Tropical depression “Urduja” is moving closer to Leyte province where it is expected to make landfall Tuesday morning, weather bureau PAGASA reported.

The storm was last spotted at 4 a.m. in the vicinity of Dinagat or 50 kilometers east northeast of Maasin, Southern Leyte. It is moving west northwest at 15 kph with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near center.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 has been raised over Masbate, Romblon, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran, Leyte Provinces, Cebu, Camotes Island, Bohol, Negros Provinces, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Siargao Island and Dinagat.

The weather bureau warned those in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes residing in areas under Signal No. 1 to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.

“Urduja” is expected to be at 30 km west northwest of Roxas City Wednesday morning, 180 km west northwest of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Thursday morning, and 530 km west northwest of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Friday morning.

Rains and gusty winds

The weather forecast issued at 5 a.m. stated that Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao will have rains and gusty winds with moderate to rough seas.

The rest of Mindanao, meanwhile, will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Southern Luzon, on the other hand, will be mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers while the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers.

PAGASA added that moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon. Its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Winds elsewhere will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to northwest with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms. (abs-cbnnews.com)
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The provincial government of Surigao del Norte is now in full gear for the preparation of this year's Mindanao Week of Peace, which is scheduled on November 26 to December 2, 2009. The theme for the celebration is "Think Mindanao, Feel Mindanao, Bring Peace to Mindanao".

DILG Surigao del Norte Prov'l Director Rodulfo Nasi bared a number of activities during the Provincial Development Council-Development Administration Committee meeting last Thursday, Nov. 19 at the PPDO Conference Room, Capitol Compound, Surigao City, and this include the opening salvo at the Provincial Convention Center dubbed as Peace Caravan: 3rd Peace Day Celebration on Nov. 26, 2009. And on Nov. 27, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in partnership with the Surigao del Norte Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) will distribute bundles of joy to the IP community of Brgy. Magtangale in San Francisco town.

While Nov. 29 has been assigned as Peace Sunday to all local churches throughout the province, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) regional office, on the other hand, will hold a concert for peace at the City Hall Canopy on that same day.

A forum on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Awarding of 2009 Cleanest & Greenest LGU will highlight the December 1 activity at the provincial convention center. And on Dec. 2, a scheduled tree planting activity spearheaded by the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) will be conducted at Brgy. Ipil, Surigao City. Culminating the weeklong-activity is the Interschool Oratorical Contest organized by the Prov'l Social Service Office.

The celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, as decreed through a Presidential Proclamation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is celebrated each year from the last Thursday of November to the first Wednesday of December.

The proclamation enjoins and encourages all concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations and members of the private sector and civil society based in Mindanao to engage in relevant and meaningful activities in celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace in coordination with the Bishops-Ulama Forum. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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Asia’s third-largest low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) brings back its ‘Go Lite’ PHP 1 seat sale to all international and domestic destinations for the promo period of November 21-22, 2009 only, or until more than 50,000 seats have been sold out. Travel period is June 15-September 30, 2010.

The airline’s 32 domestic destinations are up for grabs through this website promo, including Cebu-Siargao, Cebu-Ozamiz, Cebu-Clark, Manila-San Jose, and Manila-Kalibo (Boracay), among many others.

CEB also offers the lowest fare alternative for international flights with the PHP 1 sale, including flights to Taipei, Kota Kinabalu, Pusan (Korea), Osaka and Jakarta.

Passengers with check-in luggage will just add PHP 100 upon booking. The PHP 1 is exclusive of government taxes and administration fees.

“CEB’s PHP 1 seat sale earlier this month sold out in a day, and we have been getting numerous requests for more seats. This is our way of thanking our loyal guests, and we certainly hope to see more people flying in 2010,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

“We also wish to encourage passengers to book their flights early, and what better way to reinforce this message than bring back our trademark ‘piso’ seat sale for next year’s travel,” she added.

She encouraged everyone to act fast and book their promo seats online. This promotion is only available via www.cebupacificair.com or through travel agents using the Amadeus global distribution system.

The Philippines’ leading domestic airline, CEB has a fleet of 21 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR72-500 aircraft, the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines and one of the youngest in Asia. It has flown over 36 million passengers since its inception in 1996.
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A weather disturbance that threatens to become yet another cyclone intensified into a low-pressure area and moved closer toward Mindanao early Friday.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the LPA was estimated at 310 km east of northern Mindanao as of 2 a.m.

"Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Eastern Mindanao which may triggerflashfloods and landslides," Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

Should the LPA intensify into a cyclone, it will be code-named "Urduja," the 21st cyclone to enter Philippine territory.

Pagasa also said northern Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered light rains due to the northeast monsoon affecting the area while the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The Philippines is still reeling from the effects of tropical cyclones "Ondoy," "Pepeng," and "Santi" which claimed nearly a thousand lives and destroyed over a billion worth of properties and agricultural products. - GMANews.TV
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Forty-two schools are vying for the prestige of being proclaimed the "greenest" school during the culminating event of the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools today at the SM City North Edsa.The top three winners proclaimed for each level (elementary, high school and college) will receive cash prizes of P50,000, P40,000 and P30,000 for first, second and third place respectively and plaques of recognition. Competing are 15 elementary schools, 15 high schools and 12 colleges that made it to the regional finals.

"We are happy to support this initiative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and education institutions which we hope will make environmental advocates of our youth," said Ramon R. Isberto, public affairs group head of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).

Smart is hosting the awarding ceremonies of the nationwide search organized by the DENR– Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), DepEd, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to recognize academic institutions with exemplary environmental programs. The event is timed with the celebration of National Environmental Awareness Month.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said that the nationwide competition not only recognizes, but motivates schools that practice eco-friendly programs and initiatives. "We need to start teaching our kids as early as we can to take responsibility in safeguarding our environment. Schools are dynamic focal points of learning and powerful vehicles of change. Parents and teachers can work together to spread the wonders of living an environmentally-smart lifestyle," he said.

For the elementary level, those that made it to the regional finals are North Central Elementary School, Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Peñablanca East Central School, Peñablanca, Cagayan; Baliwag North Central School, Baliwag, Bulacan; Manghinao Elementary School, Bauan, Batangas; P.Garcia Memorial Elementary School in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; Sunshine International School, Legazpi City, Albay; Ara-al Elementary School, La Carlota, Negros Occidental; Asia Elementary School, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental; Bantayan Central Elementary School, Bantayan Island, Cebu; Tongonan Kananga School for Excellence, Kananga, Leyte; Buenavista Elementary School, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte; Marawer Elementary School, Kapatagan, Digos City, Davao del Sur; Cotabato City Central Pilot School, Cotabato City, Maguindanao; Badas Elementary School, Placer, Surigao del Norte; and Pembo Elementary School, Pembo, Makati City.

For the high school level, the regional finalists are Don Bosco High School, Lagawe, Ifugao; Solsona National High School, Solsona, Ilocos Norte; Bukig National Agricultural and Technical School, Aparri, Cagayan; Alexis Santos High School, Bustos, Bulacan; Don Pedro Guevara High School, Sta. Cruz, Laguna; President Diosdado Macapagal Memorial National High School, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro; Camarines Sur National High School, Naga City, Camarines Sur; La Castellana National High School, La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Malingin National High School, Daan Bantayan, Cebu; San Policarpio National High School, Calbayog City, Samar; Sulangon National High School, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte; Daniel Aguinaldo National High School, Davao City, Davao; Tampakan National High School, Tampakan, South Cotabato; Agusan National High School, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Malabon National High School, Malabon City. (malaya)

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A commotion happened on November 12 at 2:30 on the afternoon inside the Cockpit Arena located at Brgy Quano, Alegria, Surigao del Norte, when one Ronald Mirasol Baloran, 49 yrs old, married and resident of P-6, Brgy Alipao, Alegria was shot to death by unidentified suspects with the use of caliber .45 pistol and wounded three other persons who were hit by an astray bullets.

Responding police identified the wounded victims as Alexander Planas Calang, 30 yrs old, and an OFW , a resident of Brgy Magsaysay, Placer, Surigao del Norte, who was hit on his left ankle, Eusebio Bolenawa, 68 yrs old, married, a resident of Brgy Quano in Alegria, who was hit on his left breast and Jerome Morales Española, 51 yrs old, married and a resident of Brgy Dayamo, Mainit, Surigao del Norte who was hit on his head.

All wounded victims were rushed to Caraga Regional Hospital for medical treatment.

