Iloilo City eyes P60B investments, P3B infrastructures until 2013

Aerial View of Iloilo River @ Gaisano Area

By Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO CITY – This highly urbanized city in the Visayas is eyeing an ambitious but doable P60 billion in investments and P3 billion in infrastructures for three years or until 2013.

This was announced by city mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog during the orientation seminar on the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) led by the Board of Investments (BOI) and the Department of Trade and Industry regional office in Western Visayas.

Mabilog said the investments of the private had already started coming in since 2010 by citing the entry of Megaworld Corp. and Ayalaland Corp. and other business locators such as call centers.

Road infrastructures, electric power and water supply and other amenities are already being addressed and waiting for business to come in, the city mayor said.

“Iloilo City is open for business and the city alone is considered as the most progressive area outside of Metro Manila for investments as an important next wave city,” Mabilog said.

“Manila, Cebu and Davao are already congested and saturated. We are here to offer business opportunities and together, we work to make our country grow and develop,” the city mayor added.

On the other hand, Mabilog also assured BOI Governor Pelagio Tan Ricalde an office space for BOI at the new cityhall upon completion by the end of this year. BOI offices are located in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

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Iloilo City mayor leads business campaign in Korea, China

Iloilo Capitol Area @ Bonifacio Drive

by Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog here will lead an aggressive business campaign in South Korea and China this month of October 2011 to open the doors of this southern Visayan city to business investments and opportunities.

“We are now open to international markets and positively back on the business trail,” Mabilog said during the Board of Investment (BOI)-led orientation-seminar on the 2011 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) on Friday, September 30 at Sarabia Manor in this city.

Mabilog said his delegation composed of Ilonggo businessmen are leaving for South Korea passing the Incheon International Airport on October 8, 2011 to meet with Korean business leaders and local government counterparts and present business opportunities of Iloilo.

Mabilog said they are also going to discuss the possible direct flight between Iloilo and Incheon to take advantage of positive response of Koreans currently studying and residing in Iloilo City.

The Iloilo delegation is also going to Jeju City in Korea to present Iloilo’s business opportunities to Korea’s business leaders, especially for public-private partnership (PPP) on the P400 million Guimaras-Iloilo ferry terminal (GIFT) project.

Mabilog said he is also eyeing sisterhood and twinning agreements between Iloilo City and the two Korean cities.

On the other hand, Mabilog will also lead a delegation to Yulin, China on October 18, 2011 as official guests of the Chinese sister city. Another city sisterhood agreement will be forged between Iloilo City and Huabei City in China.

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Why Millions of Filipinos Love Mang Inasal

By GeneralHowitzer

Barbecue, BBQ or inasal,no matter how you call this treats, it is a big hit in Mang Inasal in the Philippines...

(Author’s suggestion: For first-time visitors in the Philippines I suggest that you try a dining place which is the Mang Inasal to have a sizeable overview of the country’s culture and tradition especially when it comes to the foods the people here loves to eat. By the way the “Ilonggo” word “inasal” means barbecue)

Tracings its humble roots in the province of Iloilo, Philippines, the home of “Ilonggos”, the Mang Inasal have grown into a well-respected and well-visited dining place in the country. Mang Inasal offers Filipino cuisine whipped up with delectable and flavorful herbs, spices and ingredients that elevated the people’s dining experience to the new heights, that is, coming up with strings of foods that no one can resist.

Mang Inasal parades mouthwatering foods peppered with Filipinos’ novelty, creativity and enormous passion for fine dining like grilling with charcoal, using bamboo sticks as skewers, rice wrapped in banana leaves and marinade which is an amalgam of local herbs and spices. The ambience is also very inviting as it entices the Filipinos to eat with their hands as they feast on a hearty and scrumptious meal like the chicken Inasal. All these factors makes Mang Inasal basks on their success and spur further the Filipinos growing interests on their long lost culture and tradition at least on an excellent cuisine.

Yes, Mang Inasal is home to a 100% Filipino barbecue and the people who had taken a meal here will say with zest and gusto that Mang Inasal is truly “The Original and the Best”.
Mang Inasal Images, Pictures or Photos
The appetizing chicken barbecue...
What's inside Mang Inasal...
The people truly enjoy the foods served to them and shows with this pic...
Here are some reasons why Filipinos love Mang Inasal:

The tender grilled chicken barbecue is so juicy that it leaves wonderful concoctions of flavors in the mouth.

