Palawan News March 2017

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

Palawan - Archived News
Ph seal palawan.png
Seal of Palawan
Please upload
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Palawan Province, Philippines
Palawan philippines map locator.png
Map locator of Palawan
Palawan map.jpg
Map of Palawan Island
Map of Palawan
Palawan provincial capitol 01.jpg
Provincial Capitol of Palawan

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.

Palawan underground river.gif
Undergroud River in Palawan
Palawan underground river.jpg
Underground river in Pureto Princesa, Palawan
Palawan baracuda lake.jpg
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.
Palawan 001.jpg
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

PAL launches Puerto Princesa to Cebu, Clark flights

By Cherry Camacho (ABS-CBN News)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - Philippine Airlines said Wednesday it launched two new flights to this tourism gateway.

The Puerto Princesa to Clark service was opened on Tuesday, two days after the launch of the Puerto Princesa to Cebu route, said PAL assistant vice president for sales Harry Inoferio.

Inoferio said the new routes would also help ease congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The Puerto Princesa International Airport handles on average 20 flights daily, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

Last year, PAL launched its first international flight from Puerto Princesa to Taipei.

Palawan hosts nat’l kart series opener

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Palawan plays host to the opening leg of the 2017 Petron ROK Karting Super Series at the Palawan International Circuit in Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa.

The Palawan International Circuit will be a test of driving skills, strategies and wits on the twisting, highly technical 1.350-km long, 8-10 meter-wide course.

Competing karters will dispute the crowns in the the ROK Senior Blaze 100, Formula 125 Open Senior Blaze 100, X30 Veterans Blaze 100, X30 Masters Blaze 100, X30 Junior Petron Tri-Action, Formula 125 Open Junior Petron Tri-Action, Formula Cadet Novice Ultron, Formula Cadet Expert Ultron, Mini-ROK Petron XCS and the combined Formula SL Xtra and Ladies class. Close Ad X

A three-way showdown looms among Japanese ace Takaharu Nakamori of Apex Racing, Mikey Jordan of Jordan Racing Team and John Dizon of Edgesport Racing in both the ROK Senior Blaze 100 and Formula 125 Open Senior Blaze 100 classes.

The event is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petron, Petron Blaze 100 Euro 5, Petron XCS, Petron Ultron, Petron Xtra, Petron Sprint, Magnolia Pure Water and Yokohama (official tires).

Rice beverages featured in Puerto Princesa market

By Diana Lat (ABS-CBN News)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - A weekend market in Puerto Princesa City is selling rice - not as food, but as beverage.

A small establishment named Chokulet features rice beverages from different varieties of rice. One can choose from milagrosa rice, kaingin, brown, and black.

It also has kapeng bukid, which is a mixture of coffee beans and rice.

Chokulet also serves chocolate and tablea with a mixture of rice, which is a favorite among children.

According Prescilia Badua, owner of Chokulet, rice coffee was a childhood favorite in their hometown of Rizal, Palawan.

They want to contribute to tourism in the province by featuring local products that have been part of their childhood.

They also take pride that their coffee has no caffeine and has a calming effect.

Customers said it tastes like coffee and chocolate, with the sweet hint of rice.

Their products have undergone testing from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and are registered with the Department of Trade in Industry (DTI).

The owner said the store is still in the process of getting permits from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Premiere Horizon to raise up to Php500 M for tourism foray

(PNA), LESLIE D. VENZON

MANILA (PNA) -- Listed Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp. (PHA) is raising up to Php500-million funding to foray into the fast-growing tourism sector.

The company will fast track the development of the master planned property of West Palawan Premiere Development Corp. (WPP), the company’s tourism subsidiary.

The project is located along the emerging West Palawan corridor.

“PHA’s investment in WPP is a strategic move consistent with our thrust to invigorate the countryside as we continue to hike up our investment portfolio,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Augusto Serafica, Jr.

The final terms of a five-year redeemable cumulative preferred shares offer of WPP amounting to Php300 million to Php500 million are being finalized.

Funding will be used to accelerate development and value creation for the first phase of the project, consisting of the Nagtabon Beach and North Cove pods totaling over 60 hectares, road access development, permits acquisition and awareness campaign.

Also in the works is the development plan for the commercial retail areas, installation of floating docks, acquisition of water sports facilities, mobilization of boat rides, cove-hopping, island diving and water sports activities to maximize access to the township property’s vast nautical highway feature.

Part of the funding will also be used to complete the regulatory permitting activities as well as filing for a tourism estate zone accreditation with Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) or Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

Meanwhile, WPP also purchased an additional five-hectare beachfront property in Nagtabon Beach, 40 minutes away from the Puerto Princesa International Airport, which is expected to open in April of 2017.

A tourism development plan for the area is underway. (PNA) LESLIE D. VENZON

There's now a Boracay-El Nido direct flight

By Potpot Pinili (Rappler.com)

You can now fly from El Nido to Boracay and back!

EL NIDO, Philippines – El Nido and Boracay are now connected through a 45-minute flight via AirSwift! This means you can get your tan in El Nido in the morning and join the epic parties of Boracay at night on the same day.

Because two of the most beautiful and award-winning islands in the world are now linked, there's no need to fly back to Manila or Cebu just to get from one to the other.

AirSwift made its maiden flight yesterday, March 17 from Lio Airport in El Nido, Palawan. Carrying a cabin-full of mostly foreign tourists and inaugural guests, it was welcomed at Godofredo Ramos Airport in Caticlan with a water canon salute.

“We dreamed of this to happen for such a long time now” said Malay, Aklan mayor Ciceron Cawaling. “And the day had finally come for our tourists to have easy access to these great holiday destinations.”

Traveling direct between El Nido and Boracay has never happened in the past. Tourists had to spend more on airfares by flying back to Manila or by connecting to Mactan Cebu airport to make their onward connecting flights.

For holiday makers who have limited time but want to experience both islands, this new flight service truly saves time and effort.

Caticlan Airport manager, Cesar Chong was very happy to receive this development just right in time for the completion of its expanded airport infrastructure. Notably, big jets can now also land in Caticlan where it once only accommodated propeller aircrafts.

A short inaugural program was held right inside the airport that created a buzz among the waiting passengers. Many were excited and swarmed around the activity area. Some foreign backpackers instantly booked their return flights to Boracay too.

Commercial flights are officially set to start on March 19 with an introductory round trip airfare of P6,000. This price, which is not inclusive of terminal fee, is offered until further notice. It will fly 4 times a week, every Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Bookings are available at www.air-swift.com.