Initial investigation conducted by Alegria Municipal Police Station revealed that while the victims watching cockfights inside the establishment, suspects came and without apparent reason shot the victim Ronald Mirasol Baloran hitting at the different parts of his body resulting to his instantaneous death and carted away the cal .45 pistol from the victim.

Suspects then fled to mountainous area of Brgy Quano, Alegria, Surigao del Norte after the incident.

Hot pursuit operation now conducted by joint PNP personnel of Surigao del Norte PPO and Alegria MPS against the fleeing suspect.

As of press time, motive has yet to be established. (mindanao.com)

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The unit of listed Century Peak Metals Holdings Corp. has completed its second shipment of nickel ore from a mine in the Dinagat Islands to China.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the parent said its subsidiary Century Peak Corp. shipped a total of 39.248 million metric tons of ore, with guaranteed nickel content of between 0.90% and 1.10%, and iron content of 48%.

Century Peak is planning to build a P7-billion nickel smelting plant in the country to have fully integrated mining operations.

The company is now in the process of selecting a suitable site for the smelting plant, which is expected to have an output of 20,000 metric tons annually.

Construction of the plant is slated for late this year. It will be operational next year.

Century Peak has a nickel ore exploration permit covering 3,188 hectares of land in Albor, Dinagat Province. It also has a pending exploration permit over a 5,135-hectare property in Iwahig, Puerto Princesa. (abs-cbnnews.com)
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The Department of Tourism (DOT), Caraga Regional Office in partnership with One Corporate Grand Tours, Inc. will open the first ever students and tourism stakeholders' national convention today, November 16, 2009 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention, this city. The activity will run until Thursday, November 19.

The activity aims to provide an avenue for students, school heads and tourism stakeholders to enrich their understandings on the current trends of tourism and create a synergetic response to its challenges. The convention will also bring together students from different regions as well as tourism stakeholders from all over the country.

Invited speakers include DOT Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, former DND Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, DOT Usec. Oscar Palayab, Ms. Prescilla Calimag of the DOT's Office of Tourism Development Planning, and Dr. Erlinda Burton of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City.

During the break-up sessions, the participants will be divided into four groups with different speakers invited to share their experiences in tourism-related activities.

Among the invited speakers are Mr. Celestino Ulep, Tourism Consultant; Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra; PSSupt. Nestor Fajura of Police Regional Office (PRO)-13; Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco; Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian of Butuan City; and Dr. Irennetta Montinola, Surigaonon Heritage Foundation Executive Director.

A registration fee of Php 2,500 will be collected for live-out participants while Php 3,200 will be charged to live-in participants. (PIA-Caraga)
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A 5.5-magnitude quake hit Caraga Region again late on Wednesday, seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The tremor struck the island of Mindanao at 9:48 pm (1348 GMT), at a depth of 59km, the US Geological Survey said.

It was felt in Butuan City with intensity 6 and Surigao City with only intensity 4.

The epicentre was 37km north of the city of Butuan and 58km south of Surigao, both on Mindanao, USGS said.
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Zest Air has resumed the Zamboanga-Sandakan (Malaysia) route, flying there thrice weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The route was suspended in April last year under Asian Spirit and resumed on October 16 under Zest Air, the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) reported.

The flight between Zamboanga and Davao uses a 56-seater MA60 modern ark aircraft.

ZestAir flies to Sandakan Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:45 noon, arriving there at 2:05 p.m. The plane departs Sandakan for Zamboanga at 2:50 p.m., arriving there at 4:10 p.m.

From Manila, Zest Air flies daily to Davao, thrice weekly to Siargao in Surigao del Norte (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting November 17), four times weekly to Surigao City in Surigao del Norte (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays starting November 16). (Mindanews.com)

From Cebu, ZestAir flies daily to Cagayan de Oro and Davao City and thrice weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) to Zamboanga.

Starting December 8, ZestAir will fly four times a week to Siargao on Tuesdays, Thurdsdays, Saturdays and Sundays. (MindaNews)
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An earthquake rocked Butuan and Surigao cities Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology-Surigao reported.

The tremor struck at 6:28 a.m. and was felt at Intensity 3 in Butuan City and Surigao City. Phivolcs-Surigao Head Daphne Agonia said the earthquake was tectonic in origin.

She said she does not expect the tremor to cause damage to property. (abs-cbnnews.com)

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A strong alliance of municipal mayors from the second congressional district of the province are strongly endorsing the political tandem of Dr. Sol Matugas and Prov’l. Board Member Carlos Egay, Jr. as Partido Padajon Surigao’s bets for governor and vice-governor, respectively, for the May 2010 local elections.

