Palawan News Online

State of Calamity declared for 14 Towns in Palawan

2013-11-16T14:34:00.000+08:00

Palawan's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMO) has released a report saying that due to the enormity of devastation inflicted in the province by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan), the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has placed the following 14 Palawan towns under the State of Calamity:

Agutaya
Araceli
Busuanga
Cagayancillo
Coron
Culion
Cuyo Dumaran
El Nido
Linapacan
Magsaysay
Roxas
San Vicente
Taytay

In a resolution that was unanimously passed by members of the SP, Board Member Leoncio Ola, who penned it, disclosed that around 20,308 families in these towns were affected by Yolanda, according to data provided by the PDRRMO.

Ola said the declaration aims to provide Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez with the authority to use the province’s calamity fund to reach out to the residents, who are in dire need of assistance.

The State of Calamity is defined as “a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard” as stated under Section 3 of RA 10121, known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.”

Areas under the declaration could utilize five percent (5%) of their annual budget to be set aside as an “annual lump sum appropriation for unforeseen expenditures arising from the occurrence of calamities.”

At least 20 people have been found dead after the super typhoon struck the municipalities in northern Palawan. 12 people have been found dead in the municipality of Coron according to the town’s disaster report, that indicated that most of the bodies found were from other island municipalities and were driven by strong waves and winds to the area.

Clara Reyes, Mayor of Coron, described the aftermath as follows: “We have no electricity, no water and our food supply can only last for six days. The problem is the municipality has no money to pay for the cargoes of relief goods, these are all commercial flights. Therefore, when we talk about relief goods of course they [the commercial flights? the companies?] don’t have any humanitarian consideration.”

“When the typhoon came, it was like you [were] behind a commercial jet that is ready to take off. That’s how it felt, what it sounded like. It lasted for three hours, and there was a lull of maybe two hours. I think that was the tail of the storm, and after two hours it started again,” Reyes said.

She conveyed the desperation of her distress call: “We are in urgent need of food, basically rice, drinking water; we need medicines like antibiotics, medicines for cough, fever; mosquito nets, blankets, clothes – because 85 percent of our people have lost their homes, including their belongings, so that they can rebuild their lives and they can have at least clothes [on] their backs.”

Meanwhile, Busuanga, the adjacent municipality of Coron, has only recorded three casualties at their end, while Cullion island town posted five deaths, based on separate disaster reports of the towns.

No one was reported injured in Busuanga, while Coron has 18 injured persons, and Cullion with 12 others.

No reports have been made available regarding the extent of damage in Linapacan, another island municipality in northern Palawan.

The Clearest Water In the World

2013-10-27T02:25:00.001+08:00

American news site Daily News Dig recently came up with a list of “35 Clearest Waters in the World to Swim in Before You Die”, where Palawan's Linapacan Island occupied the top spot.

“This island is in a remote province and home to many beaches with super clear water. The island has a population of just 14,180 people,” read the short caption below a snapshot by Scott Sporleder of the breath-taking clear water by the tiny island.

Linapacan is a medium sized island in the Calamianes group, located between Coron to the north and the Palawan mainland to the south. There’s no public ferry or air travel, so getting there can be a bit of an adventure, riding on some of the banca boats from Coron and Taytay that bring supplies to the island.

New Population of Rare Irrawaddy Dolphins Found in Palawan

2013-05-01T21:19:00.000+08:00

A new Philippine population of critically-endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) was reported recently by WWF-Philippines.

Spotted by chance off Quezon, municipality of Palawan, this pod of rare marine mammals, locally called Lampasut, was observed displaying typical behavior, foraging for prey around lift net fish traps sitting approximately one kilometer offshore.

El Nido resorts wins Global award

2013-04-28T21:42:00.000+08:00

EL Nido Resorts in Palawan won the Tourism for Tomorrow 2013 Award in the Community Benefit Award Category during the 13th World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Annual Global Summit on April 9-10, 2013, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

El Nido has received global awards as testament to its green practices and commitment to sustainable tourism. Its newly opened Pangulasian Island was named by Conde Nast Traveller and New York Times as must-visit destination in 2013. El Nido was cited as Asia’s Top Eco Resorts in Green Issue 2012 of travel magazine, Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia.

