Palawan News December 2014

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Palawan - Archived News
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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Undergroud River in Palawan
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Underground river in Pureto Princesa, Palawan
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Baracuda Lake, Coron, Palawan

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney and USAID/Philippines Environment Office Chief Daniel Moore witness the safe and sustainable collection of ornamental fish by certified Marine Aquarium Council collectors in Palawan

MX3 goes to Puerto Princesa

By Maricar Cinco (Inquirer Southern Luzon)

MX3 recently joined the “Kapamilya Karavan sa Puerto Princesa” on December 13, 2014, where the company added flare to ABS-CBN’s event as it held fun games to Palawanons.

The Kapamilya Karavan significantly created an impact in bringing the most in-demand stars for the event. For over half a decade now, the Kapamilya Karavan has become the network’s way of reaching out to the urban and rural communities to help promote the festivals in the country.

It was also its way of expression of gratitude to all the Kapamilya supporters nationwide. Interestingly, in Puerto Princesa, it was Pedro Penduko himself, or the Scheduler, (Matt Evans) who captivated the crowd with awe as entertained them.

MX3 has been throwing its all support to the event with enthusiasm recently. It was also the company’s way to extend gratitude to all the MX3 users in Palawan. This way, we can add happiness to their event, enabling those many local folks to try out MX3 products. The team generously shared their time as show of commitment to all the Palawanons.

More than the festival, Puerto Princess boasts of natural wonders and scenic spots.

‘Seniang’ strands thousands in Mimaropa ports

By Maricar Cinco (Inquirer Southern Luzon)

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna—Thousands of passengers were stranded Tuesday in various ports in the Mimaropa region consisting of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan as the authorities suspended port operations due to Tropical Storm Seniang.

As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, some 1,800 passengers were reported to be stranded at Dangay Port in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, while 350 passengers were stranded at Romblon port in Romblon province, according to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Also stranded in Roxas were six vessels and 66 rolling cargoes bound for Caticlan.

Authorities also suspended port operations in Puerto Princesa City and in Coron, both in Palawan, due to inclement weather.

RDRRMC Director Eugene Cabrera, in an email, said the region continued to have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain.

PhilHealth coverage sought for persons with disabilities

By Melissa Luz T. Lopez (Manila Bulletin)

AFTER the enactment of a law that covers all senior citizens under the state-run insurance program, lawmakers now seek to extend PhilHealth benefits to persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Under House Bill 5159 filed by Palawan Rep. Francisco Josef George "Franz" E. Alvarez, mandatory membership will be given to PWDs and children with special needs to ensure their "rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance."

"To further help self-employed PWDs in their pursuit to become productive citizens, and to assist parents of children with special needs, this bill seeks to give them mandatory membership of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)," the measure reads.

With the proposal, PWDs will not have to pay a year's worth of monthly contribution once they sign up as PhilHealth members.

Another measure, House Bill 5012 filed by Rep. Angelina D.L. Tan, seeks to accord PhilHealth benefits exclusively for indigent, abandoned, and orphaned Filipinos with disabilities.

The proposals follow the President's signing of Republic Act 10645 last Nov. 5, which provides automatic PhilHealth membership and benefits to senior citizens, or Filipinos aged 60 and above.

Other proposals for mandatory inclusion in the state's health program include barangay (village) health workers and officials, day care employees, and overseas workers.

All are pending before the House committee on health.

Separate measures have also been filed seeking to source PhilHealth spending from the earnings of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, which operates races and lotteries in the country.

‘Seniang’ gains strength

(Manila Bulletin)

Tropical Disturbance 99W (LPA), now known as Tropical Depression 23W (Seniang) gains strength while over the South Philippine Sea, east of Mindanao.

Weather.com.ph said Seniang is expected to directly affect most parts of the Visayas and Mindanao including Palawan this coming week.

The weather disturbance has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph with gustiness of 75 kph. It is moving west-northwest at 15 kph towards Surigao del Sur.

The cyclone is expected to enhance the northeast monsoon (hanging amihan), bringing cooler, windy and mostly cloudy conditions with occasional slight to moderate rains along the northern and eastern sections of Luzon.

Residents and visitors in the Visayas, Mindanao as well as in Palawan are urged to closely monitor the development of the weather disturbance

Weather.com.ph expects heavy to extreme rains (at 100 mm or more) in Eastern Mindanao, especially Dinagat and Siargao Islands, Surigao Provinces, Eastern portions of Agusan Provinces, Northern portions of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental through Monday morning (Dec 29).

Heavy rains (50 mm to 100 mm) maybe experienced in the southern portion of Southern Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and the Northern portion of Davao Region.

Moderate to heavy rains (30 mm to 50 mm), meanwhile, may be occur in Eastern Visayas, Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, Northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao Provinces, Cotabato, Northern part of Maguindanao, and Davao del Sur including Davao City and Samal Island.

GSIS offers calamity loan in Cotabato, Palawan

By RITCHIE A. HORARIO

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) offers calamity loans for its active members in Palawan and Cotabato localities that were placed under a state of calamity after a series of bad weather conditions.

GSIS President and General Manager Robert Vergara said members who are working or residing in Carmen, Cotabato and those in the municipalities of Araceli, Dumaran, and Taytay in Palawan, including old-age pensioners, may apply for emergency loan.

All four municipalities were declared under a state of calamity after a series of bad weather conditions, including typhoons Paeng and Queenie.

Under the GSIS Enhanced Emergency Loan Program, active members are qualified to apply provided they are not on leave of absence without pay, have no arrears in paying mandatory monthly premium contributions, and have no loans in default. The loan proceeds are electronically credited to the borrower’s GSIS eCard or UMID card.

“We understand how hard it is to be struck by a calamity more than once within the year, so we doubled the loanable amount to P40,000 for members with existing emergency loans. This enables them to take home bigger loan proceeds,” said Vergara.

He added that the required payment of 12 monthly amortizations prior to loan renewal is also waived.

First-time borrowers are entitled to P20,000 in loanable amount. Old-age pensioners in the three Palawan municipalities may avail of the same amount. Emergency loan for both members and pensioners, which carry a 6 percent interest per annum, is payable in 36 monthly installments. The first loan amortization is deducted from the borrower’s salary or pension three months after the loan was granted. The pensioner emergency loan (PEL) is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which automatically erases the loan in case the borrower dies before paying in full.

Interested members may apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosks located in GSIS offices, provincial capitols, city halls, selected municipal offices, large government agencies such as the Department of Education, and selected Robinson’s Malls. They may also call 847-4747 for help.

The GSIS, which has allotted a total of P15 billion for the Emergency Loan Program (ELP) this year, will accept applications in Carmen, Cotabato only until January 13, 2015. Those in Palawan have until January 17 to apply.

