Difference between revisions of "Catanduanes Province, Philippines"

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==[[Catanduanes News]]==
==[[Catanduanes News]]==
'''Summer trade fair yields P1.6M in gross sales'''
'''Weather radar seen as tourist attraction'''
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=841335154317
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/181985/weather-radar-seen-as-tourist-attraction
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*By: Rey M. Nasol
*''April 23, 2012''
*''April 24, 2012''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- The 2012 Summer Barakalan sa Plaza Rizal generated the highest gross sales in the history of the event reaching a total of P1.6 million.
BATO, Catanduanes—Officials are seeing a use for the eight-story Doppler radar building here other than to monitor the skies for bad weather.


The annual event which started last 2010 was held at Virac Plaza Rizal from April 2 to 13 in time for the Holy Week vacationers and tourists, proved to be very profitable for the 52 participating companies.
The structure itself, they said, could be a tourist attraction.


Local manufacturers/ producers of food, handicraft, and other merchandise provided guests to the trade fair with a variety of products seldom found all in one place.
Scientists, tourism and local government officials and members of a nongovernment organization said the facility could become a tourist attraction.


A local tour operator, Venz Bay Travel and Tours offered a “Visita Iglesia” guided tour package as one of the special features of the event. TESDA for its part took charge of technology demonstrations on hot and cold cooking while its accredited clients provided beauty care and wellness services.
President Benigno Aquino III will open the new building on May 7. It was earlier planned to be inaugurated on April 4 and 27.


The trade fair will become an annual event as pronounced by Mayor Cito Alberto during the opening program on April 2 the Virac LGU being the major partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Catanduanes Producers Association in this undertaking.
The Doppler radar, which sits on top of a hill in Barangay Buenavista, has been acquired through a P1.2-billion grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.


During the closing program on April 13, special awards were presented. Marclo Enterprise (non-food category), Belen’s Pinahamis na Pili, Atbp (food category) won in the Most Innovative Product and in the Best Dressed Booth contest.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who also chairs the Regional Development Council, said the facility could enhance tourist awareness on climate change.


Consolation prizes for Best Dressed Booth were also awarded to: Aydz food Products, Nelia’s Food Products, Fiberart Handicraft Enterprise, and to Pandan Women Weavers Association.
Maria Ravanilla, the tourism regional director, said there are other reasons for making the station a tourism site. Bato is adjacent to the town of Baras, which is now recognized as one of the world’s favorite surfing sites, she said.


Cash awards totalled to P12,000 which was fully sponsored by LGU Virac.
“Visitors might also opt to drop by the Doppler radar to see for themselves how it looks like from the inside out and its functions and also to talk to scientists for additional information,” Ravanilla said.
 
With better, if not the best, weather-monitoring facilities now installed in the radar facility, tourists will be well-informed when and where rains would fall, she added.
 
Ravanilla said with ample lead time, tour organizers could plan activities based on the weather.
 
Community adaptation practitioners led by the Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development, which is headed by Manuel Rangasa, urged the Department of Tourism to adopt a range of policies that encourages a “truly progressive and sustainable” culture and tourism-related programs.
 
Dr. Landrico Dalida, the regional head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the agency was not considering plans to solicit donations or collect entrance fees from people who would want to tour the radar site.
 
Pagasa only wants visitors “to see for themselves and appreciate the potential of these equipment in saving lives,” Dalida said.
 
Eufronio Garcia, the chief meteorological officer of Catanduanes, said two other Doppler radars are being built in Samar and in Aparri, Cagayan.
 
Dalida said Pagasa wants to saturate the entire country with Doppler radars.
 
The radars could cover a radius of 420 kilometers, enough to produce images of weather disturbances far out in the Pacific Ocean and the western seas, he said. Dalida said radars are usually placed in coastal areas.


==Catanduanes Zip Codes==
==Catanduanes Zip Codes==
43,102

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