AirSwift is a Filipino boutique airline company that services premium island destinations like Batanes (through chartered service by Wakay Air), Cebu, El Nido and now Boracay. It boasts of its fleet of brand new aircrafts that could carry up to 48 passengers.

AirSwift General Manager Alfonso Javier Reyes says, “we are small but we try so hard to make our beautiful holiday destinations closer, one island at a time”.

Soon, AirSwift will also fly to Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo. So if you’re dreaming of Islas de Gigantes and Buaya Beach, prepare, because this could be the flight you’ve been waiting for.

Having both El Nido and Boracay now connected is a paradise-to-paradise service. It truly brings a wonderful change in the way we travel on this side of the Philippines.

Soldiers' ‘Tribo’ program benefits Batak IP families in Roxas, Palawan

(PNA), CARF

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY (PNA) -- A military official said Wednesday the 4th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT 4) had visited the hinterlands of Barangay Caramay, Roxas in northern Palawan to implement the Tribo (Tribal Bayanihan Outreach) program, which seeks to support local government and non-government initiatives for indigenous peoples (IPs).

Capt. Wanel Ansa, the Battalion's environment management (EM) and civil military officer (CMO), told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview that the TRIBO provided refreshments to over a hundred Batak children and adults; distributed canned goods to around 55 IP families, assorted clothes, shoes, and sandals; and donated soccer balls, toys, and multivitamins at Sitio Nanabu, Caramay in the former silica mining town of Roxas on Tuesday.

Books from the non-profit international development organization Asia Foundation were also donated for the children through the Nanabu Indigenous Peoples Elementary School (NIPES), the Crossworld Tribal School (CTS), and the Nanabu Daycare Center (NDC), whose building was coincidentally inaugurated on the day of the visit.

Sitio Nanabu is a cultural enclave of around 55 Batak families composed of nearly 200 adults and children in the uncharted areas of Roxas municipality.

Surrounded by large natural elevations, Nanabu is an exquisite human settlement in Caramay that is not often visited as it is around 14.9 kilometers from the northern Palawan arterial road, said Ansa.

"The distance is what keeps more visits from happening. When it's raining hard, those who want to help cannot go to Nanabu because the river would be flooded. Crossing the river bends is also another challenge; if you go up, wait to get down the next day," he added.

Lt. Colonel Danilo Facundo, commander of the 4th MBLT, said Wednesday afternoon that TRIBO is their "determined attempt to continuously connect with the introverted Batak indigenous peoples in their area of responsibility (AOR) to sustain IP-themed projects of Roxas municipality and various government and non-government stakeholders."

The visit, he added, is also to ensure that the Batak community in Nanabu will not be exposed to dangers or risks as dwellers are "vulnerable and prone to exploitation."

Like other IPs, the Batak people are constantly defenseless and exposed to recruitment by the leftist movement New People’s Army (NPA).

In fact, only in February, three Batak IPs, who were recruited into the NPA movement in Palawan, surrendered to the Western Command (WESCOM).

This is what TRIBO hopes to end – the recruitment of the IPs into something that they do not understand will only push them more to poverty, and a life of danger and fear.

Marly Carceller, 30, a Batak mother, who was among the first to welcome the 4th MBLT and other stakeholders, could not stop smiling and saying her gratitude to her new friends.

"Kami ay nagpapasalamat nakaabot kayo sa amin na may magandang pangangatawan para magpaabot ng tulong sa amin. Salamat po (We are thankful that you're able to reach us in good health to give us help. Thank you)," said Carceller, who knew it is not easy for her 4th MBLT friends to get to their village in Nanabu.

According to recent provided data, the Batak are one of about 70 indigenous peoples' groups in the Philippines. They are located in the northeastern portions of Palawan, southwest of the archipelago. There are only about 500 Batak remaining.

"Also called Tinitianes, the Batak people are considered by anthropologists to be closely related to the Ayta of Central Luzon, another Negrito tribe. They tend to be small in stature, with dark skin and short curly or "kinky" hair, traits which originally garnered the "Negrito" groups their name. Still, there is some debate as to whether the Batak are related to the other Negrito groups of the Philippines or actually to other, physically similar groups in Indonesia, or as far away as the Andaman islands."

The visit was done by the 4th MBLT in partnership with the Municipality of Roxas (LGU), Western Command (WESCOM), the Asia Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Puerto Princesa, Ms. Atila Yap, Ms. Eleanor Enopia, and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of the Provincial Government of Palawan (PSWDO-PGP).

Hue in the tropical paradise

By Theresa S. Samaniego (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Hue Puerto Princesa is inspired by Palawan’s lush environment and is designed as a wide-open space that invites you to a fresh and tranquil stay while discovering the beauty of Palawan within its walls.

The green tropical paradise welcomes a new member in its family—the Hue Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa.

And its opening comes at the most perfect time as the month of April ushers in the hottest days of the year, during which many would find themselves looking for that perfect island escape—one that would fit their fancy, hobbies, and budget.

Managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc. (HII), this new chain of hotels would allow travelers to experience the best that Puerto Princesa has to offer.

“There was no one better to help us deliver the best service to guests than HII. They are experts in making unique concepts come to life and we believe they are the best company to help us maximize our hotels’ business and commercial potential, and so we tapped them to handle the management and operations of our hotels,” said Dexter and Dennis Lee, managing directors of Hue Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa.

“We, at HII, are very honored to be to be asked to manage the Hue Hotels and Resorts brand,” added HII founder and CEO Luis Monserrat.

“It is definitely a worthy project and we were very impressed with the concept, the amount of thought they put into it, the choice of locations. They are excellent partners and working with them has been a great pleasure for all of us at HII,” Monserrat added.

Welcome treat

The addition of the Hue Hotels & Resorts to the city’s evolving property landscape is a welcome treat for many travelers looking to explore the famed paradise that is Palawan and its local culture and offerings.

This world-class resort is expected to provide a new level of comfort and leisure in the country’s last frontier with its premium amenities and services.

Situated at the heart of the city, Hue Puerto Princesa was inspired by Palawan’s lush environment and was designed with wide open spaces that invite you to a rejuvenating stay.

Hue, through its design forward and culturally-rooted architecture, embodies being “Glocal” referring to a destination that attracts the global market but is hinged on local roots. It tapped architectural firm, AIDEA, Arch. Jojo Tolentino to further bring out the “Glocal” in the resort’s first development in Puerto Princesa.

Hue is also home to Matiz Restaurant and Tapas Bar, a one-of-a-kind dining experience with a colorful blend of Spanish, American, Vietnamese and Filipino dishes owned by Chef Gabby Prats.

