SURIGAO Today

Cebu Pacific increases frequency to Surigao – Cebu route; reduces frequency to Siargao - Cebu

2009-11-09T16:39:00.002+08:00

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

Surigao City PESO Conducts Jobs Fair

2009-11-09T15:48:00.001+08:00

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

KALAHI-KBP Completes Another Milestone in Surigao City

2009-11-09T15:45:00.001+08:00

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

DOT-Caraga to host 1st students and tourism stakeholders’ nat’l convention

2009-11-09T15:42:00.000+08:00

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

Mindanao tourism body calls for new packages

2009-11-06T08:34:00.002+08:00

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

Philippines targets $2.5 billion geothermal development

2009-11-06T08:33:00.001+08:00

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

Sam finds feet on Cloud 9

2009-11-06T08:30:00.001+08:00

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

A memorable birthday concert at Dinagat Islands

2009-11-05T14:18:00.001+08:00

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

Siargao beaches: Among the best beaches in the region

2009-11-03T16:46:00.002+08:00

‘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

Gov’t aids 123,993 in Mindanao

2009-11-03T13:49:00.000+08:00

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

Pichay invites Gov. Jade to join AAFI Execom

2009-10-30T08:46:00.002+08:00

LWUA Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, this year’s Executive Committee Chairman of the 22nd Annual Aliw awards, has invited Governor Jade Ecleo to join his committee which will ensure the success of the awards night scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 17, at the Mega Tent in Pasig City.Already on his committee are Mr. Buddy Zamora, Iloilo Councilor Julienne Jam Baronda, Marissa Del Mar, Mr. Greg De Lara

Feature: Southern exposure

2009-10-29T12:31:00.003+08:00

Every one at some time in his life has had a vision of an unspoilt place, one of natural beauty, peace and tranquility. Such is the Caraga Region, composed of six cities of Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Tandag and five provinces namely Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.The Department of Tourism headed by ever-driven, and

Garrett Parkes takes the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines

2009-10-28T07:57:00.001+08:00

Australian surfer Garrett Parkes (Byron Bay, NSW, Aus) has taken out the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines today, beating Hawaiian Makua Rothman in a man-on-man final.Cloud 9 didn’t quite turn on the epic conditions seen for the opening rounds of the unique, specialty event, with finalists having to mix innovative, new-school manoeuvres with aerials, on-rail carves and barrel

Five more coal contracts to be awarded tomorrow

2009-10-28T07:55:00.000+08:00

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) will award five more coal contracts tomorrow in addition to the 11 which were previously awarded."These are the areas that had multiple proponents or applicants, so we just had to be very careful in evaluating the application," DoE Undersecretary Ramon V. Oca told reporters yesterday.Opened last May, the Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR) for Coal offered 30

Air Phil uses Turboprop fleet effective today

2009-10-27T15:04:00.001+08:00

AIR Philippines will operate eight Bombardier turboprop aircraft leased from Philippine Airlines (PAL) effective today.The turboprop fleet will fly to 19 towns and cities, operating out of two hubs —Manila and Cebu. The airline will focus on delivering safe, affordable and quality service.A new management team was appointed to implement the airline’s new business model. David Lim, Air Philippines

Surigao Chamber Wins Again as 2009 Best Chamber in Mindanao at the 35th Philippine Business Conference

2009-10-27T13:18:00.001+08:00

For a second year in a row, the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. was hailed the Most Outstanding Chamber in Mindanao for 2009. The award was given by no less than Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during the concluding plenary of the 35th Philippine Business Conference (PBC) held last October 21, 2009 at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, City of Manila. The

DOH opens more BnBs in Caraga region

2009-10-27T09:29:00.000+08:00

Amidst clamor over high prices of medicines, the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga intensifies campaign on availability of cheaper medicines by opening up more Botika ng Barangays (BnBs) in the region. DOH Caraga aims to establish one BnB outlet in two neighboring barangays before the end of 2010.As of September 2009, DOH Caraga already has 439 BnBs in the region. This includes 68 BnBs in Agusan

CEBU FERRY 2 - THE NEW CEBU FERRIES VESSEL; To Serve Surigao - Cebu route

2009-10-26T10:01:00.002+08:00

Cebu Ferries is proud to introduce to their customers their new vessel “Cebu Ferry 2” which is now on service Cebu to Butuan 3x a week and Cebu to Ormoc 5x a week.It has a passenger capacity of 892 and cargo capacity of 40teus. It runs a maximum speed of 16.5 knots.Same with other Cebu Ferries vessels the customers will experience the most comfortable trip with Cebu Ferry 2 because of its clean

Second Lay Day in a Row at Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational

2009-10-25T10:07:00.000+08:00

Another lay day has been called at the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines today, with small 2ft (0.5-1m) waves on offer for the US $20,000 specialty event. With only 12 heats to be completed, contest organisers are hopeful of a spike in swell overnight with a further increase into Tuesday.When competition resumes, Hawaii’s Makua Rothman will face off with Australia’s Sam Page (

18 cops awarded with "Medalya ng Kagalingan" for job well done

2009-10-23T09:04:00.000+08:00

The Police Regional Office 13 honoured 18 PNP personnel for showing a heroic performance in the performance of their duties. Police Chief Superintendent Lino Calingasan, Police Regional Director of PRO 13 and Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Blanche Gubenchiong pinned the Medalya ng Kagalingan (PNP Medal of Merit) to 18 deserving PNP personnel in a simple ceremony held on October 19

‘Face to Phase’ – a review

2009-10-22T09:07:00.001+08:00

I didn’t know what to expect as I navigated through the traffic that rainy Saturday evening to watch the much publicized concert of comedy concert queen Ai Ai delas Alas and Dinagat Island Governor and performer Jade Ecleo entitled “Face to Phase.” I didn’t know what to expect because these two ladies come from different worlds, Ai Ai from show business and the Governor from politics, and can’t

Siargao Island enjoys increase of tourist arrivals, says Gov. Barbers

2009-10-21T08:54:00.000+08:00

The 15th Siargao International Surfing Cup dubbed as the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 successfully opened today, October 21, 2009 with 48 confirmed international cast of surfers and 12 local wildcards participated.Speaking before a crowd of local and foreign tourists, Gov. Robert Ace Barbers proudly bared the increase of tourist arrivals in the island. “In this side of the town, of this

Alcala, Landrigan carry RP fight in Cloud 9 surfing

2009-10-19T14:05:00.002+08:00

Edito "Piso" Alcala and Fil-Australian Luke Landrigan will carry the fight against a host of top foreign surfers led by Queensland Open champ Nick Vasicek of Australia in Wednesday’s Billabong Cloud 9 International Surfing Championship in Siargo Island.As the defending champion, Siargao native Alcala was given an outright seeding in the $20,000 event while Landrigan, a silver medalist in the 1st

First Pacific sets fund-raising for expansion

2009-10-19T13:58:00.000+08:00

FIRST Pacific Co. Ltd. is shoring up its war chest for new investments in mining and infrastructure in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. In a statement, Hong Kong-based conglomerate that controls Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said it is raising $282 million by way of a rights issue, involving 643 million and not more than 672 million shares at a subscription price of HK

9th-ray redundancy

2009-10-17T16:04:00.000+08:00

"Not many know the first Philippine Flag exists and survive today… only a handful realize how uniquely beautiful and inspiring this Flag was when it was first unfurled." From the General Emilio Aguinaldo Inc. on the authenticity of the 1898 Philippine Flag at the Suntay Museum in Baguio City. In ‘Kasaysayan,’ journal of the National Historical Institute March 2001, (p.91), warns "the First