Palawan reapportioned into three legislative districts

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

Palawan to fight mango weevil

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

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:

• http://www.gmanetwork.com/puerto-princesa-city-in-state-of-emergency-due-to-power-shortage 
• http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/224723/puerto-princesa-now-in-state-of-power-emergency

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.

Palawan suffers from Internet outages

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

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.