Boracay offering

From Palawan, this hotel brand also goes to Boracay, a tourist favorite due to the vibrant energy the island exudes, and the complete experience you can have given the range of activities available.

And Hue Boracay steps in as a game changer by being an all-in-one lifestyle destination.

Instead of hopping from one place to another, this is where you can have a complete shopping, dining and relaxation experience all in one place.

Hue Hotels & Resorts Boracay represents both sides of this top tourist spot—the fun and vibrant side, and the relaxing beach destination that it is. The expansive structure also weaves in a new retail complex called Station X.

Hue Hotels and Resorts was envisioned to give guests an authentic experience of its destination right within the comforts of a hotel. The design and concept of each property is different from one another to integrate the personality of the destination, what it’s known for, and its cultural identity.

Synchronized barangay assembly to kick off in Palawan

By Alliae Alexie Garcia

In yesterday’s ‘Kapihan sa PIA’ session held at the PIA Office, PEO Compound, DILG-Palawan Provincial Director Mario Daquer announced that Palawan’s different barangays are set to conduct a synchronized barangay assembly on Saturday, March 25.

Daquer said the assembly will be an instrument for Palaweños to express their views and opinions on the situation in their barangays. “Sa pamamagitan din ng pagpupulong na ito ay maipaparating natin sa ating mga barangay officials ang mga nais nating iparating na mga problema,” Daquer said.

The said event will also cover discussions on the upcoming programs and projects in each barangay, as proposed by officials.

In an interview, Daquer encouraged Palaweños to join the said event to raise awareness and participation in the current events taking place in their respective barangays.

PHA readies fund-raising for Palawan eco-tourism project

By Arra B. Francia

PREMIERE HORIZON Alliance Corp. (PHA) is raising between P300 million and P500 million to fund an eco-tourism project under its tourism subsidiary West Palawan Premiere Development Corp. (WPP).

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, PHA said the terms of WPP’s five-year redeemable cumulative preferred shares offer are currently being finalized.

The funds will be used for the development of WPP’s master-planned eco-tourism township in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

“Funding will be used to accelerate development and value creation for the first phase of the project consisting of the Nagtabon Beach and North Cove pods totaling over 60 hectares, road access development, permits acquisition and awareness campaign,” PHA said.

WPP will also tap the funds for the development of commercial retail areas, installation of floating docks, acquisition of water sports facilities, mobilization of boat rides, cove-hopping, island diving and water sports activities.

In June last year, the company unveiled the 576-hectare development spanning several white sand beaches in the Bacungan-Napsan area in Puerto Princesa.

WPP also acquired an additional five-hectare beachfront property in Nagtabon Beach, 40 minutes away from the Puerto Princesa International Airport, which is expected to open in April.

“PHA’s investment in WPP is a strategic move consistent with our thrust to invigorate the countryside as we continue to hike up our investment portfolio,” said PHA President and Chief Executive Officer Augusto Serafica, Jr. in the statement.

PHA saw its net income rise 52% to P150.4 million in the first nine months of 2016. Shares in PHA closed at 43.5 centavos apiece on Tuesday, up 3.57% or P0.015.

Palawan to expand arterial road into six-lane superhighway

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, March 22 (PNA) –- The province of Palawan will soon start turning its 600-kilometer arterial road from southern to the northern side into a six-lane superhighway to further boost tourism potentials, and in support of the sub-regional economic co-operation initiative Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Vision 2025 on facilitating free movement of people, goods, and services.

Lawyer and provincial information officer Gil Acosta Jr. told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview Wednesday that the “ambitious plan of developing the province’s national road, which costs PhP30 billion, has been approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, and will be coursed through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)".

He said an initial amount of PhP3 billion has been downloaded to the DPWH for the six-lane superhighway project, and bidding has started late last year.

“Initially, PhP3 billion is already there to start the pilot project, which will be in the 2nd Palawan District, from Narra to Bataraza in the southern side,” he said, adding Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez’s firm effort to implement all the “infrastructure goals” under IHELP (infrastructure, health, education, livelihood, and protection of the environment) helped clinch President Duterte’s approval.

Negotiations, he said, have now shifted to the DPWH and other concerned national government agencies to craft and settle the details of the project and finalize implementation.

For decades, the existing two-lane National Highway in Palawan that meanders from El Nido in the north to Bataraza in the south provides accessibility to the municipalities in the mainland.

The narrow road is an unwelcome sight for visiting tourists, who troop to the island to enjoy its premier destinations. Thus, the provincial government responded to the call with urgency and strong resolve, said Acosta.

“The robust growth of the local economy attributed primarily to the thriving tourism industry made it imperative for the provincial leadership to seek remedy to address the need for wider roads for ease of travel,” he stated.

“Taking into account the citation earned by Palawan as the “World’s Best Island” destination, Governor Alvarez is quick to capitalize on it as the bargaining chip in lobbying for funds to finance the big-ticket infrastructure project,” Acosta said.

He said “the expansion of the arterial road would make it convenient for motorists to haul agricultural and fishery products of rural communities dotting the countryside.”

The six-lane superhighway project is targeting completion within the next three years, and is expected to further accelerate the development and inclusive growth of Palawan in the coming years.

“This six-lane superhighway is also for the BIMP-EAGA economic cooperation initiative since the objective is to connect Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia to Buliluyan in Bataraza to San Fernando, El Nido to Coron,” Acosta said.

Under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, the other target linkages of the transport sector include the Bitung-Tahuna-Gensan, Brooke’s Point-Sandakan-Kota Kinabalo, Brooke’s Point-Bataraza-Kudat and Brooke’s Point-Brunei.

DOH’s ‘Air Ambulance’ airlifts first passenger from Coron

By Catherine Santos

The Department of Health – MIMAROPA’s (Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) air ambulance airlifted its first passenger on March 16, 2017 from Coron, Palawan in a flight bound for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Taft Avenue, Manila.

In a statement released to Media, the patient was a 5-year old female from Barangay 6, Coron, Palawan who acquired a head injury from a motorcycle accident. She was diagnosed with a depressed fracture at the right tempo-parietal area.

“After we were informed of the patient’s case the next day, the air ambulance was immediately dispatched to Coron at 10:30 a.m. to transport her to PGH Taft Avenue, Manila, and arrived at 12:30 p.m. The Cessna 206 was used to convey the patient from Coron Airport to Tanauan Airport in Batangas,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated.

Following such successful transport, Janairo emphasized the role of air medical response as a vital part in the delivery of health care because it offers the most important component in saving a patient’s life—time.