Palawan going great guns due to multisectoral cooperation

By MA. ROSSANE GOSECO (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Palaweños have reason to be proud because their province has been dubbed the “most beautiful island in the world” in a recent US magazine article that focused on the island’s sheer perfection as a travel destination.

Being a Palaweño, we are doubly proud because Palawan has achieved an 80-percent increase in foreign tourists and visitors. Employment rate in our province has also increased by 163,000 since 2005.

Palawan is going great guns because everyone is involved—the government, the local government units, nongovernment organizations, the military and the people themselves—the presence of the New People’s Army notwithstanding. A manifesto recently issued by various public and private entities declared the province a “Conflict Manageable Area” and a “Zone of Sustained Peace, Development and Prosperity.”

The spirit that inspired this manifesto ties up with the integration program that provides livelihood, financial, education and training assistance to Palaweños, including members of the NPA, who may wish to start a new life.

Strong waves prevent delivery of goods to troops in Spratlys

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - For most troops on forward deployment in the Spratlys archipelago, it would be a lonely Christmas.

A Navy supply ship sent to deliver their Christmas goodies, including Noche Buena and Media Noche packages, was forced back to Puerto Princesa City by severe sea conditions prevailing over the West Philippine Sea.

“Big waves forced the Navy boat to abort its Christmas and New Year’s run and returned to Puerto Princesa last Saturday,” Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr. said.

He added the Navy ship originally scheduled to dock at Pag-Asa Island was only able to reach troops stationed at Lawak Island and Rizal Reef.

Aside from Lawak and Rizal Reef, troops are also stationed and manning forward military outposts in the islands of Likas, Parola, Kota, Patag, Panata, Pag-Asa and Ayungin Reef.

All these military outposts, except for Pag-Asa Island that has an airfield, could only be reached by sea because these are underdeveloped.

In the case of Ayungin Shoal, delivery of provisions was carried out precisely so as not to alarm the Chinese naval blockade around the area.

China, of all the Spratlys claimant countries, is pushing aggressively its maritime claim to almost the entire South China Sea by deploying naval gunboats, coast guard vessels and other civilian vessels in the region.

Troops deployed in these outposts are usually rotated every three months and those whose assignments are timed during Christmas are showered with gifts and other perks in acknowledgment of their sacrifices.

“It also happened last year. The supply ship was not able to reach us because of the big waves. But we still have to celebrate Christmas in our own little way,” Bito-onon said, adding he allowed the slaughter of livestock and poultry in the island for the celebration of Christmas Eve.

He said that military leadership of the Western Command (Wescom), knowing full well the troops’ morale out there, would be airdropping the Christmas goodies.

In the case of Pag-Asa Island, an Air Force plane has delivered Christmas provisions and other supplies to the area needed by around 90 civilian residents in time for their holiday celebration yesterday.

The number of residents in the island vary from time to time as during holidays, some of the families return to mainland Palawan to celebrate Christmas with relatives.

Bito-onon said are there are 96 islanders, 32 of them children, out of the more than 200 civilians officially registered as residents left in the island.

On the other hand, the government troops deployed in Mindoro played Santa Claus by distributing Noche Buena packages to several families, even those with known links to and sympathizers of the communist New People’s Army.

7 missing fishermen rescued in Palawan; another missing in Aurora

By Joel Locsin / LBG (GMA News)

At least seven fishermen who went missing in Palawan last Dec. 19 have been rescued, the Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday.

The Coast Guard said the seven were reported missing after their motor banca encountered engine trouble one mile northeast of Barangay Ongolan in Araceli, Palawan.

An investigation showed the fishermen headed for Cuyo last Dec. 17 aboard the fishing banca "Norwaydian." The vessel was last located two nautical miles west of Barangay Canipo in Magsaysay in Palawan.

However, the vessel was eventually located anchored near Barangay Ongola in Araceli, Palawan. It had seven fishermen aboard.

All the fishermen are in good physical condition, the Coast Guard said.

A record check showed the 13.26-gross ton “Norwaydian” is skippered by Anas Manzul, 38.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard said search operations are ongoing in Baler, Aurora for fisherman Jerry Buenditos, 40.

He went fishing off Barangay Dibut in San Luis, Aurora but failed to return. He was aboard a motor banca painted yellow and blue with orange stripes on the outrigger.

AFP Honors Palawan Governor with Bayanihan Award 2014

(DWDD)

Camp General Artemio Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City, (DWDD) — As one of the highlights of its 79th Founding Anniversary, the Armed Forces of the Philippines through its Vice Chief of Staff and the Commander of Western Command will personally present the Bayanihan Award 2014 to the Governor of the Province of Palawan on December 23, 7 ‘o clock in the morning at the Provincial Capitol.

Recognizing the noble efforts of the Honorable Jose Chaves Alvares, the Chief of Staff has sent over LtGen Bonafos to personally express gratitude and to present the Bayanihan Award 2014 to the incumbent governor of the Province of Palawan who has strived to achieve good governance in order to provide quality social services to local constituents that address poverty, health and other social issues, that are consideres to be the backbone of instability and peace and order problems in his jurisdiction.

In a simple ceremony, the AFP will recognize Governor Alvarez’ valuable efforts that resulted to the following services: a total investment of PhP 43,073.219 subdivided into 1,390.77 km construction for roadsdevelopment program; Construction of 45 units bridges with a total length of 1,187 linear meter; Construction of 35 units spillways with a total length of 1,086 linear meter; Construction of port facilities in Agutaya, Bataraza, Busuanga, Dumaran, El Nido (2), Magsaysay, Buliluyan Island and Coron municipalities; Construction of three (3) units of Airports in Agutaya, Araceli and Brooke’s Point to include the improvement of Cagayancillo airport; Construction of 154 level three systems in fourteen (14) municipalities for water systems development program; Village electrification program in different municipalities and power generation program in isolated communities for the power facilities development program.

Included also is the organized Inter-agency Health Protocol facilitated by the Command that resulted to the Signing and Launching of the Provincial Rescue 165 on 18 June 2014 at the Palawan Provincial Capitol, PPC, Palawan.

Aside from these, Governor Alvarez also led the construction of 704 classrooms province-wide with a total of 17, 000 scholars province-wide under the “Programang Pang-edukasyon para sa Palaweño”; Construction/upgrading of 49 hospital equipment in twelve (12) hospitals province-wide and construction/upgrading of 18 units RHUs; Construction/upgrading of 105 units province-wide for day care facilities development program; Construction/upgrading of 88 units provincewide for evacuation centers and multi-purpose facilities development program; Pre and post harvest facilities in Aborlan, Araceli, Brooke;s Point, Busuanga, Espanola and San Vicente for agriculture facilities development program; Construction of tourism facilities in eleven (11) sites province-wide for tourism and development program.

“Since 2013, Governor Alvarez has been a strong partner of Western Command in pursuing peace and development programs, especially in the launching of the Local Social Integration Program that has so far catered to a number of former NPA rebels who returned to the fold of the law and mainstream society,” Vice Admiral Lopez recounts.