The beef and milkfish (“bangus”) served here are truly irresistible as its sourness can stimulates the nerves.

A myriad of spices such as chicken oil, chicken-soy sauce and vinegar, to name a few, combines perfectly together to satiate your cravings and caprices for a tasty meal.

Mang Inasal serves only the great tasting foods that every Filipinos will surely enjoy and make them feel at home.

And how about the genius concept of having unlimited rice to a flavorsome meal, well this makes eating at Mang Inasal truly interesting, enjoying and satisfying. At Mang Inasal you can have as many servings of rice as you can without worrying about the extra cost. Hehehe, I usually eat three (3) to four (4) servings of rice with my chicken barbecue, and wow, I always have a great feeling every time I’m done with my eating spree.

Mang Inasal doesn’t only make your tongue feel happy and wonderful it also fills your tummy very well. The price of each order here too is not only affordable; the price can be considered as a steal, too. If you feel like you can feast on 3 or more servings of rice… Go ahead!

How about the bottomless Iced tea anyone? Once you are done with your eating frenzy why not try the bottomless iced tea which is a perfect complement to chicken inasal.

Once you are done eating you can also hang around for a while and have a conversation with your companions about anything under the sun while enjoying a very Filipino ambience.

There is a rush of Mang Inasal madness taking shape all over the country and why not the meals served here are tempting and full of flavors. Ah, can’t wait to have another serving of chicken inasal.

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Iloilo prov'l govt prepares for holding of 2 environment-oriented projects

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) - The Iloilo provincial government is now preparing for the holding of back-to-back environment-oriented projects by next month.

On October 1 (Saturday), the province will hold the second phase of the Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) which targets to plant one million trees. The first phase of the project held last June 25 successfully planted over 700,000 trees.

The October 1 tree-planting will be this year’s Pyesta sa Kakahuyan. Though the tree-planting will be province-wide, a ceremonial activity will be held at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) reservation in Sitio Agdalusan, Barangay Hayubo in Lambunao, Iloilo.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor said 10,000 trees will be planted in the area aside from a medical mission to be conducted by provincial doctors and the Philippine Army.

On October 2, the province will launch ART 2 or the Artificial Reefs for Transformation. This project attempts to complete the ridge to reef loop and is envisioned to be implemented in the 22 coastal municipalities of Iloilo.

The launching ceremony will be held at Sitio Lacaran, Barangay Ermita in Dumangas where hundreds of mangrove seedlings will be planted.

The ART 2 project will have as components the coastal resource assessment, coral reef survey, alternative livelihood, policy formulation, enforcement of laws and ordinances and strengthening of coastal alliances.

The governor will convene a meeting with stakeholders and partners starting next week in preparation for the two upcoming activities.

Gov. Defensor is encouraging the entire community to participate in the project which, he said, will benefit the future generation. (PNA)

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Mayor urges participation in coastal clean up

Robinsons

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) – Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog is enjoining every Ilonggo to join the International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday.

“This is one occasion when we can all show our love for the environment, especially our oceans and seas, by ridding them of wastes and thus preserving the natural habitat of marine resources,” he said.

The mayor will be one of the speakers during the program to be held 7 a.m. at the foot of Carpenter’s Bridge in Molo district where the clean-up will start.

Together with the city government, volunteers from various schools, government offices, private groups and villages here will join the activity.

Some 46 kilometers of shoreline in 56 coastal barangays are expected to be covered by the clean-up.

A covenant signing on the protection of the marine resources will also be done during the program.

Signatories will include the city government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, councilor David Jamora, and the presidents or chairpersons of participating groups.

This is already the 9th year that the city is joining the International Coastal Clean-Up Day.

This year’s theme is “Trash-Free Seas.” (PNA)

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MOA signing on three major Iloilo City projects set

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) -- Senator Franklin Drilon is scheduled to lead the signing Friday afternoon of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on three important development projects in Iloilo City with members of the Iloilo River Development Council at the Hotel del Rio.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the first MOA is between the city government and the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 6 on a P40-million development assistance for the upgrading of the city slaughterhouse to become a “Double A” category.