Vivant Energy Corp. set to proceed with the construction of two power plants

2013-04-18T21:53:00.000+08:00

Vivant Energy Corp. has confirmed that its consortium Calamian Islands Power Corp. (CIPC) has begun the construction of two power plants in Palawan.

A 750-kilowatt diesel will be constructed in Busuanga, while an 8-megawatt bunker-fired power plant will be put up in Coron. The said facilities will supply power to the two towns.

“Both [facilities] will provide the full service and ancillary power requirements of Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative Inc. [Biselco] under a bilateral power-supply contract for the next 15 years from the plants’ commercial operation,” Vivant said.

Biselco distributes electricity in the island-group that includes the municipalities of Coron, Busuanga, Culion and Linapacan in northern Palawan.

The commercial operation of both power plants is targeted in 2014.

ADB approves grant to Palawan to help prevent turtle poaching

2012-08-14T14:59:00.001+08:00

The Asian Development Bank has approved a P1-million grant to Palawan to help address marine turtle poaching and other illegal activities in the province’s southernmost municipality of Balabac.

Governor Abraham Kahlil Mitra, in a press conference on Thursday, said the grant facility aimed to provide alternative livelihood to communities to discourage poaching and other environmentally destructive activities.

Balabac has been frequently targeted by foreign poachers, mostly Chinese, seeking marine turtles. Government enforcers involved in more recent operations to stop marine turtle poaching have observed that some members of local communities were working in cahoots with foreign poachers.

Also on Thursday, Palawan received from Hong Kong authorities a shipment of rare and critically endangered freshwater turtles and other animals highly prized in the black market pet trade which were confiscated from a travelling Chinese national the other week.

Among the cargo were 39 Philippine forest turtles, rare species found only in Palawan, 19 Mindanao water monitors, 49 Asian box turtles and a reticulated phyton.

While in previous years, Chinese turtle poachers have been arrested and detained in Palawan, recent cases showed a pattern where locals were capturing the endangered marine turtles using capital and equipment provided by Chinese buyers.

“This grant will help transform those communities and wean them away from temptations to engage in illegal activities,” Mitra said.

He said the ADB and the Department of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement in July to implement the grant.

Balabac has also been cited by environmentalists for mangrove destruction, done mainly by debarking the trees for tan bark which are used as raw material for the manufacture of cloth dye and medicines.

Source:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/244003/palawan-gets-grant-to-prevent-turtle-poaching

Palawan reapportioned into three legislative districts

2012-07-28T10:15:00.000+08:00

By virtue of Republic Act 10171 signed by President Aquino last July 19, Palawan is reapportioned into three legislative districts to commence in the next national and local elections. The new law takes out Aborlan and Puerto Princesa City from the second congressional district and reapportions these to the third congressional district.

The Act, which originated in the House of Representatives, was passed by the House and the Senate on January 24, 2012 and June 4, 2012, respectively. Under the Act, the municipalities that comprise the current first legislative district of the Province of Palawan will remain without any change in its composition.

The municipalities include Agutaya, Araceli, Busuanga, Cagayancillo, Coron, Cuyo, Culion, Dumaran, El Nido, Linapacan, Magsaysay, Roxas, San Vicente, Taytay, and Kalayaan.

The following municipalities will compose the second legislative district: Balabac, Batarasa, Brooke's Point, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, and Sofronio Española.

The third legislative district, meanwhile, will be composed of the City of Puerto Princesa and the municipality of Aborlan.

The incumbent Representatives of the Province of Palawan shall continue to represent their respective districts until the new Representatives have been elected and qualified.

The Commission on Elections is tasked to issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the Act, which will take effect 15 days after its publication in Filipino newspapers of general circulation.

Source:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/07/27/aquino-reapportions-palawan-3-districts-234324

New Airport for San Vicente

2012-07-24T16:01:00.003+08:00

The government will soon start the development of the provincial airport at San Vicente, Palawan, with the aim of opening the province to more commercial flights, spur economic and business activities, and support growth in local tourism.

The San Vicente Airport rehabilitation project covers the construction of a passenger terminal, a fire station building, an elevated 2,500-gallon water tank and a runway extension with slope protection, as well as removal of a hill obstruction, as per the requirements put forward by the Transportation Department.

The development of the airport will be pursued through the public-private partnership program and is expected to be finished by 2016. The Aquino Administration is aligning the national plan for airport development with the overall plan for infrastructure development as well as trade and tourism thrusts of the country.