The Provincial Government of Palawan has strongly supported WESCOM’s Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) to assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of rebel returnees of former NPA in the AOR who returned to the fold of the law and mainstream society. From 2013 to date, a total of thirteen (13) rebel returnees have availed the benefits of the program (AFP/PNP held returnees) and an additional of three (3) rebel returnees are being facilitated to avail benefits from LSIP. For this program alone, the Provincial Government of Palawan has committed and allotted a total of ten million pesos for its implementation.

“The said program has reduced the strength of the said group into insignificance which led to the signing of the joint manifesto declaring Palawan as a Zone of Sustained Peace, Proseperity and Development and conflict-manageable area,” Vice Admiral Lopez added, referring to the Provincial Government of Palawan’s efforts in taking the lead in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security through a multi-stakeholders approach that resulted to the Signing of the Joint Manifesto on 30 June 2014 at the Palawan Provincial Capitol, PPC, Palawan.

The WESCOM Commander also noted of the commitment of Governor Alvarez in supporting Bayanihan efforts in the West Philippine Sea.

Every year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been giving due recognition to peace partners who have contributed to the successes and gains of the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” as an instrument to winning peace in the whole country. Outlined in the IPSP is the new strategic direction in the performance of the constitutional mandate of the AFP in addressing armed threats to our nation’s peace and security. Thus, this plan has been crafted in close consultation and cooperation with our partners in other national government agencies and the civil society. This has remained true in the implementation and evaluation of this plan. This network of partnership that we have established shall be further strengthened and broadened to include the entire Filipino nation.

In Palawan, the IPSP Bayanihan has been proven to be very effective in addressing the peace and stability concerns of the province which promoted growth and development, especially that the Provincial Government of Palawan under the leadership of the Hon Gov Jose Chaves Alvarez has maintained its devoted partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the implementation of projects and programs in lieu of maintaining the peace and security in the province of Palawan.

Agreement inked for 7MW hydropower facility in southern Palawan

By Ruth T. Rodriguez [(PNA), CTB/CARF/RTR/EBP]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 22 (PNA) -- The municipal government of Narra in southern Palawan and Langogan Power Corporation (LPC) signed recently a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the development of a 7-megawatt hydropower facility at Batang-Batang River in Barangay Princess Urduja.

Mayor Lucena Demaala of Narra and LPC executive Mike Wootton signed the agreement that represents another step forward in Palawan’s and the Philippines’ effort to manage and control the ill-effects of climate change.

Demaala said Friday that the hydropower facility will have the capacity to produce about 32GWh a year of clean energy, and would effectively reduce fossil fuel emissions by 25,693 tons a year.

Jesse Ang, resident representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), who was present during the signing ceremony, said “the IFC is keen in supporting hydro projects directly, as well as through the BPI via guarantee facilities.”

“These hydro projects provide crucial energy resources to support the continued growth of tourism in Palawan,” Ang said.

The “IFC provides and mobilizes capital to encourage private investments in the Philippines, especially in underfinanced sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, water, and agriculture. It also works with the government to attract investors to much-needed infrastructure projects.”

Speaking on behalf of the LPC, Jenny Monteagudo said that their “company welcomes the agreement with Narra as a motivation for the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for clean energy,” an objective that the renewable energy company” has been “pursuing for a number of years now, to provide electricity at less than half the cost of what the power cooperative is currently paying for electricity generation.”

She said hydropower is offered at the unsubsidized rate of P6.5896 per kilowatt hour against an average subsidized price of P14.0688 to 14.75, which costs electricity consumers over P300 monthly a year.

Meanwhile, Lydia Orial of the LGU Guarantee Corporation (LGUGC) said that together with the IFC and the World Bank (WB), they will support the LPC’s development of the project at Batang-Batang River, and welcomes it as a significant clean energy contribution to Palawan’s electricity system.

The Batang-Batang River hydropower project is partnered with the Langogan 6.8MW hydropower project in this city. Both can provide 25%-30% of the total demand of the Palawan main grid, and will reportedly obviate the need for the coal-fired power project being proposed by the DMCI Power Corporation (DPC).

Anthony Shibley, chairman of independent power producer (IPP) Delta P., a longstanding diesel power provider to PALECO, said he welcomes the renewable hydropower project to the cooperative system.

“We welcome the addition of renewable hydro to the PALECO system. It will help in system balancing and provide additional economic power, and not dependent on imported fuels. We are very pleased to see the support of the Narra LGU to the long-awaited introduction of hydropower and the LPC to the Palawan power sector,” Shibley said.

Apparently, the hydropower project investment will result in bringing about savings of over P180 million per year for all power consumers in the country by reducing draws on the Universal Charge Subsidy (UCS). The savings will increase to nearly P400 million per year.

Bart Duff, president of the Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said they had earlier “endorsed the LPC’s hydropower project, and has been eagerly awaiting movements on the initiative for several years.”

“We really appreciate the tireless efforts of the LPC in pursuing development of affordable and clean energy for Palawan,” environment advocate and lawyer Grizelda Mayo-Anda of the Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE) said, on the other hand.

She added that the PACE views the agreement signing as a significant development in the pursuit of renewable energy for Palawan.

“We hope that this hydropower project will finally kill off the threat of dirty coal here in Palawan,” she added, saying they congratulate the LPC and the municipal government of Narra for the initiative.

The project has been timed to produce electricity for Palawan in 2016, and Langogan in 2017. The LPC and its Norwegian partners’ investment in the province will be over P2 billion, creating new jobs for the province.

Mayor Demaala thanked the LPC for bringing the investment to Narra, and assured the full support of the LGU.

AirAsia offers island transfer

(MST Business)

AirAsia teamed up with Lexxus shuttle service to offer passengers arriving at Puerto Princesa International Airport affordable, convenient and seamless connection through an island transfer service to El Nido, Sabang and other parts of Palawan.

The new service provides exclusive land transfers for AirAsia passengers arriving at Puerto Princesa International Airport directly to their hotel without the hassle of long queues and irregular public transits.

Island transfer service is now available on board all AirAsia flights between Manila and Puerto Princesa for only P700 one way, per person for El Nido and P300 for Sabang. Upon arrival at the airport, an air-conditioned van will bring passengers to their preferred destination and drop-off points in Sabang Wharf and El Nido town proper.

Additional charges, however, shall apply for transport service located outside these stations.

“We are thrilled to announce another value-added service from AirAsia as we partner with Lexxus to complete our passengers’ superb experience with us by making their land transfers between the airport and their hotels around El Nido, Sabang and Palawan easier, comfortable and affordable,” said AirAsia Philippines chief executive Joy Caneba.