The endorsement was made by Mainit Mayor Ramon Mondano, Gigaquit Mayor Carlos Egay, Sr., Bacuag Mayor Shiela Mae Orquina-Cebedo, San Francisco Mayor Simplicia Bacol, Malimono Mayor Teodoro Senaca, Jr., Tubod Mayor Cristina Romarate-Arcillas, Taganaan Mayor Cesar Diaz, Sison Mayor Leicester Fetalvero, Alegria Mayor Dominador Esma, Claver Vice-Mayor Rosemarie “Nene” Gokiangkee and Placer Vice-Mayor Philip Adlao during the occasion of the “Seminar on Security and Peace and Order” held at the Tubod municipality on Nov. 6, 2009.

The political endorsement is expected to rally the support of thousands and thousands of Surigaonons who long dreamed of a change of hands in the Provincial Capitol and snowball a province-wide clamor for a clean, untarnished and transparent leadership.

Bacuag Mayor Shiela Mae Orquina-Cebedo, popularly known as Cinderella Mayor owing to her charming personality, obscurity to fame political story, sincere heart for the poor and transparent leadership, disclosed that the combined intelligence, popularity and untainted image as public officials of Dr. Sol Matugas and Board Member Carlos Egay, Jr. are what the people of Surigao Del Norte really need.

“It’s high time that we give our people the credible choices for governor and vice-governor in the persons of Ma’am Sol and Board Member Jun Egay whose integrity and record of public service are beyond reproach,” stressed the Cinderella mayor.sol

“Personally, I have great faith the tandem of Ma’am Sol and Jun Egay would definitely deliver the best quality of working leadership that would be truly responsive to the needs of our people and reflective of church-taught human values,” the gorgeous Bacuag mayor concluded.

Dr. Sol Matugas is the wife of District 1 representative Cong. Francisco Matugas. She recently retired as Regional Director of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 8 and was the acknowledged founder of DepEd-Caraga. Until her retirement on Oct. 21, 2009, she was held in high esteem as one of the leading educators in the country and the longest-serving President of the Association of DepEd Directors.

On the other hand, Board Member Carlos Egay, Jr. is presently a popular practicing lawyer and topnotch provincial board member from District 2. He is the son of Gigaquit Mayor Carlos Egay, Sr. and former Mayor Elvira Egay. (Jun Parada, mindanao.com)
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Ang kasamtangang pangagamhanan sa probinsya ubos sa pagdumala ni Gov. Robert Ace Barbers, inabagan sa Public Employment Services Office (PESO) sa probinsya, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), POEA ug ang TESDA mohatag na usab ug laing higayon nga makatrabaho ang pipila nato ka mga kaigsuonang Surigaonon nga wala nay trabaho o wala pa makakita ug trabaho.

Sugod karong adlawa, Nobyembre 11, 2009 hangtud ugmang adlawa, ang maong mga buhatan mopahigayon sa ilang Jobs Fair o Jobs Bridging nga pagahimuon didto sa Provincial Convention Center, ning atong dakbayan. Ang maong jobs fair abli sa tanan nga kasamtangang mangitag trabaho, mga fresh graduates o kadtong mga gusto magtrabaho gawas sa nasud.

Sa maong kalihukan, aduna usab Migrant Desk nga ipahimutang alang sa tanang overseas workers nga adunay mga pangutanao mga nagitag katin-awan kalabot sa ilang mga kahimtang didto gawas sa nasud.

Dako ang panghinaut ni Gov. Ace Barbers nga ang maong jobs fair makahatag ug dakong tabang sa tanang naginahanglan niini. Iya usab nga gilauman ug gipanglantawan nga kining mga trabaho makahatag ug higayon aron nga ilang magamit ang ilang mga nakat-onan sa tulungha-an, sa mga pagbansay-bansay nga ilang gisalmutan ug sa mga niaging eksperyensya sa pagpanarbaho aron sila molambo ug aron nga mamahimo silang tinuod nga episyente ug epektibong katawhan sa katilingban. (PGO-SDN Media Bureau)

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Economic boom is expected to continue as more investors, both foreign and domestic, are coming in due to the business holidays extended to investments made in Surigao City.