The projects will have a multiplier effect as more business centers, factories and industries will be established in the areas, creating more jobs and livelihood.

For the first time in many years, the government is allocating more funds for tourism infrastructure, including new international airports, largely due to its intensified tourism campaign. “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” which is proving be a success, gauging from the steady growth in Philippine tourism. The target is 10 million tourists and 30 million domestic travelers over the next four years.

Source:

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/developing-airports-in-seven-provinces/

Palawan to fight mango weevil

2012-07-20T10:54:00.000+08:00

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved in its last regular session an ordinance that formally establishes the Mango Pulp Weevil Action Team hoping to end the pest that had been ailing the mango industry for 24 years now.

The ordinance, authored by Rolando Bonoan Jr., board member, prescribes the duties and responsibilities of the local government units and the Mango Growers Association of Palawan.

In his speech at the regular session, Bonoan said that the Mango Pulp Weevil Action Team (MPWAT) will ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the mango pulp weevil eradication program in the province.

He said that with the Action Team together with the DA, provincial government, and the Mango Growers Association of Palawan aims to put an end to the two decades-long struggle of the industry and the issues and concerns of the mango growers.

The MPWAT will work to eradicate mango pulp weevil in Puerto Princesa City and in southern municipalities which include Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Rizal, Bataraza, and Balabac. It also hopes to strengthen the mango industry by gaining market access outside the province, and to intensify plant quarantine service operations in Palawan.

Mango is one of the high-value commercial fruit crops in the province. There are about 248,000 mango trees in plantations in Palawan. Based on the findings of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Palawan mangoes are sweeter than those in other parts of the country.

In 1987, the Bureau of Plant Industry imposed a quarantine on Palawan mangoes prohibiting its movement, transfer, and carrying outside of the province. Because of this, Palawan slid from rank 15 among the mango-producing provinces in the Philippines in 1990 to rank 29 in 2009.

Bonoan is hopeful that this problem will be addressed with the creation of the MPWAT, and use of new technologies, researches and protocols.

Source:

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=711342755310

State of emergency in Puerto Princesa due to power shortage

2012-07-08T13:28:00.000+08:00

Puerto Princesa City in Palawan has been placed under a state of emergency after sufferig frequent brownouts that are adversely affecting business and tourism,

The City Council unanimously passed a resolution to this effect following quick deliberations during a special session called Thursday afternoon by City Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

“We are looking at a supply gap of about 12 months before the electric cooperative is able to find an additional supplier and to establish a new power facility. This will have tremendous negative impact on the economy, particularly tourism,” said city legal counsel Agustin Rocamora.

The city council noted complaints from residents, traders, and tourism-oriented business that the frequent brownouts have begun to affect many of the city's economy. Mayor Hagedorn said he may make a personal appeal to President Benigno Aquino III to address the problem.

Demand for electricity has faced rapid growth, fueled by tourism and a boom in the construction sector. Tourist arrivals in the capital has seen an unprecedented increase since February after the Puerto Princesa Underground River was adjudged one of the world’s seven new natural wonders during an Internet search launched by a Switzerland-based organization. The recent surge in power demand was also felt when Robinson's opened the biggest mall in the city in May, consuming at least 1 MW of power daily, along with other new hotels and business establishments.

The Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco), which distributes the main power supply for the mainland, launched late last year a bidding for a new 25-MW supply contract but the process was delayed by a two-month injunction by a local court after a bidder backed by a Korean group of renewable energy investors claimed that the bidding terms discriminated against potential renewable energy players. Power One Corp., had claimed that the cooperative’s decision to exclude the 12 percent value-added tax in the bid offers was disadvantageous to small renewable energy providers like itself. The injunction was lifted late May, allowing Paleco to proceed with its bidding. Paleco had admitted that it would take at least 10 months before a new supplier could set up a plant and provide the much needed additional electricity.

Sources:

Cebu Pacific Air opens direct flight to Puerto Princesa from Davao

2012-07-01T10:41:00.000+08:00

Cebu Pacific Air has opened a direct flight to Puerto Princesa from Davao-Kalibo. The flight costs P1,488 on Cebu Pacific's year-round "lite fare".

The new route is expected to start on August 2 and will operate 4 times a week, flying every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. It will be supported by the airline’s new Airbus 320 planes.

