CEBU and DAVAO, hand in hand for a stronger Philippines!

[paulo_ortega]

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ive only got cebu pics, but i will be in davao from wednesday to sunday this week, by then il be having tons of davao pics. for now, here are my pics of cebu.

okay, people might think cebu is one big concrete jungle so here it is, cebu's nature scene.

the baguio of cebu and cebu's food basket. the mountains of mantalongon in south cebu.
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1515.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1512.jpg[/img]

island in the sky mountain resort (borrowed pic)
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/mountain6.jpg[/img]

mountain view resort


viewing deck at mountain view resort


the view at mountain view, which is actually a city view, wakekekekeke! mainland cebu with cebu city, mactan island in the middle and the hazy strip of land you see at the topmost of the pic is actually bohol island. (borrowed pic)


(fundraiser pics)
[img width=500 height=224]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/mountpano.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/mount9.jpg[/img]

the shores of dalaguete, south cebu
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1586.jpg[/img]

underwater pic of hilutungan off the coast of mactan island, area encricled shows a school of fish that looks like a coral.
[img width=400 height=500]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/school.jpg[/img]

an average beach for the average cebuano
[img width=500 height=90]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/2a913f6b.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=189]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/portopanopano.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/porto9.jpg[/img]

honeymoon island, wakekekeke
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/porto22.jpg[/img]

one of olango's floating restaurant
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/porto23.jpg[/img]

hilutungan island resort.
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/porto21.jpg[/img]

tourists enjoying the snorkeling area of hilutungan
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/porto19.jpg[/img]

japanese tourists at hilutungan
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/porto20.jpg[/img]

[livinginvain]

... wow! nice pics and update about Cebu and Davao

[paulo_ortega]

FORWARD CEBU economic power and might!

the cebu provincial capitol, perfect symbol for cebu's power and might
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1464.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1465.jpg[/img]

well paved roads
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1466.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1461.jpg[/img]

the south coastal road at south reclamation properties, an above water, elevated highway.
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/paulo6.jpg[/img]

sensorized traffic system using the SCATS technology


engineering and infrastructure marvels, the old mactan bridge and the fernan bridge linking mactan island to mainland cebu.
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/fuente8.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/fuente9.jpg[/img]





[img width=500 height=162]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/yala6.jpg[/img]

healthcare services offering one of the best facilities in the south can be found in cebu
[img width=375 height=500]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/psh1.jpg[/img]

[img width=375 height=500]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/psh2.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/psh02.jpg[/img]

transportation; the shangrila coaster offers guests regular shuttle service to malls in cebu, pic at ayala.


transportation; the public utility vehicle (PUV) terminal at SM city
[img width=500 height=400]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/yala5.jpg[/img]

transportation: ayala's PUV terminal
[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/506210b5.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=400]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/yala2.jpg[/img]

cebu, export winner, contributing 20% of the country's exports

mactan export processing zone 1
[img width=500 height=406]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/mepz1.jpg[/img]

mactan export processing zone 2
[img width=500 height=406]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/mepz2.jpg[/img]

cebu international port
[img width=500 height=406]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/internationalpier.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1350.jpg[/img]

look at your fifty peso bill, see the fountain?

[diehardbisdak]

IT mission promotes investments in Cebu
Manila Standard / Michael Caber
18 September 2006

A DELEGATION of information technology companies from Cebu will be in San Francisco this week to market the island’s call center and business process outsourcing services, government officials said.

“Cebu is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing economic areas of the Philippines and it has successfully positioned itself as a primary trade and investment destination,” said Special Trade representative Maria Roseni Alvero.

Alvero adding that the mission would be an opportunity for the trade and investment delegation from Cebu to learn first-hand the requirements of companies in San Francisco and the Bay Area and for Cebu firms to explore future business partnerships and opportunities.

The Cebu delegation will be headed by representatives from the Cebu Investment and Promotion Center and by officials of four major outsourcing companies operating in Cebu—Alliance Software Inc., Infinite Outsourcing Inc., Ng Khai Development Corp., and SRD and Co.

Among the activities the mission will join is an investment forum on Sept. 19 at the Philippine Center in San Francisco, where the group will present economic developments and investment opportunities in Cebu, Alvero said.