“Its capability as a primary transport in bringing a patient directly from the scene of the traumatic event to a hospital reduces the risk of mortality among critical patients,” he emphasized.

As Janairo further stressed, air transport is an essential part in emergency health care, especially in settings where access to a patient is restricted such as those who reside in the mountain, island barangays, and other areas where ground evacuation is inaccessible.

Marikina City is the first local government unit that expressed interest in the importance of the program and provided accommodation to two landing areas for the air ambulance, particularly for the R44 Helicopter through a Memorandum of Agreement between DOH-MIMAROPA and the city.

“We will also be coordinating with the city’s Rescue 161 to assist us in the transfer of patients to hospitals. Improvements will be made in the delivery of emergency care as we make headway, such as reducing delays in the transport of patients. We are hoping to have more landing clearances and access to areas with helipads and airports to avoid delay brought about by traffic congestions near health facilities in Metro Manila for a more rapid response in transferring patients,” Janairo concluded.

Defense Sec. Lorenzana visits WesCom for 41st anniv celebration

By Aira Genesa Magdayao

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana served as guest of honor and speaker in a ceremony held by the Western Command on Friday, March 17 in commemoration of the latter’s 41st Founding Anniversary. The program particularly celebrated the group’s success in conducting air, land and naval operations, as headed by LtGen Raul L Del Rosario.

In his speech, the Defense Secretary emphasized his full support to WesCom’s activities in Palawan, including the controversial Pagasa Islands, to maintain peace and order. He also encouraged the troops to support the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the national government, as led by the PNP and PDEA.

“Ako’y naniniwala sa inyong kakayahan at pagiging alerto sa pasulong ng kapayapaan dito sa Palawan lalo na sa ating mithiin sa West Philippine Sea pati na din sa anti-illegal drugs campaign na isinusulong ng ating Pangulo kahit pinangungunahan ito ng PNP at PDEA. We are also mandated to support this campaign,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana also announced some of the newest plans of the Department of National Defense (DND), including a program to recruit members of the Indigenous People (IP) groups in the country into the mainstream branch of services of the DND. According to the Secretary, they plan for the IPs to constitute around 5% of their workforce.

“Yung sa ating mga IP’s kukuha tayo sa kanila para maisama sa ating mainstream…hindi naman tayo mahigpit sa mga requirements sa kanila. Kahit high school graduate lang basta may sapat na kaalaman o kung hindi maabot ang height requirement ay magwa-waiver naman tayo para sa kanila para maramdaman nila na parte sila ng lipunan at mahalaga sila,” Lorenzana explained.

Still part of the anniversary celebrations, WesCom also held a formal recognition ceremony for commendable employees and stakeholders. The new WesCom Headquarters building was also inaugurated on the said day.

WesCom Commander LtGen Del Rosario expressed his gratitude to all officials, enlisted personnel, civilian employees and everyone who fully supported the command.

“For 41 years, WesCom has always been on its dynamic obligation for serving the community with unselfish services. Serving the Palaweños has been a real honor and we, Western Command, are very grateful that we are all committed with heart to provide excellent service in protecting and securing the territory and people with the help and guide of our almighty,” said LtGen Del Rosario.

Pinay boxer in Pacquiao fight undercard

By JOSEF T. RAMOS (TMT)

A Filipina boxer will see action in Senator Manny Pacquiao’s next fight as one of the eight-division champion’s undercards.

Gretchen Abaniel, the reigning Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) champion, was promised by Pacquiao to be one of his undercards in his coming fight in June or July.

And the 31-year old boxer from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan hopes to get a fight with World Boxing Organization (WBO) women’s straw weight titleholder Nao Ike­yama of Japan for a unification fight.

While the camp of Pacquiao is still searching for his opponent, Abaniel is keen on arranging the title duel with the 47-year old Japanese fighter.

“I really want to challenge the WBO straw weight champion Nao Ikeyama of Japan and I already started my training here in Sydney, Australia last week,” Abaniel (17-8 win-loss record with six knockouts) told The Manila Times in a phone interview on Friday.

Abaniel is also the titleholder in the Women International Boxing Federation and Global Boxing Union Female world minimum weight class.

During her visit with Pacquiao, she was asked if she’s fit enough to have a fight in June or July and Abaniel nodded.

“He (Pacquiao) assured me that I’d be included in his fight card. I’m just going to wait for the contract,” said Abaniel. “I’m very thankful to Manny because it is really an honor to fight in his card. It’s a dream come true for me.”

Abaniel won her last two fights against Turkish Oezlem Sahin via split decision last November 7, 2015 in Germany and Thai Saowaluk Nareepangsri via unanimous decision last July 2 in Australia.

The WBO champion Ikeyama won seven of his last eight fights including a technical knockout win against fellow Japanese Ayaka Miyao last December 13 in Japan.

Ikeyama holds 18-3-2 win-loss-draw record with five knockouts.

DOH-MIMAROPA launches Air Ambulance to serve 24/7

(PNA), RMA/DOH-MIMAROPA-PR/LSJ/RSM

MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Health – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) on Wednesday formally launched its air ambulance to provide transport of patients from the scene of emergency to the nearest healthcare facility.

“This is the most effective and quickest response in saving a patient’s life, especially those who reside in remote and hard to reach areas. Critical patients and emergency cases needing immediate care can be transported right away to the nearest health facility without difficulty”, DOH MIMAROPA Director Eduardo C. Janairo said during the launching ceremony held at the Puerto Princesa City Airport in Palawan.

Janairo said that since most of the places in MIMAROPA were not accessible via regular ambulance services due to its geographically situated island provinces.

Some of these areas are remotely located and can’t be reached quickly by health workers, medical personnel and regular ambulance services.

Given those situations, he said that sometimes to increase the survival rate or deliver the immediate medical attention, patients should undergo air transport through the "air ambulance".

The air ambulance will be provided by the Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services, Inc. (PAMAS) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DOH-MIMAROPA with the objective of transporting patients by air from an area with limited medical facility to an area where more adequate medical care is available.

It is equipped with first aid medical equipment and manned by a paramedic to provide immediate care.

PAMAS is a faith-based, volunteer-driven organization that spreads the Gospel to the Philippines through the use of an aviation and medical ministry. PAMAS is a non-stock, non-profit, SEC registered Corporation in the Philippines.

Two aircrafts will serve as air ambulance to cater patients namely, a Cessna 206 (six-seater) and a Robinson R44 Helicopter (4 seater).

“It can accommodate non-ambulatory and ambulatory patients. “If needed, transport of patients from MIMAROPA provinces will be transported to DOH tertiary hospitals in Metro Manila which will take approximately 1 ½ hour or less. The air ambulance service will cater to indigent patients and indigenous communities” he added.