“Aside from mining business, fishing and agriculture, investors are also eyeing on tourism industry,” said City Mayor Pons Casurra.

Added to the influx of business in that northeastern tip city of Caraga Region is the city ordinance that provides for the granting of several business tax incentives and other privileges to qualified investors and enterprises.

The recently created Surigao City Investment Board (SCIB) will oversee the direct implementation of the said ordinance, Casurra added.

“City Ordinance No. 246 significantly contributes to the city’s socio-economic development and industrialization,” he stressed.

The various businesses now seen around the city also added employment and livelihood to Surigaonons.

These big investments that added to employment are in the agriculture, manufacturing/processing industries, mining, tourism, renewable energy development and industrial tree plantation.

Some of the business incentives include exemption from the payment of business taxes and basic property tax, except the one-percent special education fund imposed by the city government under existing tax and revenue ordinances.

This incentive will be enjoyed for a period of three years starting from the approval of the application.

One of the incentives grants a prospective investor to use city government-owned lands for free for a period of ten years subject to the recommendation of the SCIB and the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, provided that the applicant must develop the said area with a minimum capital investment on building and/or equipment of P15,000,000.

The ownership of the said development, including building and equipment, will be transferred to the city government upon the expiration of the ten-year lease period. (Mike Crismundo, MB)
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To extend its trademark low fares to more Surigaonons in the city, Cebu Pacific (CEB) will soon increase its frequency to Surigao City – Cebu route.

Starting January 13, 2010, CEB’s flight from Cebu to Surigao currently four times weekly will become five times weekly while flight from Cebu to Siargao currently three times weekly will become two times weekly.

The Cebu – Surigao service operates every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday but starting Jan. 13, 2010, it will now operate every Tuesday, WEDNESDAY, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday using its 72-seater ATR Turbo prop plane.

Meanwhile, the Cebu-Siargao service which operates every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will now reduce to only Monday and Friday effective Jan. 13, 2010. (Surigao Today)

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58 job applicants were immediately hired and another 957 await employers’ interviews as a result of the recently concluded Jobs Fair/Job Bridging activity held last October 28-29, 2009 at the Surigao City Auditorium.38 more job hopefuls are being line-up for future vacancies.

Attended by no less than 1,070 job seekers and supported by five (5) recruitment agencies for overseas employment coming from the Cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro, the activity was organized by the City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) headed by its manager Mr. Rolando H. Uyan, in support of the on-going effort by the city government to provide employment opportunities for its constituents. Employment promotions through Jobs Fair and related activities has been among the banner socio-economic advocacies under the present administration of Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra.

Aside from the five (5) out-of-town recruiters, one (1) Enterprise Bank offering for local employment also joined the activity. (surigaocity.gov.ph)

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The Kapit-Bisig laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) Para sa Kalayaan Barangays Program (KBP) continues to provide selected barangays in the city with the much-needed basic infrastructure facilities.The recently concluded turn-over ceremony of the newly-renovated Health Center and the newly-built two-classroom building at Brgy. Mabini, this city last November 5, 2009, has once again proved the national and local government’s commitment to provide the best for its people even in the far-flung barangays.

No less than the Honorable City Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra represented the city government on this momentous occasion together with Vice-Gov. Noel Catre representing the provincial government, Asst. Regional Director Cecilia Lopez of the National Economic Development Authority, and Major Amadeo Cruz, the Phil. Army 30th IB Executive Officer. Foreign guests present during the occasion were Pastor Charlie Sickles and Mr. Bob Wolfe together with their spouses and members of their evangelical ministry.

Other KALAHI-KBP projects that are scheduled to be turned over are the health center, school building, water system and farm-to-market road in Barangays Mapawa and Sukailang. (surigaocity.gov.ph)

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The Department of Tourism (DOT), Caraga Regional Office has partnered with One Corporate Grand Tours, Inc. in hosting the first students and tourism stakeholders’ national convention on November 16-19, 2009 in one of the local hotels here.

In a written statement sent to PIA by DOT-Caraga Regional Director Leticia dela Cruz-Tan, the activity aims to provide an avenue for students, school heads and tourism stakeholders to enrich their understandings on the current trends of tourism and create a synergestic response to its challenges.

Also, Dir. Tan said the convention will bring together students from different regions as well as tourism stakeholders from all over the country. “It will be a rare learning opportunity as seasoned speakers will shed light on various tourism issues and related topics which are of interest to all,” Tan said.