Last week, the city government received Senator Drilon's special allotment release order (SARO) for the upgrading of the city slaughterhouse in Barangay Tacas, Jaro into a modern facility being designed for pigs and cattle with complete waste water treatment plant, vehicles and drainage system.

The second project that will have a MOA signing will be the P150-million esplanade project that will cover 2.5 kilometers from Treñas Boulevard to the Railway Bridge.

The third project will be the P100-million additional support to the present P144-million worth of housing project in 5.6-hectare site in Barangay Lanit, Jaro for displaced riverbank dwellers with the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Mabilog said the construction of the housing units will have an allocation of P100 million, in which 75 percent will come from the NHA and 25 percent equity from the city government, payable in the next 10 years without interest.

On Thursday, Mabilog awarded land certificates to 15 homeless families living “on site” in Barangay South Fundidor, Molo district in this city.

These awardees are part of the 73 families who are the target beneficiaries of the said project covering the city-owned 5,000-square meter land. Each family will have 48 up to 52 square meters.

Each recipient will pay P220 monthly amortization within 10 years. One-time payment will cost P26,400. (PNA)

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Iloilo City to host nat’l river summit

BY JEZZA NEPOMOCENO

ILOILO City – The city government has started preparing for the two-day 1st National River Summit slated either on last week of October or early November.

The summit will summon at least 50 urban centers in the country known for their best practices in river development.

It will be sponsored by Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Rivers of the World Foundation.

According to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s spokesman Jeffrey Celiz, Sen. Franklin Drilon who currently spearheads the campaign to save the Iloilo River is supportive of the summit.

“This summit will help people realize how crucial rivers are. It is also imperative for all of us to understand our social and corporate responsibilities towards our environment,” Celiz said.

Mabilog earlier said that the summit was inspired by the award garnered by the city during the international search for livable communities held in Chicago, USA in November last year.

The Iloilo River Development Project bagged “gold” or excellent citation in the “natural category” of the 2010 International Awards for Liveable Communities (Livcom).
“The Gold Award for our Iloilo River manifests that we, Ilonggos, take good care of our river,” Mabilog said.

The country has a total of 14 river systems intercrossing of different rivers.

Eight of these are in Panay Island and greatly need rehabilitation, conservation and massive watershed development.

In Western Visayas, there are 881 rivers, 27 lakes and 42 lagoons. Iloilo province hosts major river systems – Aganan-Tigum and Jalaur-Suague, among others.

Iloilo City hosts four tributary creeks and two major rivers -- Iloilo River that divides the seven city districts and the Batiano River in Molo-Arevalo area up the municipality of Oton, Iloilo./PN

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Iloilo City posts 9 finalists in 2011 LivCom Awards

by Iloilo City Government on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 2:54pm

Iloilo City doubles its entries to nine environmentally-sustainable initiatives chosen as finalists in The International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) 2011 to be presented at Songpa, Seoul, South Korea on October 27-31.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog is elated with the city’s inclusion of nine entries in the LivCom finals which recognizes global best practices for management of the local environment.

The city posted four finalists in last year’s LivCom awards in Chicago, USA.

The chief executive and other city officials are expected to attend the final presentation of entries before the judging panel scrutinizing 50 sustainable projects and 18 Bursary Awards applications from 60 towns and cities around the world.

Iloilo City has made it to the Whole City’s Category E for communities with a population of over 400,000, where it won a bronze award last year.

A Post Livcom: Advancing the Iloilo River Development Initiatives through Integrated Sustainable Management and 2011 Dinagyang Festival are finalists in the Project Award.

Last year, the Iloilo River Development Project won a gold award in the same category.

The best practices on Livelihood Enhancement Project for Sidewalk Vendors in Heritage Area; Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives in Iloilo City, Pilot Integrated Coastal Environment Sanitation Project; Tuberculosis Social Mobilization: Iloilo City Experience; Composting: Alternative Livelihood for Wastepickers and Bamboo Reforestation in Maasin Watershed are finalists in the Bursary Award wherein the winner will receive a funding of £10,000.

Last year, the Wastepickers Livelihood Training Program, Community-based Water and Sanitation System and Community-based Disaster Preparedness Planning were finalists in the same category.

The finalists will be evaluated according to criteria such as enhancement of natural and built landscape; arts, culture and heritage; environmental best practices, community participation and empowerment; healthy lifestyle and strategic planning, according to a LivCom statement posted on its website.