He added that one of the advantage of an air transport is it can provide a higher level of care from the scene of trauma to community hospitals.

There will be Off-site Landing Zones (LZ) in every province designated for emergency medical evacuation for identified hospitals. Ground ambulance transfer to and from the LZ from the originating hospital to the destination tertiary hospitals will be duly coordinated as well.

A 24/7 emergency unit will be established in every DOH provincial office.

For Palawan, emergency numbers that can be contacted are (0998) 5492585 for Smart and (0917) 533-1651 for Globe.

“Slowly and surely we will be providing the essential and necessary equipment and medical services to the heart of the Philippines – that is MIMAROPA. These are the health needs of the people and we will not fail the more than three million citizens who are constantly anticipating for progress and development in their health care delivery system.” Janairo concluded.

Brunei businessmen eye port projects in Palawan

By Chinee Palatino (ABS-CBN News)

PALAWAN - A group of businessmen from Brunei Darussalam visited Palawan to assess possible investments in the province.

They met with provincial government officials and expressed their desire to help beef up the tourism and agricultural industry in the province.

The investors are looking at port construction projects in Palawan. The Provincial Planning and Development Office, on the other hand, specified the strategic places in Palawan where it is possible to build a port.

Fisherfolk were also taken into consideration in the proposed location of port construction.

The provincial government said it sees the potential of trade with other member-countries of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) through the ports.

The provincial government envisions a strengthened interconnectivity with the rest of the member-countries of BIMP-EAGA through the opening of ports in the province.

The project proposal is expected to boost the local economy and bring in more tourists in the province. A cruise port is also eyed for construction in northern Palawan.

Boracay, Palawan voted best islands in the world by Condé Nast readers

Aya Tantiangco (AT/ALG, GMA News)

The votes are in and survey says it's more beautiful in the Philippines.

Condé Nast Traveler on Saturday released a video to show the 15 most-loved islands by their readers and the list is topped by Palawan and Boracay.

Palawan, which received the Readers' Choice Award in 2015 and 2014, came in second to Boracay this year. The white-sand beaches reigns supreme!

There's one more entry from the Philippines: Not far down the list, in 5th place, is Cebu.

The official list, published in 2016, praised Boracay's "gentle coastlines and transporting sunsets" as well as its "thriving nightlife."

Meanwhile, Condé Nast advised the travelers to visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River to their itinerary.

Despite being densely populated, Cebu was praised for its "personal" feel and further pointed visitors to Camotes Islands for a "true taste of island life."

The Top 15 this year are, in descending order: Boracay, Palawan, Mallorca (Spain), Great Barrier Reef (Australia), Cebu, Vancouver Islands (Canada), Turks and Caicos, Bermuda, Crete (Greece), Bali (Indonesia), Mykonos (Greece), St. Barts, Cayman Islands, Sardinia (Italy), and Tahiti.

DENR, USAID launch anti-poaching project in Palawan

By Cherry Camacho (ABS-CBN News)

PALAWAN — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and a US-funded aid organization has launched a project that aims to protect areas in Palawan, Zamboanga City, and Tawi-Tawi from harmful illegal wildlife activities.

The DENR partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is for Protect Wildlife Project, which will be pilot-tested in the 3 provinces.

According to Fernando Tactay, provincial environment and natural resources officer in Palawan, the project aims to reduce illegal activities such as poaching and wildlife trade.

This year, the Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape in southern Palawan has been the focus of the project.

The DENR will deploy personnel to secure and monitor the protected area. They also started to conduct an information campaign regarding the importance of wildlife protection.

Aside from preventing illegal activities, the collaboration aims to strengthen natural and environmental resource management in the country, and highlight the importance of biodiversity.

Taking care of natural resources will allow the country to develop ecotourism zones that can help people in communities and lift them out of poverty, the DENR said.

Palawan 47% rabies-free as it kicks off ‘Rabies Awareness Month’

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

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- The Palawan Provincial Veterinary Office (ProVet) made known Thursday morning that 47 percent of the whole province is now rabies-free as it led the commemoration of March as “Rabies Awareness Month.”

Dr. Darius Mangcucang of ProVet said the percentage rate represents 11 island towns that have already been declared rabies-free in Palawan for having regular eradication program activities, consistent vaccination schedule of pets and other domesticated animals, and for not having any record of bites for three years.

These island towns are Coron, Culion, Linapacan, Busuanga, Balabac, Agutaya, Cuyo, Magsaysay, Cagayancillo, Araceli, and Kalayaan.

Although the accomplishment is still far from the target to declare Palawan as rabies-free on or before 2020, Mangcucang claimed the province remains to be the only area in the Philippines to have declared many municipalities as “rabies-free zones.”

“All our island municipalities are now rabies-free,” said Eileen Macabihag of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), in support of ProVet.

However, she added that none of the towns on the mainland can be declared the same as they are linked to Puerto Princesa, which is considered to be highly contaminated.

“This link (to Puerto Princesa) renders it hard for us to declare any town on the mainland rabies-free because it is the entry and exit points, and there might be spill over; it is very difficult,” Macabihag said, supplying in addition that before any area is declared rabies-free zone, there should be no death by human or animal.

The town of Narra in southern Palawan is recorded to have had death cases due to rabies, according to Macabihag. The last death due to rabies was recorded in 2011.

“On the mainland, Narra is the only town that has registered mortality due to rabies,” she stated.

Mangcucang added too, that currently, Narra is under their monitoring for the presence of the viral disease.

“We suspect that there is rabies in Narra because of animal movement from Puerto Princesa. This is something we cannot control – animals traveling and they carry the viral disease,” he said.

Mangcucang said the declaration of a rabies-free Palawan depends a lot on the help of volunteers from local government units (LGUs) to manage vaccinations, and responsible pet ownership.

“We can make the province rabies-free with the support of the LGUs since ProVet has limited employees to implement the task,” he said, adding that this is despite the training they are giving to 250 volunteer barangay veterinary aides (BVA) that are helping in their mass vaccination activities.

Macabihag reminded that each municipality is mandated to have rabies eradication plans that have activities that should be enforced for a rabies-free Palawan in 2020.

In Palawan, the Provet estimated that there are about 68,000 pet dogs, and many first class municipalities are susceptible to the viral disease.

Narra and Sofronio Espanola town in southern Palawan are the municipalities that have recently registered the highest number of bites although the ProVet cannot give any specific detail as to how many there have been in their record.