Cebu Pacific now flies to 32 domestic destinations, 54 domestic routes, 19 international destinations, 28 international routes, and operates more than 2,000 flights weekly. The airline flew 12 million passengers in 2011 alone. It also has the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines today.

As part of its aircraft expansion, Cebu Pacific will soon have new Airbus A321neo (New Engine Option) aircrafts, a first for the Philippines, which the airline will use for its long-haul flights to destinations such as India, China and Australia.

During the media presentation event, Cebu Pacific also flew in Puerto Princesa tourism officer Rebecca Labit and Department of Tourism Western Visayas regional director Helen Catalbas, who also made a presentation about their respective destinations.

Pag-asa Island opens school

2012-06-22T17:24:00.000+08:00

A new Filipino kindergarten school has opened on Pag-asa Island (Hope in Tagalog), the biggest of the seven islets which comprise the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the western section of the province of Palawan. Kalayaan is a 6th class municipality and has one barangay located in Pag-asa island. The other islets are Likas, Parola, Lawak, Kota, Patag and Panata. Also found in Kalayaan and part of Palawan province are the Ayungin and Rizal Reef.

The school was inaugurated without any publicity on June 15. Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon said that his aim was to help the 37-hectare island’s civilian community and not to antagonize rival claimant countries. The island serves as a town proper to the Municipality of Kalayaan and is currently inhabited by a civilian population of about 300 Filipinos, among which are many children.

The island has a significant number of structures, including a runway maintained by the Philippine Air Force, a police station managed by the Philippine National Police, a municipal and multi-purpose hall, health center, school, water-filtration plant, marina, communication and observation towers, a commercial mobile phone station, civilian houses and military barracks. Last year, a ferry wharf was also constructed.

The municipality has a long-standing policy of protecting the island's environment. Aerial photos of the island reveal that more than 70% of the island is still covered with trees, which is in contrast with islands occupied by other coubtries where many trees were already cut down. Besides fishing, the residents raise pigs, goats and chickens and plant crops in an allotted space to supplement their supplies of goods provided by a naval vessel which visits once a month. By day, the residents get electricity from a power generator owned by the municipality. By night, they shift to stored solar power which comes from 1.5V solar panels installed throughout the island.

Among the numerous plans for the island are the creation of a long causeway that leads all the way to a deep water region. The island is completely surrounded by its expansive shallow coral base. This caused a Philippine Navy's ship to run aground during a failed attempt to dock near the island in 2004. The damaged ship currently remains at the site of the wreck. Additionally, the Philippine Navy has proposed a naval base be built on the island, specifically for the purposes of training the Philippine Navy's elite Special Warfare Group and Navy Seals. In contrast, the municipality proposes that the island be developed for tourism. The island has a white sand coastline, is filled with trees, and is a sanctuary for several species of sea birds. Its wide coral base could serve as an excellent diving spot.

5 dead after vessel sinks off El Nido

2012-06-13T19:48:00.000+08:00

Five people died while 54 others were rescued after big waves sank a passenger-cargo boat near Pagawanin Island off El Nido at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said the MV Josille II went down three hours after it left the port of Liminancong in Palawan for El Nido. A Navy gunboat and the Coast Guard’s BRP Ilocos Norte took part in rescuing the passengers and recovering the dead.

The incident happened amid warnings from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration that a shallow low pressure area in southern Mindanao and the southwest monsoon affecting Luzon would cause bad weather in most parts of the country.

In other related incidents the Coast Guard reported that one fisherman died while 81others were rescued in separate sinking incidents in General Santos City and Saranggani and Cavite provinces. They were aboard fishing boats which were swamped by strong waves. As of press time, the Coast Guard was searching for the 13 missing fishermen.

The NDRRMC also reported flashfloods in Bukidnon, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat killed two people while 41 others, including 24-year-old man who was found clinging to a coconut tree, were rescued.

In Bukidnon, 50 families were evacuated to safer grounds when flashfloods hit barangays Cabangahan, Bangkud, Aglayan and Linabo in Malaybalay City around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Earlier, a flashflood swept through Barangay Bugcaon in Lantapan town, damaging a bridge and water barriers in Dalaingan creek.

In Sarangani, two people were confirmed killed in flashflood that hit Big Margus, Pangyan, and Cross in Glan town around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday. A 15-year-old boy remained missing, while a total of 40 residents were rescued.