The group will also meet with California-based companies to showcase Cebu as an IT and outsourcing investment destination and to develop business alliances.


******************************* in related news......


Cebu seeks more investments from Silicon Valley
INQ7.net
Alexander Villafania
Last updated 09:04pm (Mla time) 09/17/2006


A GROUP of Cebu-based local government officials and heads of private companies are headed to San Francisco, California for a trade mission aimed at finding new partners and possible investment opportunities from Silicon Valley firms.

The delegation, which leaves on September 18 and will return on the 22nd, will be led by the Cebu Investment and Promotion Center (CIPC). It would be joined by officers from Alliance Software Inc, Infinit Outsourcing Inc, Ng Khai Development Corporation and SRD & Co.

The companies are all business process outsourcing operators that have offices in Cebu.

Special Trade Representative Maria Roseni Alvero said in a statement that the mission aims to scout for certain requirements of San Francisco-based companies that BPO providers in the Philippines can address.

Alvero also said that part of the activities of the IT mission is an investment forum at 6 pm on September 19 at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco where the group will present current economic developments and investment opportunities in Cebu.

Cebu has been heavily promoting itself as an investment location. Just last April, a group of businessmen and Cebu government officials that have formed the Cebu Educational Foundation for Information Technology conducted a tour of some companies in San Francisco in an effort to create a model derived from Silicon Valley that Cebu can follow.

[diehardbisdak]

... in related statement from the Dept. of Foreign Affairs regarding the above news

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DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
P R E S S R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines
Tel. No. 834-4000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SFA-AGR-76006
13 September 2006
Cebu-based Companies to Embark on I.T. trade and Investment Mission to San Francisco and Bay Area

13 September 2006 — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center – Silicon Valley have announced that a delegation of Information Technology firms based in Cebu will be in San Francisco and the Bay Area from 18 – 22 September 2006 for a marketing campaign for Cebu’s IT, call center, and shared services (business process outsourcing-BPO) industries.

“Cebu is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing economic areas in the Philippines, and it has successfully positioned itself as a primary trade and investment destination”, said Special Trade Representative Maria Roseni Alvero, adding that “it will be an opportunity for the trade and investment delegation from Cebu to experience first-hand the demands and requirements of companies in San Francisco and the Bay Area and for Cebu firms to explore future business partnerships and opportunities.”

The Cebu delegation will be headed by representatives from the Cebu Investment and Promotion Center (CIPC) and by officials of four major BPO companies operating in Cebu, namely, Alliance Software, Inc. Infinit Outsourcing, Inc., Ng Khai Development Corporation, and SRD & Co.

Ms. Alvero also said that part of the activities of the Cebu IT mission to San Francisco is an investment forum on 19 September 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco, where the group will present current economic developments and investment opportunities in Cebu. The group will also be meeting with California-based companies to showcase Cebu as a premiere IT and BPO investment destination and to develop business alliances.

Detailed information about the Cebu Trade and Investment Mission may be obtained from the Philippine Trade and investment Center-Silicon Valley, 5201 Great America Parkway, Suite 356, Santa Clara, CA, Telephone number (1-40 9809823, email: ptic-sv@philippinecentersf.com.

[livinginvain]

...what is DIA doing? .... di ba kumikita kita sila sa airport? they can help subsidize the ATO....

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City plans to shoulder ATO overtime pay for late flights
By Ben O. Tesiorna

THE City Government of Davao is planning to shoulder the overtime pay of some employees of the Air Transport Office just to keep the airport's operation running late in the evening, what with regularly delayed commercial flights.

In his weekly television program Sunday, Duterte said many passengers were complaining about the non-operation of the airport tube especially when the last flight is delayed, as it usually is.

He said he himself experienced it last Saturday when he arrived from Manila. It was raining and the passengers were forced to walk from the airport down to the tarmac and into the arrival area since the airport tubes were already non-operational. Airport personnel assigned to operate the tubes have already called it a night.

"Sabi kasi ng ATO wala daw silang pambayad para sa overtime ng mga empleyado nila. Yung mga employees naman ayaw magvolunteer (The ATO said they do not have the budget to pay overtime for employees. Their employees are not volunteering to stay behind without pay)," Duterte said.