Being a tourist-frequented province in the country, it is important that Palawan is rabies-free, according to ProVet.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015, “rabies remains an under-reported and neglected zoonosis with a case fatality rate of almost 100 percent in humans and animals.”

It furthered that “Dog–mediated human rabies causes tens of thousands of human deaths annually despite being 100 percent preventable. Over 95 percent of human cases are caused by the bite of a rabies–infected dog and disproportionately affect rural communities, particularly children, from economically disadvantaged areas of Africa and Asia, where awareness of the disease and access to appropriate post–exposure prophylaxis is limited or non–existent.”

ProVet is commemorating March as Rabies Awareness Month under the theme "Rabies ay Iwasan, Alaga ay Pa-bakunahan."

Regional tourism website launched in Palawan

By Catherine Santos

As a means to boost tourism in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- and Department of Tourism (DOT)-MIMAROPA Region have recently launched in Palawan their e-Tourism website called ‘Visit Mimaropa’ (www.visitmimaropa.ph), in a ceremony witnessed by the MIMAROPA Regional Development Council (RDC) led by Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez as Chairman.

The said tourism website was officially created following an agreement between the two agencies, as formally signed by DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director Dr. Ma. Josefina Abilay and DOT-MIMAROPA Regional Director Danilo Intong.

In his message, Alvarez said launching the website will boost tourism not only in Palawan but in other provinces in the region. Palawan’s chief exec said such increase in tourism activity will help in increasing local government earnings.

The said program was held as part of the 58th full meeting of the Council.

RDC MIMAROPA endorses Php123B investment programs for 2018

(VSM/PIA-Mimaropa)

QUEZON CITY, 7 March (PIA) - Approximately Php123 billion of investments is expected to fuel government programs, building up the regional economy and laying the groundworks for Ambisyon Natin 2040 and President Rodrigo Duterte’s 0+10 Agenda in MIMAROPA.

This is one of the major outputs of the recent Full Council Meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) -MIMAROPA as the council approved and endorsed the 2018 Agency Investment Programs of the development administration, economic, social and infrastructure committees.

The 2018 Investment Program also includes provision for the establishment of regional offices to be located in Calapan City, the designated regional government center as mandated by Republic Act 10879 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Also, the program includes Php23.7B proposed tourism road and soft infrastructure projects; Php750M improvement/upgrading of major airports in San Jose and Busuanga; Php106.9M sitio electrification program; and, the Php75M construction of TESDA Regional Training Center.

Palawan Governor Jose Ch. Alvarez and RDC Chair presided over the 1st quarter meeting held at the Provincial Capitol in Puerto Princesa City and attended by members and representatives of regional line agencies and local government units. Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr., Occidental Mindoro Gene Mendiola, and Romblon Governor Lolong Firmalo led the local government officials who participated in the quarterly meeting.

The RDC reviews and endorses to the national government the annual budgets of agency regional offices, state universities and colleges and other special development authorities.

PH diving spots showcased in Italy

By Jerome Aning (Reporter, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Hoping to attract more European divers, the Department of Tourism (DOT) promoted the Philippines’ world-renowned diving spots at the European Dive Show (Eudi 2017) in Bologna, Italy, over the weekend.

DOT Undersecretary Katherine Chloe de Castro, head of the delegation, said the Philippines’ presence at Eudi 2017 also intended to establish partnerships with tourism bodies, underwater photography clubs and dive tour operators of Europe.

According to the DOT, Italy alone boasts of 350,000 active divers, and the Philippines hopes to lure them to visit the country’s diving spots. “On top of being at the heart of the Coral Triangle, we boast of a veritable smorgasbord of sites that appeal to the different preferences of the amateur and professional divers. More importantly, our ‘More Fun’ brand will work to amplify our must-experience proposition,” De Castro said in a statement.

Biodiversity

During the three-day show, presentations highlighting the biodiversity of the Philippine depths were led by world-renowned underwater photographers Marcello di Francesco, Pietro Cremone and Erik Karl Goossens.

According to the DOT, many visitors were drawn to the Philippine booth to experience the Underwater 360 interactive tours through virtual reality technology. Participating dive tour operators also received interesting queries for the exciting dive packages for sale at the venue.

Eudi organizers hoped to exceed the 2016 record of 220 top-level exhibitors representing leading brands of dive products and services, dive clubs, tourism and marine conservation organizations, and over 39,000 participants just from Europe.

Visitors from Italy registered 25,945 in 2016, up by 20 percent from the previous year. The DOT hopes to tap into the dive population, which has about 40 percent or 120,000 divers regularly traveling outbound.

With the growing air connectivity between continents, eyes are set on novel, long-haul and emerging dive destinations such as the Philippines, the tourism department said.

The Philippine delegation included officials of the National Association of Diving Operators of Italy and Diving Equipment Association of Italy; and Team Dive Philippines consisting of Gerry Panga of DOT London, Rita Doctor and Gary Politico of DOT Central, representatives of Buceo Anilao, Asia Holidays and H20 Viaggi.

The United Kingdom’s Scuba Travel site says the best time to dive in the Philippines is probably between December and April. During the monsoon season from June to September dive, spots open in places that are not so accessible for diving in the drier months.

Best dive spots

The Islands of the Philippines website names the 10 best dive spots in the Philippines as follows: Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental; Monad Shoal in Malapascua, Cebu; Anilao in Batangas; the World War II wrecks in Coron Bay, Palawan; Barracuda Lake in Coron Island, also in Palawan; Ticao Pass in Masbate; Puerto Galera in Mindoro; the Tubbataha Reef National Park in Sulu Sea; Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Blue Hole in Romblon.

MVP eyes new talks with CNOOC over Reed Bank joint exploration

By Victor V. Saulon (Sub-Editor)

PXP Energy Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan is hoping to resume discussions between its subsidiary and China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) over the possible joint exploration of an area in West Philippine Sea for its potential natural gas reserves.

“To the extent that the go-vernment has adopted a more friendly, more conciliatory approach to China, I think the atmosphere has become better for a resumption of discussion with CNOOC or with China in general,” Mr. Pangilinan told reporters.

“We’d like to move in that direction,” he said, referring to the next step for Forum Energy Ltd., a 67.19% directly and indirectly owned subsidiary of PXP Energy.

Mr. Pangilinan admitted his group initiated steps to move the project forward, saying “some feelers [were] sent to them if they’re willing to talk.”

“The overall atmosphere created by President [Rodrigo R.] Duterte is more conciliatory, more investor-friendly. I think it will help future discussions, or will help resume hopefully discussions with CNOOC,” he said.