Dir. Tan also stressed that the activity is a pleasurable opportunity as participants will share experiences with people in the field. “At the same time, educate and motivate each other by sharing their knowledge and best practices with them,” she said.

Sec. Gilbert Teodoro of the Department of National Defense (DND) heads the list of speakers who will talk on the Effective Security and Safety Management and Its Implications to Tourism Development in the Philippines.

Bohol Provincial Governor Erico Aumentado will also be discussing the topic on how to address the Challenges of Tourism Impacts to the Local Community. Sec. Teodoro and Gov. Aumentado will be the speakers on the first day.

On the following day, Atty. Oscar Palabyab, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices is the third speaker who will discuss the Basic Tenets of the New Tourism Act and Its Implications to the Industry.

Meanwhile, Ms. Prescilla Calimag of the DOT’s Office of Tourism Development Planning is tasked to share her insights on Ecotourism, A Tool in Innovating Tourism Destination Management.

The last speaker of the day is Dr. Erlinda Burton of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City. She will discuss on the significance of the Balangays to Philippine History and Tourism.

During the break-up sessions, the participants will be divided into four groups with different speakers invited to share their experiences in tourism-related activities.

Among those who will be invited to speak are Mr. Celestino Ulep, Tourism Consultant; Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra; PSSupt. Nestor Fajura of Police Regional Office (PRO)-13; Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco; Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian of Butuan City; and Dr. Irennetta Montinola, Surigaonon Heritage Foundation Executive Director.

A registration fee of Php 2,500 will be collected for live-out participants while Php 3,200 will be charged to live-in participants.

For further information, visit the activity’s official website at www.tourismnationalconvention.com or contact (085) 341-8413. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)

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The newly formed Mindanao Tourism Council is concerned over the dearth of new travel packages offered by Mindanao tour operators that could attract travelers even from within the island.

Dindo T. Ilagan, council chairman, said new attractions are needed with the global economic slowdown forcing tour operators to rethink their market and foreign tourists scrimping on travel in favor of basic necessities.

With this environment, there is a need to find new tour packages other than the usual beaches, mountains, and cultural sites in order to meet the discriminating demand from travelers.

"We need to have a unified, concerted effort to develop tourism, and our approach is, let’s target tourists from Mindanao first," he said.

The Davao Region alone, he added, has a couple of million potential tourists enough to support the island’s tourism industry.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for Mindanao tourism is the undeserved reputation of the island as a war-torn area.

By enticing Mindanao tourists to cross regions within the island, the council hopes it will create a ripple effect for visitors in Luzon and the Visayas to also check out the sites in Mindanao.

He said adventure tourism is still the way to go for Mindanao, and tour operators can take advantage of the number of zipline, spelunking, and diving activities sprouting all across the island to entice locals into testing their limits.

With this in mind, tour operators in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte, are offering a two-day and three-night all-inclusive package for Gloria’s Fantasyland that features 35 amusement rides, a commercial complex which includes a bowling alley and darts hall, beauty and recreation centers, Internet cafes, restaurants, gym, souvenir shops, and convenience centers for P6,000.

However, he quickly added the P6,000 will not include transportation costs going to Dapitan. "Once you are in the port, we will fetch you," he said.

Arecili L. Ayuste, Davao Region Tourism Council head, confirmed the observation that there’s lack of new creative packages for the island.

She said with the rich flora and fauna endemic to Mindanao, tour operators could even offer safari packages to differentiate from the usual mountain resorts and white beaches that are also offered in Luzon and Visayas.

But Ms. Ayuste said convenience should be the primary concern when offering packages.

She said it’s especially difficult when the destination is a newly discovered one, which means accommodation and infrastructure could be a problem.

Last August, tourism sector unveiled a P1-million three-dimensional topographical map showing the highways and bridges that connect key destinations spots in Mindanao to help would-be travelers plan their routes. -- Joel B. Escovilla, Business World
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The Philippine government aims to approve contracts to explore and develop the country's massive geothermal energy resources, which could attract more than $2.5 billion in private investment, an official said.

The Philippines, the world's second-largest developer of geothermal energy, plans to approve 19 deals in the next five months to allow foreign and domestic companies access to geothermal projects, the division chief for geothermal energy at the Philippine Energy Department, Alejandro Oanes, told Reuters.