Touted as the world’s only competition for local communities that focuses on environmental management and creation of liveable communities, the LivCom Awards encourage best practice, innovation and leadership in providing a vibrant, environmentally sustainable community that improves the quality of life.

Endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the LivCom Awards annually bring together some of the world’s leading innovators in the field.

The LivCom Awards were launched internationally in 1997 and being run as a UK Registered Charity.

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Ed Defensor: “Lin-ay sang Iloilo”, The Icon of Ilonggo Pride

By Ed Defensor

(Following are excerpts of the artist’s speech during the unveiling of Ilonggo Pride Statue, Lin-ay sang Iloilo, atop the New City Hall in celebration of 74th Charter Day August 25)

When the good mayor, Honorable Jed Patrick E. Mabilog told me that he wanted a symbol of Iloilo on the dome of the New City Hall, the very first thing that came to my mind was that “I had dreamed of this before.”

Yes, as early as 15 years ago I already dreamed of a commission that would enable me to mold the symbol of Iloilo in brass or in bronze – the image was already clear and complete in my mind.

I dreamed of it in the same scale as it is today, but on the ground. Never did I imagine that it would be standing on the top of a dome and make history as the first of its kind in the whole Philippines.

What you see is the graceful figure of a beautiful peasant lady standing valiantly and proudly on a harvested field of rice.

I envisioned a symbol associated with our rice industry because to my mind Iloilo could not be represented otherwise since we have always been known as the rice granary of the whole Visayas, and several times in our history, of the whole country.

And to me, since our great city is the making of our great province, Iloilo therefore is both city and province. Thus, a symbol for one may as well be a symbol for the other.

What you see is a Lin-ay wearing the traditional bandana usually worn by farm ladies to protect them from the heat of the sun. On her neck she wears an ethnic necklace, symbolic of her ancestry, as she comes from a rich mythic past, from the Maragtas, the “Barter of Panay,” and the long line of heroic datus that peopled the island of Panay.

Her right arm cradles a bunch of harvested rice, symbolic of our prosperity. Her left hand holds another symbol of prosperity, the scythe or “garab” which has long been the traditional harvesting tool in the region. I remember when I was a child in the farms of Mina, Iloilo, whenever I saw a “garab,” I knew right away it is “good times” for it is harvest time.

She wears an embroidered blouse, symbolic of one of the popular traditional arts of the city and province. On top of it is a “sablay” of a “hablon,” the textile which contributed to Iloilo’s becoming the second city of the Philippines, next to Manila, at the onset of the 19th century.

The whole figure of the Lin-ay is highlighted by the “patadyong,” our native hand-woven wrap-around skirt, for which no other province is better known than Iloilo. As a bonafide historian I dare say that Iloilo has the best patadyong in the whole country.

The Lin-ay is standing on a pedestal with four sides carved with major assets of Iloilo – front shows rice-farming industry, at right is sugarcane, left is fishing industry and back depicts education since Iloilo is considered as the educational center of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Thus, I have outlined the meaning, symbolism and history of the “Lin-ay Sang Iloilo.”

I would like to thank the good mayor for his vision, love and passion for Ilonggo culture and art, for conceiving this project and making history for the city.

Consequently, I would like to thank our donor, a beautiful person who truly loves Iloilo, a philanthropist in the true sense of the word, who gives without any strings attached, who has no political ambition whatsoever, and most importantly, who does not want to be mayor and who wants to remain anonymous, unknown even to the beneficiaries of this project.

I would also like to thank the valiant workers and carpenters of the City Hall building for braving all odds, dangers and threat to life in bringing the Lin-ay up to her pedestal to stand there forever as the symbol of the greatness and pride of Iloilo. Their applause after the Lin-ay was perched will forever be embedded in my heart and memory.

Lin-ay sang Iloilo was unveiled during 74th Iloilo City Charter Day celebration on August 25, 2011.
 

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source: http://www.iloilotoday.com

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4-hour civic-military parade marks Iloilo City’s 74th Charter Day

TWVillavert

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) -- Mayor Patrick Jed Mabilog said that the overwhelming support of the various sectors in Iloilo City in the observance of the City’s 74th Charter signals the unity of the Ilonggos towards the attainment of the goal to make Iloilo City the premier city in the near future.