Mr. Pangilinan said the company’s foreign counterpart was also willing to talk.

“That’s the view of China as well,” he said. “But we cannot operate in a vacuum. We are just contractors to the government. The resources of SC [service contract] 72 belongs to the government.”

Forum Energy has been awaiting guidance from the government on the future activity in SC 72, which is covered by the decision handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in the Netherlands on July 12, 2016.

The court ruled that Reed Bank -- or Recto Bank, as it is called locally -- where SC 72 lies, is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as defined under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Should Forum Energy and CNOOC “arrive at a business arrangement,” Mr. Pangilinan said it has to be within the context of Philippine and Chinese laws.

“We as a Philippine entity cannot violate our laws nor certainly matters of sovereignty. We cannot do that. So we have to stay within Philippines laws, within sovereignty. That’s a tricky bit,” he said.

Asked whether the discussion will be premised on the area belonging to the Philippines, he said: “From our perspective, yes. It’s got to be within Philippine laws, within Philippine sovereignty. As a Philippine company, yes, definitely. We don’t want to violate any Philippine [laws].”

On March 2, 2015, the Department of Energy (DoE) placed SC 72 under force majeure because the contract area falls within the disputed area of the West Philippine Sea, which was the subject of the arbitration process.

Under the terms of the force majeure, exploration work at SC 72 is suspended from Dec. 15, 2014 until the DoE notifies Forum Energy that it may continue drilling.

SC 72 is located offshore west Palawan and covers 8,800 square kilometers and contains the Sampaguita gas discovery.

“We have already told them that [we are ready]. It’s up to them to release the moratorium. If they do, then we have to advise the Chinese that we’re gonna do this. This is our program approved by our government just to let you know,” Mr. Pangilinan said.

“But we have to determine whether there is gas there in SC 72 because Malampaya will run out in the next 10 years. In a way you have to synchronize the period under which Malampaya will start to run versus the time -- and I have no idea how long it will take to develop -- if indeed the reserves [in the area are] of commercial quantity, commercial feasibility,” he added.

LOWER LOSSES

Meanwhile, PXP Energy reported an audited consolidated net loss of P22.4 million for 2016, or nearly four times lower that the previous year’s P87.5 million losses attributed to holders of the parent company.

Including extraordinary items, the reported net loss reached P36.4 million, down from P144 million in 2015.

“The lower net loss was primarily attributable to a 75.7% reduction in overhead resulting from management’s continuing cost reduction efforts and a recovery in impairment loss, net of lower petroleum revenues contributed by its subsidiary, [Forum Energy], arising from the decline in oil output and lower oil prices,” PXP Energy said in a disclosure on Tuesday.

First Pacific Co. Ltd., which owns more than a quarter of PLDT, Inc., is the single biggest shareholder of PXP Energy’s parent, Philex Mining Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

Around Palawan in 60 days–in kayaks

By Redempto D. Anda (Correspondent, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Puerto Princesa City— They battled swells approaching from 5 meters, winds of up to 35 kilometers per hour and off-season heavy rains limiting visibility to no more than an arm’s length.

Conditions were at times so extreme that they once wrestled with their kayaks for 45 minutes to move forward by only 200 meters, often being pushed back by gales. It was during these rough times that the two friends had to work together the most to pull through.

Overcoming their ordeal, Ross Murray-Jones and Mark Coronato, both British nationals, set a world record of sorts last week as the first to circumnavigate Palawan, the country’s longest island province, on hand-paddled sea kayaks, covering some 1,300 kilometers of calm and stormy seas in two months.

The duo, both professionals and triathletes from London, began their journey in early December from Coron Island in northern Palawan.

They crossed the Calamian Channel to explore the tourist town of El Nido in the northern mainland, navigating through dangerous waters off Balabac in the southernmost tip, and finally ending a grueling marathon hampered by monsoon gales and two strong typhoons on Feb. 15 in the small beach resort of Floresitas, in the fishing community of Sibaltan in El Nido.

Jones and Coronato were emphatic in underscoring the natural beauty of Palawan as seen from their kayaks. “The best way to see this island is by sea. We found the beauty of Palawan just wonderful and it does feel less touristy than some other parts of the country—the scenery is just unparalleled,” Jones said.

“Our encounters with dolphins, dugongs, reef sharks, dozens of sea turtles and leaping mobula rays made the days interesting,” Coronato said.

The two said they were impressed that many parts of the province had remained pristine and largely unexploited by mass tourism.

Meeting the locals

Jones and Coronato had planned and embarked on their journey as a private expedition.

Though they are enthusiastic triathletes, they are not experienced kayakers. “We wanted a challenge where we didn’t have to rely on anyone else, so sea kayaking was our decision,” Jones said.

They had to learn the skills from the South East Kayaking in England before coming to the country for the first time. Jones said it was Singaporean kayaker and world-record holder Khoo Swee Chiow who encouraged them to take on Palawan.

Their journey stirred local frenzy, with every successful leg celebrated with communities and local hosts they befriended along the way, including provincial officials who volunteered to assist them.

Stranded

“The single biggest highlight of this entire trip was the people we encountered,” Coronato told the Inquirer. “The support and hospitality that we received along the way have been truly amazing.”

During their first stop in Sibaltan, an obscure fishing village far from the main tourist routes on the other side of El Nido, Jones and Coronato were stranded for nearly a week because of heavy monsoon winds.

Their host resort, Floresitas, threw a red carpet welcome and organized a surprise 30th birthday party for Coronato.

“They blew us away—crabs, homemade cocktails, food for everyone and an incredible birthday cake,” Coronato said.

“They even arranged for some of the village children to come by and sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ I was speechless,” he said.

Dangerous waters

They sought advice from the provincial government before they set out for the final leg of their journey through the dangerous waters of southern Palawan. The area was the site of recent kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf bandit group.

Gov. Jose Alvarez instructed his staff to arrange a security team to escort them and ensure that they rounded safely the southern tip, particularly the most treacherous 220-km stretch between Brooke’s Point and Quezon town.

Jones and Coronato were accompanied by five men from the provincial government’s Rescue 165 team, a local emergency response group, and four Marines soldiers on two speedboats.

Personnel of the military’s Western Command were monitoring the pair’s progress.

“We want to promote every aspect of the unique landscape and amazing biodiversity of Palawan and I salute the tenacity of these two British explorers as they enter the record books, becoming the first kayakers to circumnavigate the world’s best island,” Alvarez said.

Midway through the journey, Jones posted on his Facebook page a query on where he could have his damaged spearfishing gear repaired.