Philippine power producer Energy Development Corp and Envent, a unit of Geysir Green Energy, one of Iceland's biggest geothermal energy companies, were among groups vying for contracts to tap the country's geothermal resources, he said.

"Incentives for renewable projects are giving (the country's) geothermal development a much needed boost," said Oanes in a telephone interview from Manila.

Tax holidays and tariff exemptions for renewable energy projects are boosting investment in clean energy in the Philippines, with the government recently awarding 87 contracts to develop alternative energy sources.

Geothermal power accounted for 17 percent of the country's total power mix at the end of 2008, with installed capacity close to 2,000 megawatts, energy department data showed.

The government was issuing tenders for the development of 10 geothermal sites and negotiating nine more deals directly with various companies, Oanes said. Combined, the deals could harness more than 620 megawatts of geothermal energy.

Geothermal sites covered in the deals include Mount Isarog, in Camarines Sur province, where about 70 MW of geothermal power could be developed. The government is also looking at resources in Mount Labo, Camarines Norte with a potential capacity of 65 MW.

Other provinces identified with geothermal resources include Benguet, Cagayan, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Surigao del Norte and Laguna.

(Reporting by Leonora Walet; Editing by Chris Lewis)

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AFTER an exhausting year on the WQS tour surfing poor quality waves, Queenscliff’s Sam Page was on a mission to find an event that would focus more on natural ability.

So when the opportunity came up to compete at a venue that is regarded as one of the most perfect, barrelling, right-hand reef breaks in the world, Page jumped at the chance.

The 2009 edition of the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational was blessed with some of the most amazing conditions seen for an event, with perfect 6-8 ft barrels rolling through the famous Cloud 9 line-up. Due to Siargao’s proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second-deepest stretch of water in the world.

It creates flawless, hollow barrelling waves and Page didn’t take long to find his feet, with the powerhouse pulling into some of the biggest barrels of his career.

The natural-footer isn’t renowned for his barrel-riding ability, but it didn’t take long for him to stamp himself as a standout in the line-up, posting some of the biggest scores of the event including one monster ride that saw him rewarded with a perfect 10 points.

In a stacked event he eventually went down to Hawaiian big-wave specialist Makua Rothman in what was a slow, fourth-round heat. Page started the heat on fire, posting a near perfect 9.5 ride, but a long lull meant he couldn’t find another set wave, giving the win to his opponent by the barest of margins.

“I’ve never been in an event where all you had to do was get barrelled, it was kind of a surreal feeling,” Page said. “It was unbelievable and I had some of the best heats of my career.

“I also got plenty of exposure from it which is always a good thing.” The former top junior has decided to take his career in a new direction in 2010, cutting back his WQS contest commitments to a select couple of events as he focuses on taking more surf trips as he continues to get footage for his series of surf flicks, called The Glimpse.

IT’S always great to see boardriders’ clubs getting behind any charity, and the Dee Why surfing fraternity is holding its annual event for the Black Dog Institute on Saturday.

The event is open to any under-18 boy or girl from this region and it’s sure to be a fantastic day out, so we encourage everyone to get behind this event and help the Dee Why crew raise important funds for the charity.

Registration is 7am, Start time 8am, Dee Why Beach, $5 entry fee and for information ring John on 0418 634 534. -ADAM HENNESSEY
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The recent birthday celebration of Gov. Jade Ecleo was not only memorable but also an affair to be reckoned with, cherished and remembered. The day also marked the unveiling of the 24-Hour Power in Dinagat Islands, giving the residents electricity round the clock. This is not only the greatest achievement she has done for her people but is testament to her commitment of service to them as well.

The birthday party started with a serenade from her constituents at exactly past midnight. It was a beautiful sight as they had candles lit, while the choirs and different groups took turns in serenading the governor.

And just as the affair was beginning, the biggest surprise for the governor came out – her eldest daughter Natasha who flew in from Manila just to be with her. The governor broke down into tears for she was overjoyed with the sight of her daughter carrying a birthday cake walking towards her. For the past three years or ever since she became governor, she has opted to celebrate her birthdays with her constituents, the Dinagatnons, away from her kids. They ended the serenade with a display of fireworks.

Everyone was given the chance to greet Gov. Jade and everyone expressed their love and their support.