An Army report said the shallow low pressure area in Southern Mindanao triggered the floods in Sarangani, which prompted the Disaster Relief and Rescue Units (DRRU) and Glan Municipal Police Station to conduct rescue and relief operations to victims. In Sultan Kudarat, 2,469 people were affected by the flashfloods that hit barangays Obial, Sta. Clara, Hinalaan and Himulan in Kalamansig town. Twenty-three families had to abandon their homes.

Heavy rains yesterday forced the cancellation of a flight between Manila and Busuanga in Palawan. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) Media Affairs Division reported that two Cebu Pacific flights were cancelled.

National Geographic features Palawan

2012-06-02T09:22:00.000+08:00

International television channel, National Geographic, is set to feature the Philippines through Islands Insider, a Filipino-produced six-part documentary series that seeks to reveal cultural and historical insights on some of the country’s world-class destinations, which include the Batad Rice Terraces in Mountain Province, Coron in Palawan, Taal and Anilao in Batangas, Siquijor, and Mt. Pulag in Benguet.

Produced by The Extra Mile Productions, with support from the Department of Tourism (DOT), Islands Insider presents the Philippines in a different perspective and deviates from traditional travel shows by featuring stories as narrated by the locals, highlighting issues beyond the breathtaking sights, and delivering a strong preservation and conservation message.

In a special screening members of the press, blogging community, and tourism stakeholders enjoyed a two-episode preview of the show: Batad Rice Terraces and Coron. Secretary of Tourism Ramon Jimenez also graced the screening and expressed his delight as a partner of the project.

As the Department of Tourism endeavors to boost the country’s tourism potential and elicit renewed enthusiasm for the new campaign, it hopes this project will encourage more Filipinos to explore the Philippines, participate in preserving its rich cultural and historical heritage, and promote it to the rest of the world.

Source:
http://www.asianjournal.com/dateline-philippines/across-the-islands/16113-national-geographic-features-philippines-on-islands-insider.html

Palawan suffers from Internet outages

2012-05-28T22:07:00.000+08:00

Most of the province of Palawan has experienced Internet outages since last Friday, an issue that still hasn't been resolved as of Monday.

The outage affects SMARTBRO subscribers who represent the vast majority of Internet users, specially in rural areas outside of Puerto Princesa where high-speed Internet access is a rarity.

Apparently a SMART communications tower located in Coron, that acts as a connection bridge to transport the signal coming from Makati in Manila, has been severely damaged during the last tropical storm. We weren't able to determine how long it would take them to repair it and reestablish the service.

The only possible way of connecting to the Internet in many areas of Palawan right now is by using a USB modem stick (aka 'dongle') sold mainly by telecommunications providers SMART and Globe, that connects to the 3G and GPRS/EDGE networks where available. Speeds however can be excruciatingly slow, specially during peak times.

Given the crucial role that the Internet plays in Palawan specially concerning tourism, any interruption in the service is bound to have very undesirable consequences. However, in spite of this recent outage the Internet service in Palawan in general has improved greatly over the past few years, although is still far from being as fast and reliable as in other urban areas of the country such as Manila or Cebu. The capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa and some areas in the north near Coron are reported to have the best quality.

For more information about the different Internet Service Providers currently operating in Palawan visit the following addresses and links (valid as of May 2012):

SMART Communications,
NCCC Building, Lacao Street, Puerto Princesa
http://smart.com.ph/
PILTEL/PLDT,
42 Roxas Street, Puerto Princesa
http://www.pldt.com.ph/
Globe Telecom,
G7 & M7 Pacific Plaza Building, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa
http://www.globe.com.ph/
Bayantel,
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa
http://www.bayan.com.ph/
Sun Cellular,
Robinsons Place Palawan, Puerto Princesa
http://www.suncellular.com.ph/

Robinsons Place Palawan opens its doors

2012-05-26T05:56:00.000+08:00

The Robinsons Malls chain has opened Robinsons Place Palawan, the first full service mall in Palawan, a huge complex catering to both residents and tourists visiting the country's top eco-recreation destination. The Mall is only 15 minutes away from the bus station, airport and seaport of Puerto Princesa, and also very close to the public markets, the provincial capitol, city hall and the state university.