“David, an expat, volunteered to bring me to the Badjaos (a fishing community in the coastal fringes of Puerto Princesa City). We went there one evening and they served us food, fixed my spear gun and never asked for anything in return. Coming from London, this was phenomenal,” Jones said.

Unexplored parts

Jones and Coronato said the islands of Linapacan in the Calamianes and parts of Balabac were among the unexplored and unexploited parts of Palawan.

“When we got there, it was so majestic. Linapacan’s reef was well maintained. It seems crazy to me that you’ve got so many tourists going to El Nido and Coron and you have this beautiful island that no one is [exploring]. It’s only a matter of time until people connect the dots and discover this place,” Jones said.

According to Alvarez, the marine attractions of Balabac may be more exciting than El Nido, if these are properly developed.

He said the provincial government had begun upgrading the road network around the southern tip.

“The congeniality of the Filipino people can be seen as an example of human kindness at its best, and Palawan should be on top of any traveler’s bucket list,” Jones said.

Palawan's first and only BPO mounts career expo for jobseekers

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), JMC/CARF/EDS]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, March 2 (PNA) -- Mayor Luis Marcaida III raved about Sitel, one the world's leading outsourcing providers of customer experience management, as it sponsored in this city Thursday morning the launching of the first-ever career expo dubbed “JobSpot Connect to the Future.”

"Sitel is the door opener for this kind of (business process outsourcing or BPO) industry… this kind of investment in the City of Puerto Princesa. They’ve been the prime mover, they’ve been our eye-opener us that the talents and the skills of Puerto Princesans can compete with those in other places in the Philippines," Marcaida said, adding he is proud that Sitel is now employing 500 residents in this city.

"Sitel has high standards, and I’m proud that students, as well as many jobseekers, are participating in this career expo; I am proud that 500 employees have been hired. I am proud of this because I know Sitel has high standards and many have qualified," he said.

The whole day career expo highlights the journey from traditional to new and emerging opportunities. It was done by Sitel as it joins Puerto Princesa in the celebration of its 145th founding anniversary on March 4.

Together with more than 20 top employers from different industries, the jobs fair is a venue for jobseekers to meet potential employers, be interviewed, assessed and potentially get hired immediately.

In addition, Sitel also organized Career Readiness Seminars throughout the day with respected and reputable speakers for the industry and the media.

“We are honored to be part of the Puerto Princesa foundation week celebration. The city has been very supportive of Sitel since we opened our customer experience center in 2016,” according to Craig Reines, Sitel Philippines Chief Operating Officer.

Haidee Enriquez, Sitel Philippines Vice President of Operations added, “The government and academe’s support made it possible for us to hire close to 500 associates in just seven months. We conceived this huge career expo to open up more job opportunities for Palawenos – in the BPO space and in other industries as well.”

Enriquez is a proud local, and a member of the Cuyunon indigenous peoples (IPs) of Palawan.

The jobs fair will have well-known career development gurus, digital technology and next generation recruitment platforms.

Sitel is going to offer too, interested jobseekers the opportunity to visit and tour its contact center facilities in the city, which features best in-class design and innovative interiors.

It boasts a world-class career center, the latest workspace technology and design, a full-service cafeteria, lounge area and other one-of-a-kind amenities.

Just like other new Sitel centers, the Puerto Princesa facility has large, open spaces featuring private work areas, chill-out pods, and huddle rooms where associates can meet, share ideas, and brainstorm.

Sitel has enjoyed steady growth in the Philippines for 17 years now, since it first set up shop in the country in 2000.

The Philippines' business-friendly climate and its pool of highly skilled talent with a strong customer orientation have enabled Sitel to grow and expand at a steady clip.

Bohol, Palawan ink ecotourism, development exchange program

By Charles R. Pepito

THE provinces of Bohol and Palawan are sharing best practices through a partnership to advance ecotourism and development in the two prime Philippine destinations.

Bohol Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Palawan Gov. Jose C. Alvarez formalized the partnership dubbed the Bohol-Palawan/Puerto Princesa Tourism and Environmental Programs and Development Policy Exchange, with the linkage slogan “We grow together”.

Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II and Puerto Princesa City Mayor Luisito Bayron, at the same time, forged a city sisterhood.

The United States Agency for International Development-Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (USAID-SURGE) facilitated the exchange program.

The program strengthens sustainable tourism and policies on environmental preservation amid the growth and development of the partner-provinces and -cities.

Nature conservation in Palawan is considered a Philippine benchmark that can enrich and enhance Bohol’s own innovations and practices for sustainable, enduring ecotourism.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) -Bohol Chapter is also a party to the partnership.

Chatto said policy-development exchange is essential because the partnership engages local government units (LGUs).

Bohol and Palawan also have these in common: Both have island towns, three congressional districts and one city, which is also the provincial capital. “We share and develop policies during the exchange and policy-development exchange has positive long-term implications that will make the program more substantial,” Chatto said.

Host officials themselves took turns in sharing best practices not just on tourism and environment, but also on agriculture, culture and arts.

The continuing pursuit of sustainable development and excellent governance, through the exchange program, has tied Bohol and Palawan.

A guided tour, coordinated by the provincial and city tourism officers, brought the Bohol group to the different known Palawan program sites and environs.

A fitting “prelude” to the formalizing of the partnership with Palawan, the Bohol tagline “Behold Bohol” was officially launched in Metro Manila.

The catchphrase is Bohol’s newest branding as a premier tourist destination in the country with the support of provincial government’s partners AirAsia Philippines, Department of Tourism (DOT) and USAID.

Through its Compete Project, USAID assisted in Bohol’s rehabilitation from the great earthquake, particularly in the formulation of the tourism recovery master plan.

The governor himself led the Bohol stakeholders in attending the launch, which gathered the officials of AirAsia, the DOT and USAID.

Also gracing the event, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director General Ernesto M. Pernia said an earlier Panglao airport completion, which he believed is doable, is much better for Bohol.

DOT Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez said she was “amazed by the progressive increase” in the number of Bohol tourists despite the merciless earthquake’s impact. She said Bohol, as one of the Philippine destination icons, has simply been validated, again.

The launch was also attended by Rep. Rene L. Relampagos of the First District of Bohol, former House tourism committee chairman; Rep. Arthur C. Yap of the Third District of Bohol, House economic enterprise committee chairman; and Ebb Hinchliffe, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Organized Boholanos in Metro Manila joined in the affair, which further had Provincial Tourism Council Chairman lawyer Lucas Nunag Jr. and Bohol Tourism Office people, plus travel agents and the national media.

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Palawan_News_March_2017&oldid=1000668"