Mabilog was happy to note that the August 25 civic-military parade, which was participated in by some 15,000 Ilonggos, lasted for almost four hours and was overwhelmingly successful.

He said that the relevance in celebrating the 74th Charter Day has achieved its goals to create awareness among the younger generation the history and development of Iloilo as a city. The other objective of the observance was to arouse community sense of pride of place, and to showcase the celebration as a link to culture and heritage.

“It is with pride and honor as we undertake this great opportunity to showcase our rich Ilonggo history, heritage and culture, and of course, our rapid growth, progress, and sustainable development as an emerging vibrant metropolis.It is very pleasing that the city’s glorious past emblazoned in the pages of history books has come to life once more – as we renew and strengthen our loyalty and dedicate our sense of pride to our homeland,” Mabilog said

Mabilog said that The theme “Dakbanwa sang Iloilo , Bugal Ko” (My City, My Pride) manifests our sense of ownership and love of our place which we will always treasure and be proud of.


Historical accounts had it that Commonwealth Act No. 57 which was later amended by Commonwealth 138, converted Iloilo into a chartered city on August 25, 1937.

The month-long celebration was opened last July 20, 2011 at SM Activity Center, with 41 events and with the highlights on August 25, 2011, which was declared as a special non-working day in the City of Iloilo through Proclamation No. 203.

The activities included the search for Mr. and Miss Iloilo City, Grand Charter Parade, Rigodon de Honor, and search for "Dungog sang Dakbanwa sang Iloilo" and most outstanding City Government employees, exhibits, inter-school newscasting competition, concert, oratorical and extemporaneous speaking contests, food festival, mangrove planting, Barangay Day celebration, bloodletting, folk dances, tourism and historical quiz bee, goodwill basketball games, mass wedding, fashion show, medical and dental mission, Mayor's Ball, job fair, city tour launching, diskwento sale, and dance fest.

Highlighting the 74th Charter Day was the unveiling of the “Lin-ay sang Iloilo” statue on top of the dome of the seven-storey new Iloilo City Hall.

The Lin-ay sang Iloilo statue depicts a “lin-ay” (lady) wearing a traditional “bandana” or a piece of cloth wrapped around her head and worn by farm girls to protect them from the heat of the sun, and the whole figure is highlighted by the “patadyong, ” a native hand-woven wrap-around skirt, for which no other province is better known than Iloilo.

Among other features, the figure’s right arm cradles a bunch of harvested rice, symbolic of prosperity, while the other holds a scythe, which has long been the traditional harvesting implement in Western Visayas.

This was among the description of professor Ed Defensor, an Ilonggo artist who designed the “Lin-ay Sang Iloilo” statue during the unveiling ceremony held after the civic-military parade.

The bronze statue has a height of 19 feet and was donated to the city government, costing more than a million pesos, Mabilog said as he emphasized that the new Iloilo City Hall will be inaugurated on January 2012, but the city government will occupy the building before the year ends.

(JSC/TWV-PIA6 Iloilo)

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Iloilo posts remarkable rise in rice, corn production

Iloilo View - Agri and Terrain Beauty

By: Francis Allan L. Angelo

MORE than half of Western Visayas’ palay and corn production during the first three months of 2011 came from Iloilo, according to the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB).

Citing data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), the NSCB said Region 6’s 1st quarter palay and corn production significantly improved by 52.3% and 78.7%, respectively.

“More than half of the region’s total production comes from the province of Iloilo being the top producer of palay and corn in the region,” the agency said.

Palay production for the 1st quarter reached 642,749 metric tons (MT), higher by 220,675MT than previous year’s production of 422,074MT.

The remarkable rise was brought about by 78.9% increase in rainfed palay production and 35.5% hike in irrigated palay. High yield was recorded in the provinces of Antique and Iloilo posting a growth of 114.2% and 93.4%, ruspecvively.

Corn production in the region increased by 78.7% (47,615MT) during the same period. Iloilo province improved its production by 131.1%, from 31,138MT in the#1st puarter of 2010 to 71,956MT in 2011.

Iloilo contributed 66.6% to the regional total corn production while Negros Occidental posted an increase of 31.3%, from 16,860MT in 2010 to 22,144MT this year.