A premium holiday destination for the discerning traveler

By Tessa Prieto-Valdes (My Square Meter, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Philippines has some of the best beach properties in the world. With over 7,000 islands, white sand beaches with turquoise waters are found in several of these tropical paradise destinations.

Cradled in the clear waters of one of Southeast Asia’s last frontiers is a pendant island called Huma Island Resort & Spa, a premium holiday destination for the discerning traveler seeking a personalized experience of exploration and discovery.

Huma Island Resort & Spa is a spectacular hideaway nestled in Busuanga, Palawan—a remote tropical paradise renowned for its wildlife and natural splendor. Surrounded by colorful marine life and sunken wrecks of dozens of Japanese warships and planes, this resort has been hailed as one of the top 10 best diving sites in the world.

Villas

Designed like the water villas in the Maldives, Huma has 64 roof villas on stilts over the azure Pacific. There are 81 villas all over the island with some beachfront rooms that are perfect for families with young children.

Each water villa has spectacular views of the beautiful seascape with outdoor Jacuzzi and a spacious deck. The interiors of the villa have a tropical vibe with printed fabrics on the pillows and hand-painted runners by Art of Gold.

Thoroughly contemporary in furnishing and amenities, each features an open-air Jacuzzi, luxury bathroom facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi and other modern urban conveniences.

For a global gastronomic experience, the island has eight gourmet dining stations. From exceptional Lebanese cuisine at Al Fairuz, exquisite Italian dishes at Al Dente, the seafood grilling station On The Harbour, a superb wine and cheese collection at Rudi’s, to luscious cocktails at the Blu Bar and all-day international fare at Waves, you’ll find that the flavors of Huma truly span the world.

The Kapuruan Spa at the island has floors of glass in unique over-water spa pavilions. A view of the colorful marine life is seen while having luxurious treatments. The ancient healing philosophies of Ayurveda, Asian-inspired and traditional Filipino therapies and an authentic Arabic Hammam ritual steam bath are all available as well.

Premier facilities

The resort’s premier facilities include an infinity pool, kids club, library, beauty salon, fitness center, resort shop and PADI-accredited dive center. The resort provides a 24-hour Villa Host service to cater to guest needs.

The gift shop has wonderful Filipino products and apparel as well as snacks and amenities needed. Home furnishings like serving trays and pillowcases are also sold.

Just an hour away from Manila by air, Busuanga is accessible daily via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Skyjet flights from Manila and Cebu. For more select, exclusive transfer, guests may opt to take the resort’s private seaplane service that lands directly in front of the resort.

As an introductory offer, Huma is offering a special rate starting at P16,200/$360 net person per night (minimum of two nights, double occupancy) for a limited time until March 31, 2015, only.

The Dream Island experience includes accommodation in a Water Villa, round trip land and boat transfers, full board gourmet dining, welcome spa treatment, resort facilities and many more.

This holiday season, Huma has planned several festive activities like Christmas caroling, cocktail parties, cultural dancing, Zumba lessons and yoga classes. These are all complimentary as well as the use of the jet skis and sailing boats.

Just until Jan. 5, 2015, the Huma festive promo package includes room accommodations at a water villa, buffet breakfast and lunch in Waves All-Day Dining Restaurant and a three-course dine-around dinner option in selected dining outlets. Return land and boat transfers from Busuanga Airport are also included. Visit their website www.humaisland.com for their festive season rate. Or call (632)5530119 and email to reservation@humaisland.com.

Happy Holidays!

Palawan govt employees to get additional bonuses

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (Philippines News Agency)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY -- All employees of the Palawan provincial government will be getting additional bonuses, the Provincial Information Office (PIO) said.

On Thursday, the PIO said bonuses of P20,000 will be given to regular and co-terminus employees as productivity enhancement incentives, and P 5,000 each for all contractual, job order, and casual employees.

The PIO said the bonuses will be given after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved in its last session for the year Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez’ request.

The governor said the additional bonuses are well-deserved, and is not only because of the season, but to encourage them more to serve the provincial government and the people thoroughly.

Palawan govt inks MOA with New Tribes Mission for soon-to-be built Agutaya Airport

(PNA)

Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez has signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with representatives in the Philippines of the New Tribes Mission (NTM) for a partnership project involving the construction of an airport in Agutaya town in the northern part of the province.

Provincial Information Officer Gil Acosta said Wednesday that Alvarez and Agutaya Mayor Mary Jane Raguin signed the agreement with Philip Le Roux of NTM on December 16 at the Provincial Capitol Building.

The international, theologically evangelical Christian mission organization NTM based in Sanford, Florida, USA is willing to help the Palawan government with P12 million for the construction of an airport in Agutaya.

It can be recalled that the NTM with Le Roux, Werner Scneudmiller and Joe Morris met with Alvarez on October 13, to present their proposal.

The proposal, according to the information officer, was based on the NTM of Alvarez’s pronouncement that he wanted to construct airports in several municipalities in Palawan to help their tourism industry for better local economies.

Acosta said the planned construction of the airport in Agutaya will be sped up with the help of the NTM, a group that spreads the gospel of the Lord.

In the said meeting, Scneudmiller, spokesperson of the NTM group, told Alvarez that the P12 million was the remaining fund from their solicitations to help the Yolanda survivors in Palawan.

The representative added that using the amount to help construct the airport in Agutaya has the blessing of all donors because it will also help them reach the town with ease for their religious mission.

Acosta said Alvarez, on the other hand, assured the representatives of the NTM that their donation will not be squandered, and will be used to construct the airport.

The governor also reportedly told them that the provincial government will allocate funds and other support for the construction of the airport, such as heavy equipment for the construction and for land development.

The information officer said the airport's construction is expected to start in 2015.

Palawan ventures into cacao farming

(PNA), FPV/PR/JSD

MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently signed the Cacao Production and Purchase Agreement with Kennemer Foods International, Inc (KFI) involving 54 hectares of idle lands in Apurawan, Aborlan, Palawan to help agrarian reform beneficiaries’ (ARBs) need for sustainable farming and high-income enterprises.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Conrado S. Guevarra said the cacao production project is a partnership between the DAR, KFI, Department of Agriculture and Land Bank under the Agricultural Production Credit Program.

Guevarra said the Land Bank of the Philippines released an initial capital of PHP 406,000 to 33 ARBs venturing into cacao farming for the first time.

Earlier, similar undertakings had been forged between KFI and a number of agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBOs) involving 200 hectares of agricultural land in selected agrarian reform communities (ARC) in Zamboanga del Norte and more than 250-hectare agricultural land in Davao City.

Guevarra added that one hectare of cacao farm is expected to yield 2000 kg of dried cacao beans per year. With cacao’s average selling price of 40/kg in the international market, an income of 96,000 per hectare per year for cacao farmers.

Guevarra added that DAR-KFI also conducted trainings on cacao production and maintenance to help the ARBs and field implementers to understand the requirements of land preparation and cacao production management through the proper application of KFI’s technologies.