The 16 hectare mall is located along the National Highway, so travelers will also be passing by Robinsons Place Palawan on their way to El Nido, and popular tourist attractions like Butterfly Garden, Honda Bay, Crocodile Farm, Salakot waterfall and the Puerto Princesa Underground River making it a convenient stop-over for tourists. It will also cater to several neighboring towns like Aborlan, Narra, and Española in the south, as well as Roxas and San Vicente in the north.

Among many other business it hosts Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Handyman, Robinsons Appliances, Robinsons Bank and Saizen. It houses a 300-seat food court, al fresco dining outlets, fashion boutiques, specialty shops, banks, an amusement center, service outlets and cellphone and gadget shops.

The mall also houses four cinemas, including a 3D cinema, a 300-seat food court, al fresco dining outlets, fashion boutiques, specialty shops, banks, an amusement center, service outlets and cellphone and gadgets shops. Mall tenant line-up includes Jollibee, Max, Chowking, Hainanese Delights, Pancake House, Alberto Shoes, Geox, Human, Folded & Hung, National Book Store, Mercury Drug, Collezione, Time Depot, Tom’s World, Speedo, All Flip Flops, Bench, Bratpack, Nothing But Water and Bayo.

Puerto Princesa targeted by DPWH

2012-05-03T05:32:00.000+08:00

It may take P17 billion worth of road and related projects to fully prop up the country’s tourism industry, according to a proposal from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said in an interview that he and Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez have talked about the road projects needed in key tourism areas all over the country.

“We are submitting P5 billion worth (of infrastructure projects) for 2012 and P12 billion for 2013 in support of the [tourism] master plan,” Singson said.

The economic development cluster of President Aquino’s Cabinet recently endorsed the tourism road map.

The Cabinet cluster is composed of the DPWH, National Economic and Development Authority, and the Departments of Tourism, Budget and Management, Science and Technology, Finance, Energy, Interior and Local Government, Agriculture, and Trade and Industry.

Singson identified some of the infrastructure projects included in the DPWH proposal.

“Road projects in Cebu and Bohol cost P1.2 billion. In Palawan, there are projects like the Coron-Busuanga and Taytay-El Nido roads which, together, cost P150 million,” he said. “Road projects in Puerto Princesa are estimated at P138 million. The roadwork in Sorsogon going to Donsol costs P150 million. There are also projects in Benguet province, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga and other areas.”

On his other role as “water czar,” Singson said he had submitted a proposal on the restructuring of functions and responsibilities of water-related agencies.

“It’s now being reviewed by the Office of the President,” he said.

Cebu, Tagbilaran and Puerto Princesa cities are among the tourism areas to be supported by infrastructure work under the government’s program alignment strategy, according to the DPWH website.

Source:
http://business.inquirer.net/56807/dpwh-eyes-p17b-for-tourism-infra

Balayong Festival Day commemorates founding of Puerto Princesa

2012-03-08T17:00:00.000+08:00

On March 4 1872, Spanish colonizers scanning the province’s shorelines in search for a place where a large settlement could be established, finally came upon a hill with steep declivity and other natural features that looked promising. After rowing to shore they surveyed the hill and discovered an extensive plateau which they decided was ideal for their purpose.

Soon after they levelled a portion of the hill to make way for a chapel, a place where now stands the Catholic Cathedral, the P.C. Barracks and the Rizal Park. The first mass celebrated in Puerto Princesa is commemorated with a marker in the spot where it took place.

On May 1872, the Port of Puerto Princesa became the center of the Spanish Naval Operations in the area because the Bay met all the Navy’s requirements, namely deep enough waters that were naturally safeguarded from natural hazards. Later on Royal Decrees provided numerous incentives to settlers, and by 1883 the initial settlement had flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and a well-built port.

In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the most beautiful towns in the country by virtue of the orderly distribution of streets, buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.

In 1911, the New American Administration made Puerto Princesa the new capital of Palawan, a title that until then had been bestowed by Cuyo.

The town was officially converted into a city on January 1, 1970, and on 1994 March 4 was declared a special non-working holiday in the city. The day is celebrated with the popular participation of the residents, meaningfully eliciting community support towards development goals and cultural progress.

One of the most popular flowering trees in Palawan is the Palawan cherry, known by the locals as the Balayong, a beautiful tree that when is in full bloom resembles the cherry blossoms of Japan. On 2005 the City Government started the 1st Balayong Festival and planted a thousand trees in the nature park to revive the Palawan Cherry’s former splendor. On October 28, 2005 the City Council of Puerto Princesa unanimously declared March 4th as Balayong Festival Day, during which take place celebrations commemorating the founding anniversary of the City of Puerto Princesa.