Capiz is next to Iloilo in terms of palay production, contributing 15.3% to the regional total followed by Negros Occidental (14.3%) and Antique (11.0%).

For corn, Negros Occidental followed Iloilo with 20.5% share. Guimaras had the least contribution for both palay and corn production during the 1st quarter of 2011.

source: The Daily Guardian

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More than 12,000 to join Iloilo City's 74th Charter Day Parade

Iloilo City on the Rise

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 23 (PNA) – More than 12,000 participants from the City Hall, national government agencies (NGAs), schools, non-government organizations (NGOs), barangays and festival contingents are expected to join the grand civic parade here to highlight this city’s 74th Charter Day on Aug. 25.

“We are enjoining everyone to celebrate our Charter Day. This is part of our identity and pride as Ilonggos,” said Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog.

Administrative officer Armand Dicen of the City Tourism and Development Office, who oversees the parade preparation, said thousands will join the activity

The biggest number of participants will come from the city government and schools, which will combine almost 10,000 people, he said.

Road closures will start at 6 a.m. to 12 noon from La Paz plaza fronting La Paz Maternity Center, Burgos St. to Huervana St. when facing towards Gaisano City to Bonifacio Drive, passing Forbes Bridge up to Iloilo Provincial Capitol to F. Caram Avenue to Iznart St. facing Plazoleta Gay to JM Basa St. up to Freedom Grandstand.

Mabilog, Cong. Jerry P. Treñas and city councilors will lead the parade from La Paz district plaza starting 7 a.m.

Participants from NGAs will assemble at Mabini St., La Paz; NGOs and school delegates at Treñas Boulevard (beside Gaisano City); and barangay groups and festival performers at the Promenade near Drilon Bridge.

Adding color to the parade are various drum and bugle corps from city public and private schools, and performances of festival groups representing Dinagyang and Paraw Regatta during the program at Freedom Grandstand.

Mabilog institutionalized the Charter Day celebration when he became mayor last year.

Iloilo, as a chartered city, was formally inaugurated on Aug. 25, 1937 after the surrounding municipalities of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo and Arevalo were merged with the progressive town of Iloilo on July 16, 1937, by virtue of Commonwealth Act No.158.

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Iloilo City to Host First Nat'l River Summit

By Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO CITY – The city government here will host the First National River Summit before the end of this year and expected to set the pace of river development with the private sector.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the summit was inspired by Livable Communities (Livcom) Award garnered by Iloilo City during a ceremony in Chicago, USA last November 2010.

Mabilog said the city will spearhead the national conference of about 40 to 50 local government units in the country invited to participate in a two-day summit showing the best practices in 9 to 11 rivers in the Philippines.

On the other hand, Senator Franklin M. Drilon is urging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Rivers of the World Foundation to co-sponsor the summit slated last week of October or early November this city.

Drilon said he is strongly supporting the river summit to call people’s attention on the importance of the river to everyday life and for the future generations.

In the Philippines, there a total of 14 river systems intercrossing of different rivers. Eight of these are in Panay Island that greatly needs rehabilitation, conservation and massive watershed development.

In Western Visayas alone, there are 881 rivers, 27 lakes and 42 lagoons, while the province of Iloilo hosts major river systems such as the big Aganan-Tigum and Jalaur-Suague, among others.

Iloilo City on the other hand, hosts four tributary creeks and two major rivers that are considered as “arms of the sea’ for having water source from the sea. These are the 15-kilometer Iloilo River that divides the seven city districts and the Batiano River in Molo-Arevalo area up the municipality of Oton, Iloilo.

The city government, with the help of Drilon is currently conducting massive rehabilitation and clean-up of the Iloilo River by demolishing illegal fishpens and fishtraps, other illegal structures and establishing an esplanade project at the river banks.

More than 300 houses of informal settlers along the river are set for demolition and relocation.

source: http://www.facebook.com/notes/lydia-pendon

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Nice Future Plan: Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Tourism Strategy and Action Plan

Rich in culture, heritage, and flavor, the Iloilo Province and Guimaras Island are brought together in the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Tourism Strategy and Action Plan. In pursuit of economic cooperation, efficient infrastructure, and tourism promotion and development, the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council was established. The council is composed of the City of Iloilo, the municipalities of Leganes, Oton, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, and San Miguel, and Guimaras Island.