“We are so thankful to the Department of Agrarian Reform and Land Bank of the Philippines for providing us financial assistance to pursue our dream to become a cacao capital in the province, and even in the whole country,” Jaime Favila, Sr., chair of Sto. Niño Multipurpose Cooperative, said.

Shell signs 5-yr. agreement to support protection of Tubbataha Reefs

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), FPV/CARF/JSD]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) through its social arm Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) signed Monday night with the management office of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that is committed to support the protected marine park for five years at Php 2.5 million per year.

PSFI Executive Director Edgar Veron Cruz signed the agreement with Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) Superintendent Angelique Songco and other representatives of concerned agencies during the Paskuhan 2014 Christmas Party that it hosted with the Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) and the Malampaya Joint Venture Partners composed of the Department of Energy, Chevron Malampaya LLC, PNOC-EC, and Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. for their program partners, friends, and community supporters in this city and the province.

Cruz told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an exclusive interview that “the partnership with Tubbataha began when Shell International and the UNESCO World Heritage Center provided technical support to assist in the development of a business plan.”

The partnership continued with the provision of SciP of Php 3 million for information, education, communication and capacity building activities via the project “Sustaining Conservation Gains in the TRNP.”

Accordingly, “the project has so far benefited nearly 2,000 fisher folk and over 7,000 students, as Shell continues to provide funding for public outreach, capacity building and research activities.”

Cruz said that with the new MOA, SciP and the PSFI are committed to provide Php 2.5 million each year for five years to Tubbataha that can be used in monitoring and research.

“It’s for five years… the memorandum of agreement we signed is for five years…five years of support, we will be providing them funds amounting to Php 2.5 million each year. All in all Php12.5 million for five years so, they can have enough funds for them to be able to do monitoring… assessment of marine resources, water quality, coral research, avian treasures on the islets… those that need to be protected,” Cruz stated.

He added that “eventually, SciP and PSFI will help the Tubbataha secure funds from the national government to further protect the marine park that is a treasure of the Philippines.”

“It is only right that the Filipino people give protection to Tubbataha because though it is in Palawan, it is theirs too,” he added.

“We are very happy that we will rest for a while in looking for funds for our monitoring activities in Tubbataha because of Shell’s partnership with us,” Songco said.

Before the MOA, Songco explained that “year after year, they would be looking for funds for the marine park.”

With Shell’s support, they can rest easy for a while to do their information campaigns to protect the marine park, and to conduct research activities that are needed to determine its overall health.

Palawan gov't, DOLE, POEA hold Jobs Fair in Palawan

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), LAP/CARF/JSD]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) –- The Provincial Public Employment Services Office (PESO) in cooperation with the DOLE-Palawan and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will hold a gift-giving jobs fair for Palaweños Tuesday.

Dubbed “Pamaskong Handong Jobs Fair,” the project is aimed at providing Palaweños job opportunities this Christmas Season.

Four overseas manpower agencies registered to the POEA and 18 local agencies and companies will participate in the jobs fair to look for skilled workers.

Based on the list of participating agencies, the following will be looking for qualified workers: Joseline International Manpower Corporation, Mayonview International Manpower Corporation, Sunway International Manpower Corporation and OPAS or Overseas Professional Achievers International Manpower Corporation.

Local companies that will be participating are Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc, Kennemer Foods, Stanrich Marketing, NCCC Mall-Palawan, Rizal Microbank, Link Ri Logistics Inc, FVCS Construction & Supply, Princesa Garden Resort & Spa, Jeco Distributors, Berong Nickel Corporation, Palawan Pawnshop, Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa, Supreme link Communications., IPP, TSKI, CBNC, RTN and PCBSI.

PESO Chief Manpower Development Officer Richard Rebote said Monday that Governor Jose Alvarez and Vice Governor Dennis Socrates will grace the opening with a special message for those who will visit the jobs fair.

Director Teodoro Delson, OIC Regional Director of DOLE-IVB MIMAROPA, is also expected at the event with Tita Hernandez and Roda Avillarozo of the POEA.

A similar jobs fair, said Rebote, will also be done Wednesday in the municipality of Brooke’s Point in southern Palawan.

He said the governor wants to bring the jobs fair to the residents in southern Palawan who cannot come to the city, and in the north at another schedule.

He added that part of IHELP’s goal is to ensure that employment is provided to Palaweños so they could support their families. The best time to give the gift of opportunity, Rebote furthered, is during the Christmas Season.

Kepco plant to run on pure diesel

By Alena Mae S. Flores

The Ilijan combined-cycle natural gas power plant will undergo early next year two weeks of tests feeding on pure diesel instead of biodiesel, or diesel with 2 percent blend of coco-methyl ester, in an attempt to maximize its capacity.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla has directed Kepco Philippines Corp., operator of the Ilijan natural gas station in Batangas province, to conduct technical tests using pure diesel for one of the plant’s power units.

Petilla said the tests would determine if one unit of the Ilijan plant could increase its capacity to 600 megawatts from the current 420 MW when fed by pure diesel.

Each unit of the Ilijan natural gas plant in Batangas has a rated capacity of 600 MW. It runs on natural gas from the Malampaya gas field in northwest Palawan but shifts to diesel when there is constraint in gas supply.

With the impending 30-day shutdown of the Malampaya gas field from March 15, 2015, the plant will shift to biodiesel.

“Theoretically, it should be able to run, according to Kepco, at a higher capacity if it is pure diesel but they {Kepco] have not tested it and we’re actually asking them to do the test,” Petilla told reporters.

The energy chief said the testing was originally scheduled in February but Kepco moved it to January because of low power demand.

Petilla said the results of the tests would determine if there was a need to suspend the Biofuels Law, which mandates the use of 2 percent CME blend on diesel for all power plants and retail stations.

Petilla added Congress approved a resolution granting emergency powers to President Benigno Aquino to exempt the Ilijan plant from the Biofuels Law.

“The tests are needed because we might be suspending something that will have no effect,” he said.

Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. earlier said the “proposed fuel shift from biodiesel to pure diesel will not provide assurance that the load of the plant’s Block 1 would increase from 420 MW to 600 MW whenever the natural gas supply from the Malampaya is not available.”

PSALM president and chief executive Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said only the Ilijan plant’s Block 1 would be available in 2015, as Block 2 would be on planned maintenance outage during the Malampaya shutdown from March 20, 2015 to April 20, 2015.

DOT unveils newest TVC featuring Palawan

By Azer N. Parrocha [(PNA), RMA/ANP]

MANILA, Dec 13 (PNA) -- Palawan’s famous Underground River was in the spotlight in the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) newest TV commercial (TVC), aimed at promoting the Philippines’ top tourist destinations here and abroad.

The 31-second commercial begins with a foreign tourist and her friends navigating underneath the Underground River’s cave calling out a “Hello” to no one in particular and listening to the sound of her voice echo from the cave’s walls.

