The Clearest Water In the World

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.

El Nido resorts wins Global award

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.

Read more:
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/04/el-nido-resorts-wins-global-award/#.UaSxfb2fbGs

New Airport for San Vicente

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/

Cebu Pacific Air opens direct flight to Puerto Princesa from Davao

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.

National Geographic features Palawan

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

Robinsons Place Palawan opens its doors

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

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

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.

Puerto Princesa Underground River becomes one of the New7wonders

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.