To map out the potentials of the mini-region, a tourism strategy and action plan was prepared by Palafox Associates with a multi-disciplinary team of consultants.

While both provinces are sources of agricultural products, Iloilo has other means of income generation like fishery and cottage industries. Dubbed as “Mango Country of the Philippines,” Guimaras primarily relies on crops, including rice, coconut and cashew nuts. International-class airport and terminals, and related infrastructure allow tourists to visit and enjoy what the region has to offer.

Upon analysis, issues such as coordination among the localities, poor marketing strategies, and improvement of infrastructure need to be addressed.

Palafox proposes the development of community-based hotels and resorts, inspired by the community’s identity or probably vernacular architecture. Incorporating the terrain in residential communities and hotels especially along hillside areas gives added premium to the property. This can be complemented by tourism circuits like, fishing wharfs, sports centers and ecological parks. Several tourism circuits were defined based on destinations of heritage tourism, arch-tourism, agri-tourism, gastronomic tourism, and many others.

source:

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palafoxassociates.com

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Power firm constructs facility starting Aug. 7

A RENEWABLE energy firm will begin construction of a biomass facility in Iloilo province this month.


Global Biomass PLC Corp., a Philippine-based company focusing on development of biomass fuel solutions, said it will begin construction of the US$ 4-million research, development and manufacturing facility in Mina municipality on August 7.


In a statement, David de Montaigne, Global Biomass Group chief executive officer, said the 5,000-square meter facility will be known as the Global Biomass PLC Corp. Research Development and Manufacturing facility (GBC R-D-M).


“It’s the very first of its kind in the world. The GBC R-D-M will conduct research, develop, design and manufacture equipment to support the harvesting, collection, transportation, storage and processing of agricultural wastes for use as an alternative to fossil fuels, as well as biomass fuel transportation and handling systems for biomass power plants,” Mr. de Montaigne said.


Mr. de Montaigne said they are seeking registration under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 that facilitates the grant of incentives to manufacturers within the renewable energy industry to encourage investment.


“All of this equipment is being designed to help farmers efficiently gather and transport biomass wastes such as rice and corn straw, coconut, banana, pineapple and other biomass residues that Global Biomass PLC Corp. will purchase from farmers and consolidators to use as an alternative fuel that will displace imported fossil fuels,” he added.


Power plant


Meanwhile, Global Green Power PLC Corp. said they are awaiting the approval of the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) rates for renewable energy producers by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) before completing the 35-megawatt biomass power plant also located in Mina town.


The biomass plant will be operated by Green Power Panay Philippines Inc., a sister company of Global Biomass PLC under the Global Green Power.


Global Green Power said the approval of the FiT "will help alleviate the power shortage in Panay and its adverse effects to the local economy while mitigating climate change.”


Maribeth de Montaigne, Global Green Power PLC president, said government should encourage the development of renewable energy technologies that are less expensive than newly-built fossil fuel power plants.


"It is for the nation to decide which of the renewable energy technologies are to be deployed in order to harness clean power within the Philippine archipelago. It is, however, a national disgrace not to encourage, maximize and deploy with all possible haste, renewable energy projects such as Thermal Biomass Grid Connected Power Plants (TBGC) that provide less expensive power than newly built fossil fuel power plants, while delivering extraordinary levels of socio-economic development," Ms. De Montaigne said.


Ms. De Montaigne said fossil fuel plants, specifically coal plants that have received ERC approval, deliver energy prices in excess of P8 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to electric cooperatives and distribution utilities when fuel-pass through is added to their bill.


Global Green Power said its proposed TBGC power plants will deliver power at P7 per kWh through the Renewable Energy Act’s Feed-in- Tariff, should the National Renewable Energy Board’s (NREB) proposed rates are approved by ERC.


Ms. De Montaigne said the company's P7 per kWh electricity price is subject only to the Philippine Consumer Price Index (CPI), minimal Foreign Exchange Rate (FX) fluctuations and has no fuel cost “pass through” burden to the consumer.


"The FiT rate pricing structure will afford Philippine consumers a less expensive and stable power price based on basic cost of living (CPI) increases within the Philippines. In addition to a stable and reasonably predictable energy price, Global Green Power PLC Corporation TBGC power plants provide extraordinary socio-economic development within rural areas," she added.

source: daily guardian

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