of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) cites Central Philippines as the prospective tourism beltway under the President’s Super Regions concept.

The DOT chief said that “last year [2008] Central Philippines cornered 33 percent of the total tourist arrivals in the country…This pales in comparison with the 14.5 percent increase in tourist arrivals recorded in 2005”. In 2008, according to statistics, some 6 million domestic tourists visited Central Philippines.

Increased air flights, thousands of new hotel rooms, and enhanced involvement of tourism stakeholders are factors that have kept Philippine tourism upbeat. On a broader scope, there are noteworthy airport projects completed in several places across the Philippines. Additionally, up for completion soon, are the Bicol International Airport and Sibulan Airport.

Also according to tourism developments disseminated by Manila media, air terminals “in San Vicente and Puerto Princesa City, both in Palawan, will provide easier and faster access to the famous Tubattaha Reef National Park, a UNESCO nature heritage site, and the 8.2-kilometer Underground River which are both contenders in the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature”. The President’s words offer a preview. "We will not stop,” President Arroyo has declared. “We will not be cowered by the global crisis.”

[Rodel]

Originally Posted by megalgzp

Wow I love reading your posts here! Runway is now on the way accg to my friends in that area. Accg to my sources: probably 2011 we''ll have the opening of BIA. Keep it up Brandon!

are there any photos how the terminal building will look like?

[kalbongdad]

meron bia pala.....siguro reward yun kay salceda for calling pgma lucky bitch....what i mean is for being true to the president ang giving her good economic advise....meron sense si salceda kahit hindi siya kagwapuhan....

[Brandon32]

I like your humor Kal...Welcome to the thread.I think the BIA is part of the government's effort to develop and maximize the tourist potentials of the Philippine Archipelago.. Bicol region is part of the super regions created by the president which would specialize on tourism...International standard airport accommodation is a huge plus in attracting foreign and local tourists...And by 2013, we will have an operating BIA, in Bgy Alobo, Daraga, Albay...

[kalbongdad]

wala pa bang napapadpad sa lugar na yon at picturan man lang para meron lang pic to start with....kahit mga nag bubulldoze man lang...anybody?

[marlowe_cano]

Originally Posted by Brandon32

haha. thanks rex...i hope sa inyo maumpisahan na rin...at sana magkaroon na ng legazpi-zamboanga flight soon! to open up more trades between cities

oo nga para madali na lang pumunta ng CWS...

[[dx]]

RDC 5 recommends projects for Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP)

The Regional Development Council identified projects for inclusion in the Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP), during its February 4 meeting at the NEDA Region 5, Legazpi City.

According to RDC Chairman, Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, the government must invest in infrastructure to create jobs and upgrade the country’s capital stock for faster economic growth. The proposed priority infrastructure projects are supportive to the objectives and strategies of the Updated Bicol Regional Development Plan (RDP).

The RDC recommended immediate implementation of the following infrastructure projects:

(1) Construction of Bicol International Airport (New Legazpi Airport);
(2) Rehabilitation of Pantao Port;
(3) Concreting of Libon-Marocmoc-Pantao Road;
(4) Improvement of Catanduanes Circumferential Road, Phase 2;
(5) Improvement of Sipocot-Baao Road Section;
(6) Construction of Caramoan Peninsula Road;
(7) Construction GMA Highway (Cam. Sur-Albay diversion Road;
(8) Construction of Albay West Coast Road;
(9) Concreting of Bagong Silang-Capalonga Road;
(10) Concreting of Tinambac-Siruma Road;
(11) Improvement and asphalt overlaying of Andaya Highway;
(12) Construction of Balud Port;
(13) BRBWMP – Flood and Hazard Mitigation component;
(14) BRBWMP – Irrigation Modernization Component;
(15) BRBWMP – Watershed Management and Development Component;
(16) Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project;
(17) Mainline South Railway Project, Phase 1B (Lucena-Legazpi Section;
(18) Mainline South Railway Project Phase II (Extension to Matnog, Sorsogon.

[lochinvar]

It seems like Gov. Salceda is amenable to have a conference with other provincial governors of Bicol (especially Camarines Sur) as to the final location of the purported Bicol International Airport. Daraga's location may still be tentative.

[Brandon32]

Maybe you've read an article published years ago and is no longer updated..BIA is being constructed in Bgy., Alobo, Daraga, Albay...Other than that, well, its another and separate project.

[arianespace]

Daraga is it! whether the local politicians like it or not. Unless of course if they can finance the project on its own which I doubt. But how can you a start a mega project when you still have problems with land acquisitions?

It took almost 15 years for Laguindingan Airport to rise due to land dispute, and by my count, Bicol will suffer the same fate unless landowners accept the compensation offered by the government. But the thing is, some magicians from DOTC jacked the prices up for some lucrative reasons.

I think they should focus on that aspect first, rather than debating where. Land acquisition is the government's counterpart for the project and they are not even done yet. Without which, there will be no airport to speak off.

And before I forget, when this airport opens, both Legaspi and Naga airports will be decommissioned for civilian traffic due to viability issues. I hope Bicolanos are prepared for that!

I might as well say dream on!