DOT’s latest TVC, can be viewed on video-sharing website YouTube has over 3, 000 views and over 70 thumbs-ups since it was uploaded last Dec 4. It has also been virally shared in various social-networking sites.

“The Huffington Post calls it “the best island in the world” And we can’t help but agree!” the description on the TVC said.

“Anyone who’s been to Palawan can attest to its rich marine and wildlife, incredible landscapes and beautiful blue waters whether underground or above!” the description added.

Aside from Palawan, other provinces, cities and tourist destinations already featured in the DOT’s earlier TVCs include Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, and Manila to name a few.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the DOT’s marketing arm, said that the TVC will also be shown in digital billboards aside from those already available for viewing in YouTube.

Palawan last month received recognition from US news site, Huffington Post describing it as the “Most Beautiful Island in the World.”

Last October it was also ranked as “the top island destination in the world” by most readers in a survey conducted by a US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Nido Petroleum offers USD 108 million for 33 percent interest stake of Galoc field

By Leslie D. Venzon [(PNA), /JLD]

MANILA, Dec. 12 (PNA) – Nido Petroleum has offered USD 108 million cash for Otto Energy’s 33 percent working interest in the Galoc oil field in Northwest Palawan Basin.

”Nido Petroleum Limited and Otto Energy Limited are pleased to announce that the companies have executed a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) whereby Nido will acquire 100 percent of the shares in Galoc Production Company WLL (GPC), the holder of Otto’s 33 percent working interest in the Galoc oil field,” Nido Petroleum Limited said in a disclosure with the Australian Stock Exchange Friday.

Nido said the amount was recommended by Otto Energy’s board, higher than the previous SPA signed with Risco Energy Investments last Sept 22, which amounted to USD 101.4 million.

Based on the deal, Nido will provide an initial deposit of USD 10.8 million, 10 percent of USD 108 million.

Last July 1, Nido Petroleum has already paid USD 1 million, while another USD 9.8 million was scheduled to be paid within 10 days, according to Otto Energy’s disclosure at the Australian bourse.

With the completion of the USD 10.8 million payment, Nido had assumed all production rights and liabilities, completely absorbing Otto Energy’s 33 percent working interest share.

It has increased Nido’s share in the Galoc Field to 55.88 percent, enabling it to become SC 14’s operator.

Consequently, it has added to Nido’s production base, soaring to more than 4,000 barrels of oil per day.

However, the completion of the transaction is still dependent on the decision of Otto’s stockholders.

Another aspect of the deal to be decided by shareholders is whether there will be a loan security package, over the company’s account for receipts from the Galoc production. It will be voted upon the incoming Annual General Meeting in 2015.

Nido’s current cash reserves and debt facility, through Thailand listed -- Bangchak Petroleum Public Company Limited of Thailand -- will pay for the transaction. It owns 81.41 percent of Nido.

Nido said the loan will reach USD 120 million, to be paid with an initial annual interest rate of 6 percent plus LIBOR.

In a separate disclosure, Otto Energy said Risco Energy Investments will not match Nido Petroleum’s present offer.

Based on Otto Energy’s production and financial summary, For the 3rd Quarter of 2014, Galoc yielded 715,783 oil barrels (bbl)and a net production of 236,208 barrels in the 3rd Quarter this year. SC 14C has an average production of 7,780 barrels per day.

Revenues for Service Contract 14-C was noted to increase by 2.57 percent from March 2014's USD 21.676 million to USD 22.232 million in September.

Otto Energy is an oil and gas company listed in the Australian Stock Exchange, engaged in exploration, development and production. It has projects in the Philippines and Tanzania.

Further, Bangchak Petroleum is involved with refining, marketing and selling of petroleum products in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Australia-listed Nido Petroleum, is a South East Asian oil and gas exploration and production company.

Emergency power won’t be abused, vows solon

By Marc Jayson Cayabyab (INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines – Congress is set to keep an eye on the implementation of the joint resolution granting President Benigno Aquino III emergency powers to address the looming power crisis in 2015 as safeguard against possible abuses.

In a press conference, Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali said the technical working group (TWG) formed by the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC), which he co-chairs, will not be dissolved so it could still monitor possible abuses in the implementation of the resolution.

The lower chamber, in a vote of 149-18, approved the resolution on third and final reading on Wednesday.

He said the resolution was amended to show that the President may authorize to source from the Malampaya fund the reimbursement for the owners of self-generating facilities or back-up generators over their fuel expenses and reasonable recovery of use.

The Malampaya fund, or royalties from a gas field off Palawan, figured in a corruption scandal over allegations that some P900 million from the fund went to ghost projects for kickbacks through the bogus foundations linked to Janet Lim-Napoles. Napoles faces a plunder complaint in connection to this, as well as a plunder charge before the Sandiganbayan on a separate pork barrel scam case. “We did not dissolve the TWG of the JCPC so that it will continue to function to foresee its implementation, so we will avoid excesses or abuses,” Umali said.

According to the amended resolution, “The President is hereby authorized to source from the Malampaya funds the amount necessary to implement the provision.”

Umali said this portion of the resolution is meant to downplay criticisms that Congress may lose its mandate to dictate on the executive how to use the Malampaya fund, which is now required by the Supreme Court to be used only for energy-related projects.

“We put in the amendment that the Malampaya as the source to clarify issues that the Supreme Court decision says Congress should not surrender its mandate to dictate on the executive how to use the Malampaya. This is to clarify that the authority to use the Malampaya fund for this purpose emanates from Congress through this joint resolution,” Umali said.

Pressed on possible abuses on the joint resolution, Umali could not give any, saying the resolution was drafted precisely to prevent excesses besides its purpose to avert the power crisis.

“I am not thinking about that. I am positive about this,” Umali said.

“We will be on top of the situation. We will rely on reports, more than those from Malacañang, also from power stakeholders including the private sector so that we will know if there are problems. And we will do it proactively, not reactively,” he added.

House Joint Resolution No. 21 seeks “to provide for the establishment of additional power generating capacity as mandated by Republic Act No. 9136, also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), to effectively address the projected shortage of the supply of electricity in the Luzon grid from March 12 to July 2015.”

In a letter to Congress, President Aquino said granting him the authority to contract additional power capacity will help him address the factors of the power shortage, such as the anticipated El Nino phenomenon, the Malampaya plant shutdown, prevalent outages of power plants, among others.

The resolution was amended on the plenary to show that only 782 megawatts, from the earlier forecast of 1,004 MW, is the maximum projected shortfall during the period.

Of this, 135 MW, from earlier forecast of 600MW, is needed to meet the required regulating reserve, while 647 MW, from 404 MW, is needed for required contingency reserve.

Also, the resolution said there is a projected two weeks of red alert, when brownouts will occur, and at least 15 weeks of yellow alert, or thinning power reserves. This was amended from an earlier forecast of four weeks of yellow alert only.