As the evening progressed, the governor went on with her concert which she dedicated to them and which was aptly entitled “Gov. Jade’s Birthday Concert… Handog ko Para sa mga Mahal kong Dinagatnons.” It has become her tradition to gift her people with full entertainment as her way of thanking them for their unending love, support and dedication to her administration.

This year she invited the following artists to perform with her in the concert: Gabby Concepcion, Dingdong Avanzado, Jessa Zaragoza and Ara Mina. It was a night full of beautiful love songs as the Governor rendered duets with Gabby and Dingdong, a trio with Jessa and Ara Mina. There was also a rendition of a telenovela medley, the theme songs of some popular soap operas which the guest artists sang. They were joined by the governor’s brother, Mayor Benglen Ecleo.

Jessa sang songs from her album, “Jessa sings the Great Musical Icons.” The CD was one of the give-aways of the governor for the evening.

Dingdong Avanzado, the “Original Prince of Pop” proved to be the “Crush ng Bayan” still as the people screamed each time he got onstage. The most appreciated number was his duet with his wife Jessa.

Ara Mina, the sexy singer/ actress, won everyone’s heart and was welcomed with so much admiration.

Gabby Concepcion broke the house down as soon as he entered the stage, even without saying anything. The audience was just so thrilled that he was in Dinagat.

Aside from the guest performers, other special people close to the governor were also there to honor her on her birthday. It came as a surprise for everyone to see Mr. Milton Ngu sing a duet with Gov. Jade. The song was “I Will Take Care of You.”

The governor showed her dancing prowess as well. She had several mesmerizing numbers, one of which was her Bollywood medley wherein she did belly dancing. The audience, along with her constituents, really admired her for her amazing talent.

Lastly, she sang their (her’s and her constituents’) theme song, “Handog” which made everyone teary-eyed.

The night ended with so much joy and happiness in the hearts of the Dinagatnons, for once more it proved to them how much the governor loves them.

One too many were quoted as saying, “buong buhay namin, hindi namin makakalimutan ito. Hindi kami makapaniwala na makikita at makakapanood kami ng ganitong klase na show na may kalidad. At aming nakita ng personal ang mga de-kalidad na mga artista na ito. Mahabang panahon naming isasapuso ang alaala nitong birthday concert ng aming mahal na gobernador Jade Ecleo! Maraming salamat po! Mabuhay ka Governor Ecleo!” (CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN, MB)
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‘Discovery’, the in-flight entertainment guide on Cathay Pacific, in its October issue cover page titled ‘Cool Asia 2009’, describes itself as the “guide to the best of the region”. In the listing under best beaches is “Paradise Found: Siargao beach Philippines and Unawatuna beach Sri Lanka – a peaceful coastline hemmed with coconut trees”.

Being identified among the best by Cathay Pacific is a fillip for the location and the people who are poised to deliver and delight visitors. Cathay Pacific was voted the Airline of the Year 2009 in the Skytrax World Airline Awards – the third time in 10 years, and also named Best Airline in Asia.
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The government’s poverty alleviation program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, already served at least 123,993 household beneficiaries in various provinces, cities and municipalities in the Caraga Region and Region 10, it was learned Tuesday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with local government units (LGUs), started mobilizing Set 3, after successfully completing its Set 1 and Set 2.

A consolidated report from the DSWD stated that Caraga Region got the highest number of household beneficiaries under Set 1 and Set 2 with 68,282 while Region 10 served 55,711 household beneficiaries.

Records from the two regions also stated that close to P300 million was already disbursed to the 4Ps household beneficiaries.

“We are already in the move of identifying other household beneficiaries for Set 3 that may commence anytime in the Caraga Region,” said 4Ps regional focal person Neda P. Barrios.

She also said that 18 towns in the Caraga Region, mostly in Surigao del Sur and some parts in Surigao del Norte, Surigao City, Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Islands are targeted for Set 3.

DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat is personally spearheading the 4Ps project in the Caraga Region.

Meanwhile, Regional Information 1 Recthie Tolinero also said that coordinators and managers in the region are already identifying some potential household beneficiaries for Set 3.

These provinces are in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin and Bukidnon.

Last week, President Arroyo ordered the DSWD to also include the highlanders, particularly the Higaonon tribe in Misamis, Bukidnon and Agusan in the 4Ps program. The Chief Executive issued the directive while she was in Cagayan de Oro to address the First Mindanao Cooperative Summit. (MB)
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