Among the festival highlights are balayong tree-planting, street dancing and colorful floral parades depicting the Palawan Cherry Blossoms. A merry mixture of socio-civic, cultural, historical, and sports activities are part of the run events. At the ‘Tabuan’ parade (tabuan means ‘marketplace’), farmers fisherfolks, market vendors, traders and buyers showcase the city’s best products and revel as a thanksgiving for blessings and bountiful harvest.

Two giant crocodiles captured in Bataraza

2012-02-17T13:14:00.000+08:00

The Palawan Wildlife Conservation Council (PWCC) said two large crocodiles, a male and a female, were captured in Bataraza town in south Palawan early this week. According to the PWCC the male crocodile measures about 16 feet and was captured early Tuesday, while the 10-foot female crocodile was caught Monday night.

The crocodiles were captured after traps were set up when several residents reported several attacks by crocodiles, among which there was a fisherman who was reportedly bitten by a crocodile in the area.

The captured reptiles were named “Valentino” and “Valentina” and were turned over to a crocodile farm in Puerto Princesa.

The PWCC said crocodiles only surface if their natural habitat is being threatened.

In July 11 last year, another 13.7-foot crocodile was also captured in Bataraza town. The male crocodile was captured in a trap set up along the Rio Tuba river and had to be tied, blindfolded and carried by more than 10 men. It was estimated to weigh up to 770 pounds (350 kilos).

Source:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/02/15/2-giant-crocodiles-caught-palawan-206211

Puerto Princesa Underground River becomes one of the New7wonders

2012-01-30T14:07:00.000+08:00

The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is officially one of the New7wonders of nature, authorities said Saturday. Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, announced that the 8.2-kilometer navigable river made it to the list, according to the New7Wonders site.

“When your very own President Aquino came out in support of the PPUR campaign, I knew that this country was taking the New7Wonders of Nature seriously, Fans of PPUR all over the world responded to his call for action by voting in record numbers and today’s confirmation is the well-earned reward for this extraordinary display of enthusiasm,” Weber added.

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino himself campaigned for PPUR's victory, noting that its inclusion in the New7Wonders would not only "bolster a sense of national pride" but will also provide employment. "We must also remember that the tourists we can potentially attract will redound to thousands of employment opportunities; our success here will ultimately breed success for Filipinos everywhere," Aquino had said.

These news might help boost Philippine tourism and comes just weeks after the Department of Tourism unveiled its new tourism slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines," to attract more foreign travelers.

Puerto Princesa Underground River is located some 50km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, on Palawan island in the Philippines. It consists of a limestone karst mountain landscape, several large chambers containing significant formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2 km. navigable underground river that winds through a cave before flowing directly into the West Philippine Sea. At the exit, a flawless lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge.

Welcome to Palawan News

2012-01-01T17:00:00.000+08:00

Welcome to Palawan News

Palawan consists of 367 barangays and 23 municipalities, and two congressional districts that divide the province into north and south portions.

Thirteen municipalities are considered as mainland municipalities, and these are, Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Sofronio Española, Brooke's Point, Rizal, and Bataraza (located south),

San Vicente, Roxas, Dumaran, El Nido, and Taytay (found in the north). The remaining municipalities are island municipalities, and they are: Busuanga, Coron, Linapacan and Culion (forming the Calamianes group of islands), Cuyo, Agutaya and Magsaysay (the Cuyo group of islands), Araceli, Cagayancillo, Balabac and Kalayaan (Spratly Islands), claimed by Vietnam.

The capital Puerto Princesa (positioned in the center), is a highly-urbanized city that governs itself independently from the province, but it usually grouped with the province for statistical purposes.

Capital
Puerto Princesa

Mainland Municipalities
Aborlan
Bataraza
Brooke's Point
Dumaran
El Nido (Bacuit)
Narra
Quezon
Rizal (Marcos)
Roxas
San Vicente
Sofronio Española
Taytay

Island Municipalities
Agutaya
Araceli
Balabac
Busuanga
Cagayancillo
Coron
Culion
Cuyo
Kalayaan (Spratly Islands)
Linapacan
Magsaysay