According to the resolution, “additional generating capacity shall be sourced from the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), fast tracking of committed projects, and plants for interconnection and rehabilitation.”

The ILP is seen as the solution to the anticipated power shortage. Under the ILP, big industrial and commercial customers who have the ability to produce their own electricity through generating sets should cut off or reduce their supplied electricity, particularly during peak periods of the day, and instead use their own generator sets.


Palawan lawmaker seeks regulation of agriculture profession in PH

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), CTB/CARF/JSD]

A Palawan congressman has filed a bill regulating the practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines in a bid to make it world-class and globally competitive.

Rep. Douglas S. Hagedorn, author of House Bill No. 5212, said there is a need to develop and nurture competent and productive licensed agriculturists given the importance of agriculture in nation building and development.

“This can be done through effective and credible licensure examinations and through regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster their professional growth and development,” Hagedorn said.

The bill aims to create the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture, a collegial body under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission. The board shall be composed of a chairman and five members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines.

The measure provides that applicants for registration for the practice of agriculture shall be required to pass a licensure examination.

Palawan guv leads provincial sports delegation in 8th BIMP EAGA Friendship Games

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), CTB/CARF/JSD]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 9 (PNA) – Selected Palawan athletes are now competing in Labuan, Malaysia in the 8th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games that will end December 10.

Sunshine Cabiguen, provincial sports coordinator, said Tuesday that the Palawan delegation left with Governor Jose Alvarez and other provincial government and sports officials on December 6 to participate in the friendship games that is aimed at enriching their understanding of participating countries’ traditions, culture and arts, strengthening friendly relations through sports with other nationalities, and sportsmanship.

The Palawan team is composed of 16 athletes, who participated in sepak takraw and badminton that are for below 21 years old, he said.

He added that the female players in the sepak takraw were selected during the 1st Governor JCA Women’s Regu Championship in July this year, while the male players were picked from a try out.

The badminton players, on the other hand, are products of the Palarong Panlalawigan MIMAROPA Regional Athletic Association Meet and Palarong Pambansa.

Cabiguen said the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) paid for the accommodation, track suits for the parade of the delegation and allowances of U.S. 0 each, and the provincial government paid for their uniforms and transportation expenses.

Unable to give details as of yet regarding the result of the friendship games, he said the athletes, who were sent there are all on top of their sports, and will not embarrass the province.

The most important thing however, he said, is for them to enrich their sportsmanship playing against athletes of other countries that compose that BIMP-EAGA, and encourage cohesion and unity with each other.

The players for badminton (female) are Jelene Decosto Allysa Genoso, Wenamie Anne Malabuet, and for male, Bernardo Ceasar Mantubig, Noello Ponce, Ian Christian Joya and Bernard Bongat.

In sepak takraw, the players are Kristine Laru-an, Elnalyn Batiancila, Jacqueline Nacional, Crischel Ann Rodriguez (females) and Jefero Rugay, Kaiko Ravina, Samuel Padilla, and Joefred Fabregas (males).

Aside from the two sports, there are also lawn bowling, futsal, beach volleyball, pencat selat seni, athletics, archery, football, and golf for VIPs of the sports event.

The friendship game is done every two years, and rotates in the countries that are part of the BIMP-EAGA. Aside from Palawan, there is also a sports delegation from Mindanao.

Lorries become windbreakers in Coron to keep new public market safe from 'Ruby'

By Lyle B. Coruna (PNA), FPV/CARF/LBC/JSD

CORON, PALAWAN, Dec. 8 (PNA) – Lorries and other heavy equipment become wind-resistant metal and steel jackets here in a municipal government effort to protect its newly-constructed public market from the harsh wind that typhoon Ruby will tag along when it passes through the Calamianes Islands on its exit to the West Philippines Sea.

According to Mayor Clara Reyes, construction owners in Coron lent their trucks and other heavy equipment to the local government unit (LGU), and parked them on a line behind the new seaside public market as windbreakers.

“The market is so open to the strong winds Ruby will be taking with it when it passes through Coron, and the trucks can help reduce their destructive force,” Reyes said. The market also suffered serious damages from super typhoon Yolanda last year.

As of Sunday, over 1,500 residents have already sought temporary shelters in designated evacuation centers like Coron School of Fisheries and Claudio Sandoval Elementary School (North and South).

The lady mayor said they expect the number to quadruple Monday as more residents go to Saint Augustine Academy, Balisungan Elementary School, Palawan State University, Barangay Poblacion 5 Hall and other identified shelters.

The suspension of classes, she furthered, was also lengthened – from December 5-11, or until it is already safe for residents to return to their homes.

The LGU also ordered Sunday a price freeze as protection for residents, who will purchase food while still in the evacuation centers.

As part of the pre-emptive measure against Ruby, the LGU also ensured that Mactan Rock Water will have enough supply for the evacuees, and standby generator sets to maintain operation in pumping stations.

The Calamianes Island Power Corporation, she stated, has enough gasoline too, to keep supplying power. The local power cooperative Busuanga Islands Electric Cooperative (BISELCO) will only cut power if it’s signal number 3.

On the other hand, Globe Telecommunications also provided standby technicians if the town loses signal due to Ruby. Reyes said communication is important and Globe’s action is appreciated.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express has cancelled its flight to Coron on Monday, and island tours have been suspended to keep tourists safe.

UN probes claim Palawan’s Underground River deteriorating

By Redempto D. Anda (Inquirer Southern Luzon)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—A report claiming that Palawan province’s main tourist draw, the Underground River, is deteriorating has prompted an investigation by the UN body that granted it the status of a World Heritage Site.

Eric Cerrudo, commissioner of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Philippines, in a phone interview, said an independent expert sent by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had completed an investigation of an “anonymous complaint” lodged against the river park at the Paris-based Unesco Heritage Center.

Cerrudo said the IUCN expert sent by the Unesco Heritage Center had completed the review and was set to hold exit conference meetings with park and city government officials.

He said the IUCN expert would also confer with Philippine national officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila prior to the issuance of Unesco’s final report.

Cerrudo expressed confidence the Underground River would hurdle the review.

“I am confident they will see and appreciate the exemplary efforts and management improvements by the city government and the Protected Areas Management Board in the park,” he said.

Cerrudo said the complaint was based on “erroneous observations” about the current condition of the national park, including allegations that it had allowed a rubber plantation within its boundaries.

Another claim in the complaint was the prevalence of illegal wildlife trading.

Cerrudo said that while Unesco relies on IUCN experts to independently validate complaints of these nature, they believed the allegations have no basis.

He said the Unesco Philippines office “was not even aware” of the complaint filed directly at the Unesco headquarters in Paris.

Cerrudo said, however, that one of the challenges facing the city government is coping with the rapid influx of tourists to the 8.2-kilometer-long Underground River that flows directly to the sea.