He said he already advised ATO officials to give him an estimate of how much it would cost to pay overtime for employees who will operate the airport tubes in the evening.

[Tj-Mixxed]

^^ As per EO 341 - Davao International Airport is one of the airports under the supervision and management of the Manila International Airport. Thus, those from the capital decide and draft the expenses of Davao International Airport.

As per EO 341, Davao International Airport will have to remit the revenues generated including airport fees directly back to the capital (MIA). MIAA, in return will use these earnings to pay back the investors and use it for the upgrade and expansion of other airports in the Philippines.

Hence, although DIA is the most active and busiest airport in Mindanao, we are still at the mercy of those from the Capital! In short, while Davao earns...Manila spends.....

[Tj-Mixxed]

Farm-to-market roads boost Davao's agri-industry
Sunstar Online
September 18, 2006

PUBLIC Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the agency has been consistent in providing support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's agenda particularly in the modernization program of agriculture.

Agriculture is considered one of the backbones of the country's economy.

Just recently, the Asian Development Bank had a favorable assessment on the country's economy and the positive gains achieved in the Philippines, which is a "collective testimony of a sound economic stewardship" in the hands of President Arroyo.

Ebdane, who was in Davao for a regular ocular inspection of infrastructure projects, encouraged the public to help maintain economic growth by helping maintain infrastructure projects in their own vicinity because these projects were constructed for use by residents and are beneficial to them.

The President is taking concrete steps to ensure acceleration and efficient implementation of development projects, including those funded by foreign loans, he said.

In the region, DPWH Director Dimas Soguilon said various construction projects, particularly farm-to-market roads and other support infrastructure facilities, are being undertaken to serve farmers especially in the rural areas.

Records from DPWH showed that the department has completed some 439 farm-to-market roads and other agriculture support projects amounting to some P481 million nationwide.

Among the completed projects reported were those funded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform program (Carp), which are expected to benefit farmers in the rural areas.

The improvement of farm-to-market road services is one of the measurable accomplishments of DPWH in support of the agriculture modernization program of President Arroyo.

[Tj-Mixxed]

Davao's Annual Skimboarding Competition!

[paulo_ortega]

RP’s spa industry ‘growing,’ gaining int’l recognition

ASIDE from the recently concluded general assembly of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Inter-Parliamentary Organization, Cebu hosted another international event over the weekend, which brought about 100 foreign visitors to the province.

The three-day 2006 Spa Industry Seminar, which ended yesterday, brought to Cebu spa industry players from East Asia, Australia, United States and the Middle East, among others.

The event, organized by Singapore-based consulting firm, Turning Point, was held at Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, according to a statement.

The seminar is an annual international conference promoting innovations, products and services targeted toward spa industry managers and stakeholders.

During the opening last Friday, Philippine Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said the spa business in the country has grown and has won national and international recognition despite its being a new player in the global industry.

“Hosting the conference here is the biggest feather in our cap,” he said.

The Department of Tourism has been promoting the Philippines as a wellness destination with the proliferation of niche spas and medical tourism.

The spa industry is already gaining momentum in Cebu as more spa operators open shop in the province. Some industry players have also organized the Spa and Wellness Association in Cebu to police its own rank.

Among the highlights of the spa event is a workshop on traditional massage or hilot, which also involves chiropractic manipulation.

Shangri-La Mactan’s Chi spa village is one of the first spas in Cebu to offer hilot as a spa treatment. Chi is the biggest spa facility among Shangri-La’s properties all over the world.

Shangri-La Mactan is one of the sponsors of the spa industry seminar.

“Shangri-La is honored to host this highly regarded annual spa conference. This is an excellent opportunity not only for Shangri-La, but also for the country to be recognized as a preferred spa destination,” general manager Timothy Wright said.

Shangri-La Mactan was recently included in the top 25 best leisure hotels and top 25 spa resorts in Asia by online travel magazine, SmartTravel Asia.com. It was also voted among Asia’s best vacation resorts by Asiamoney.com aside from being a three-time winner of Time Reader’s Choice award