Questions have been raised about the excessive volume of tourists being allowed daily into the river.

“Tourism activities in the park are peaking very fast the city government has to catch up,” Cerrudo said.

But he said it was unlikely the issue of removing the Underground River on the list of World Heritage Sites would even be raised.

“Most likely there would just be discussions about some specific management issues during a meeting in Berlin next year,” Cerrudo said.

The park was inscribed on the Unesco list of natural World Heritage Sites on Dec. 4, 1999. It is one of two such places in Palawan, the other being the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

The Underground River’s popularity peaked in 2012 following its recognition as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature by a Switzerland-based private foundation, drawing thousands of tourists daily.

How Palawan is bracing for Typhoon Ruby

By Joel Locsin / NB, (GMA News)

In Palawan, a town mayor warned her constituents they could be arrested if they refused to cooperate in the evacuation, state-run Philippines News Agency reported.

Coron, Palawan Mayor Clara Reyes ordered the arrest following a meeting of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's emergency meeting Thursday evening.

“The municipal PNP will arrest anyone who will refuse the forced evacuation,” PNA quoted Reyes as saying following the MDRRMC emergency meeting Thursday night.

Elsewhere in Palawan, concerned citizens in Puerto Princesa City started a “Storm Prayer Brigade” via text message to pray that Palawan be spared from Ruby’s devastation.

2nd mining forum in Palawan focuses on sustainable solution

(VSM/LBR/PIA-Palawan)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Dec. 4 (PIA) – The ongoing second mining forum examines the benefits of mining in the economy and the community in an attempt to reach a sustainable solution to an extractive industry that is barraged with many issues.

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) Staff and the Provincial Government of Palawan spearhead the mining forum with the theme “Society and Biodiversity in the Mining Industry: the Sustainable Solution.”

In his videotaped message to the attendees, Palawan Governor and PCSD Chairman Jose Ch. Alvarez enjoined the mining companies to strengthen their Social Development and Management Plan and to give environmental enhancements, particularly biodiversity concerns, their utmost priority. He criticized mining companies which have failed to rehabilitate mined out areas. The Palawan Governor also proposed the setting up of a trust fund for all the royalty shares of the indigenous People (IPs) from mining operations in the province.

Session one of the forum presented the different aspects of the industry as viewed from the government sector through the following discussants: Director Roland de Jesus of Mines & Geosciences Bureau – IVB for the Philippine Mining Act; Ms. Buenafe Aquino of Environment Management Bureau for the Philippine EIS System; Ms. Teresita Blastique of biodiversity Management Bureau for National Integrated Protected Areas System Act; and Mr. Sandy Padilla of National Commission for Indigenous Peoples IVB for the IP royalty management.

Session two presented the views from the mining sector with contributions from Rufo S. Cabanlig , CEO of Berong Nickel Corporation; Jane Urbanek, IEC Officer of Rio Tuba Nickel Corporation; Briccio Abela, environmental & Quality Control Manager of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation; and, Citinickel Mining Corporation.

In addition to these speakers, Dr. Antonia Corinthia C. N. Naz, National Consultant of the Asian Development Bank who presented a study on the mining industry, and Dr. Edwino Fernando, a taxonomist from University of the Philippines Los Baños who gave a new perspective for the industry and the protection of biodiversity.

The last session this morning will group participants for the preparation of an action plan. The participants include representatives from the academe, the civil society, local government units hosting mining operations, local communities, and other national government agencies.

The forum organizers hoped that after the event, options on how the benefits derived from mining can be optimized for the people of Palawan, and not just to the direct host communities.

Search mounted for missing Taiwanese in El Nido

By Redempto D. Anda KG (Inquirer Southern Luzon)

A town in Palawan has been declared under a state of calamity due to bad weather conditions brought by Tropical Storm Queenie (Sinlaku) last week.

The local government of Taytay town made the declaration after initially assessing the damage caused by Queenie, RGMA Palawan's James Viernes reported on dzBB radio.

Citing data from the local government of Taytay, the report said Queenie damaged more than 200 bancas and houses.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's Dec. 1 update indicated Queenie affected 9,406 families or 46,954 people in 133 barangays in Mimaropa, Western and Central Visayas, Regions 10 and 11, and Caraga.

Of these, 295 families or 1,362 people are staying in 12 evacuation centers.

At least four were confirmed dead, two injured and eight missing in Queenie's wake.

Palawan town under state of calamity due to TS Queenie

By Joel Locsin / KG(GMA News )

A town in Palawan has been declared under a state of calamity due to bad weather conditions brought by Tropical Storm Queenie (Sinlaku) last week.

The local government of Taytay town made the declaration after initially assessing the damage caused by Queenie, RGMA Palawan's James Viernes reported on dzBB radio.

Citing data from the local government of Taytay, the report said Queenie damaged more than 200 bancas and houses.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's Dec. 1 update indicated Queenie affected 9,406 families or 46,954 people in 133 barangays in Mimaropa, Western and Central Visayas, Regions 10 and 11, and Caraga.

Of these, 295 families or 1,362 people are staying in 12 evacuation centers.

At least four were confirmed dead, two injured and eight missing in Queenie's wake.

Puerto prone to climate disaster–WWF

By Redempto D. Anda (Inquirer Southern Luzon)

AFTER being named as the top island in the world by the readers of the renowned United States travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler in October, the province of Palawan once again received recognition from well-known American news website Huffington Post.

In an article titled “Palawan, the most beautiful island in the world, is sheer perfection,” which was published on the website last week, HuffPost Travel writer Carly Ledbetter described the Philippines as an “underappreciated” tropical travel destination, especially since it is home to “a hidden piece of paradise”, like Palawan.

She wrote that the province’s “beautiful blue water mixes with emerald green”, and noted its “jungle-filled mountains that appear to rise up from the ocean”.

Ledbetter listed island-hopping around the Bacuit archipelago (for the cliffs, sinkholes and lagoons); traveling to Puerto Princesa City (for its culinary delights); and staying in one of Coron town’s “otherworldly” luxury hotels as some of the province’s high points.

She also cited the province’s incredible and rare wildlife—from purple crabs and the Philippine mouse-deer to the Philippine pangolin, butterflies and the Palawan bearcat.

Ledbetter suggested to her readers to try scuba-diving in Palawan, since it is one of the “best spots to scuba-dive in the world;” tour Puerto Princesa’s underground river; or take a boat to travel between the islands.

“We’re pretty sure that after all the biking, swimming and exploring you’ll do—you’ll never want to leave,” the writer said.

“Many say the ideal time to head to Palawan is between about October and May, so we suggest booking tickets ASAP,” she added.

Palawan is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Philippines, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

In fact, the island is featured in the DOT’s official television commercials that are aired internationally and can also be viewed on the video-sharing website YouTube.

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